Writing a CV that stands out

Do you know that on average, recruiters spend just seven seconds looking at a CV before deciding whether a candidate is suitable for the role? Well, it’s true. First impressions are super important, none more so than when getting that CV looking all spick and span. 

In this blog article, I’m going to help you”get back to basics” if you will. A chance for you to see some of my top tips when it comes to writing a CV and the basic necessities that are often forgotten. Children often forget how to tie their shoelaces. Well, as adults we forget how to properly and correctly write a CV.

So if you're like me - and want to get a leg up on the competition, see my tips for writing a CV that’s going to make YOU stand out.

What to include on a CV

CV stands for Curriculum Vitae. Which is Latin for “Course of one's life”. If you're writing a course of your life - you’d better make it a good one! 

Most people tend to get stumped right from the get go purely by being ignorant about what actually needs to be included on a CV. Which is why I’ve compiled this handy little six step checklist to help you figure out just what you need to include on your CV. With a checklist, you can easily assess your resume and ensure that it increases your chances to be selected for the next step in whatever career path you are on!

1) Check for potential improvements to your job objective

If your objective isn’t clear - change something. If you have no objective in mind - decide on one! Employers don’t want to see indecisiveness on a CV.

2) Make sure to have a clear and concise initial summary

As I said earlier - often 7 seconds is all it takes for an employer to make an initial decision. So your initial summary needs to be on point. 

Be quick about highlighting your USP’s (Unique Selling Points) and don’t be afraid to show some personality!

3) Prioritise the presentation of your experience 

Your contributions or achievements cannot be understated. This is your chance to truly brag about yourself. Showcase extensive market knowledge and be thorough in listing accurate and correct information on all past employers. 

4) Personality, personality, personality!

Oh and did I mention, PERSONALITY? Create a CV with genuine feeling for YOU on a personal basis; A CV that truly reflects who you are and what you’re about. After all - they’re hiring a human being, not a robot. (Yet)

5) Proofread 62 times

Okay this is a slight exaggeration. Possibly. 

Ensure that you have proofread every inch of your CV. And once you’ve done that - go and get your spouse, bestfriend or dog to read it as well. Spelling mistakes are not a good look.

6) Make it pleasing on the eye

Nobody wants to sit and read a boring looking piece of paper, all the same sized font with no white space or interesting details.

Overusing underlines, bold font and capital letters can be unprofessional too. So make an effort to keep your CV as aesthetically pleasing as possible. 

How to write a Personal Statement 

This part of your CV gets its own section. Because it’s critical. I would even go as far as saying that if you have a poor personal statement, you won’t be getting the job. 

A CV personal statement is first and foremost a concise paragraph or summary which details what you can bring to a job or company. It's also known as an opening statement, personal profile, personal summary or executive summary. And let’s be honest - if it has the word executive in it, it must be important. 

Sitting at the top of your CV, it's your opportunity to sell yourself to employers and to highlight the relevant skills and experience you possess.

While effectively and succinctly convincing hiring managers that you're a good fit for the role, a personal statement gives you the chance to show off your strengths and share your career goals. 

The focus of your CV statement should be to target your offer and goal to employers and outline why they should hire you above everybody else. Therefore, making your personal statement as unique as possible is crucial to ensuring that you stand out from the crowd. 

References

Another key part of any CV. Your references section should be clear, concise and to the point. There should be no beating around the bush when it comes to adding your references. You should include a minimum of 3 names, numbers, emails whilst also outlining the relationship that you had with that person. 

Employers tend to like it when you have versatility in your references. What I mean by that is ensuring that you have different kinds of references. One professional, one educational and one social. That way your employer can get the full scope of who you are should they contact your reference. 

Should you include a cover letter for your CV?

There’s nothing quite like a bit of personalisation when it comes to making your CV stand out. If you can tailor a cover letter directly to one specific employer - you're already one step ahead of the majority of the competition who “could not be bothered”. Remember you should only be applying to jobs that truly excite you; so writing a cover letter for that company shouldn’t feel like a chore.

There’s another key benefit to a cover letter: It gives you another opportunity to tell your story without over cluttering your CV. Some companies actually value cover letters more than the CV as this is where things get personal. 

The cover letter is an opportunity to introduce yourself and your story before you get an interview offer. While you get the chance to exhibit your qualifications for the job and explain what makes you a good fit, an employer gets to know more about your current situation. For example, you may have left a previous employer and are trying to start a new career path, or you're an entry-level employee who's looking to gain professional work experience. The possibilities are endless.

My best tip when it comes to including a cover letter, is to send one even if you aren’t required to. Confused? Let me explain. 

If a company doesn’t require one, do it anyway. If a company doesn’t even mention the need to add one with your CV, do it anyway. If a company doesn’t offer the ability to upload one online, email them directly with a cover letter. You want to stand out right? This is your chance. 

Conclusion

Okay, you’ve got your checklist, you now know the importance of references, proofreading your writing and adding a cover letter, what next?

Repeat these good habits whenever you're applying for a new job. 

It’s as simple as that. 

Remember as well - the world is changing. What makes a good CV today certainly didn’t make a good CV 20 years ago. And definitely won’t make for a good CV 20 years from now. Like anything in life, it takes practice. 

Be yourself, get creative, use helpful resources, and for goodness sake: back yourself. There’s nobody else like you. Embrace that.