Putting Your Best Self Forward: Tips to Creating a Stellar CV

In today’s competitive job market, your CV isn’t just a formality that checks a box. It’s your golden ticket to landing that all-important interview!

The reality? Hiring managers are flooded with applications by the minute. They don’t have the luxury of reading every CV in detail to get the best impression of you. Instead, they’re racing against the clock to find the right candidate—a talented professional with shared company values, who fits in with their team and gets the job done. No pressure.

A well-structured, tailored CV can be the difference between getting shortlisted or being overlooked. So, how do you make sure your CV stands out from the crowd for all the right reasons? Let’s break it down.

1. Keep it Short, Sharp & Simple

As we’ve established, recruiters typically only have seconds to skim through your CV, so clarity is key. Aim for no more than two A4 pages, focusing on your most relevant experience and skills. Where you can, show results!

For example, instead of saying you’re “great at problem-solving,” give real examples. Use quantifiable achievements such as:

✅ “Increased sales by 20% in six months.”

✅ “Led a project that reduced costs by 15%.”

2. Essential Information

CV’s typically follow a certain structure which helps your prospective employer find out key information about you quickly. Here’s what we recommend including:

🔵 Personal Details
Your name, phone number, and email should be easy to locate. After all, you want to stay ‘top of mind’ for employers to contact. Professional profiles such as LinkedIn are also a good idea to include, as well as any relevant links to promote your work e.g online portfolios and websites.

💡Top Tip: Be mindful of what social media pages you’re linking to. Pictures of you partying on a Saturday night with friends are great to share on Facebook, but it may be detrimental when it comes to giving your prospective employer the wrong first impression. Take a moment to review your online presence & keep it professional.

🔵 Career History
List your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent job first). Include job titles, company names, and dates. Temporary or voluntary work also counts—just be sure to explain any employment gaps.

💡Top Tip: Showcasing voluntary work is a great way of personalising your CV as it showcases projects of personal interest and provides the opportunity to highlight transferable skills

🔵 Personal Profile/About you section
This is your elevator pitch. A few concise sentences highlighting your strengths, skills, and career goals can make a big impact. Tailor it to the job you’re applying for, reflecting on the employer’s key requirements.

💡Top Tip: Look out for keywords included in the job description from the role you are applying for. These are qualities your hiring manager will be looking for.

🔵 Qualifications, Training & Achievements
 Include your education and certifications, starting with the most recent. Mention grades and dates where applicable and don’t forget to highlight achievements relevant to your role.

💡Top Tip: You can also include key skills here such as languages you may speak or mention your knowledge of specific software programmes.

🔵 References
 List at least two references, ideally including a recent employer. If references aren’t available immediately, you can write “Available upon request.”

3. Formatting & Final Checks

Polish off that CV before submission with this list of final edits:

✅Use a clean, professional font (we recommend Arial or Calibri.)

✅ Keep spacing & layout easy to read- no busy colours or cramming text

✅Spellcheck, spellcheck, spellcheck! Typos can cost you the job if it implies you’ve put little care into reviewing your work. Make sure you’re happy with what you’re putting forward to hiring managers.

✅Always bring a printed copy of your CV to interviews. It can serve as a useful reference and demonstrated initiative to potential employers .

💡Top Tip: If you need help structuring the look of your CV, try free templates available on Microsoft Word or Canva. This will keep everything looking professional and provide the opportunity to give your CV a personalised touch.

Ready to perfect your CV?

Creating a standout CV doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By keeping it clear, concise, and tailored to your target role, you can make a lasting impression on hiring managers. Remember, your CV is more than just a list of jobs—it’s your personal marketing tool.

To help you get started, we’ve put together some free, helpful resources to download.

Need additional support? Contact our team

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