How to Make Your CV Stand Out: Insider Tips From Our Recruiters
Your CV is often the first impression a recruiter or hiring manager has of you and here at CPL, we see hundreds of CVs every week.
There are some simple things that can make a surprisingly big difference.
So, we’re sharing a few of the “secret” CV tips we wish every candidate knew.
- Your CV doesn’t need to tell your entire life story
One of the biggest mistakes we see is trying to include absolutely everything.
Your CV should be relevant, focused and easy to read. You don’t need to list every responsibility you’ve ever had if it doesn’t help demonstrate why you’re right for the role you’re applying for.
Think about the job you’re applying for and highlight the experience, skills and achievements that are most relevant.
Our tip: If a recruiter can quickly understand what you do, what you’re good at and what you’re looking for, you’re already off to a great start.
- Your most recent experience matters most
Recruiters want to understand what you’ve been doing recently, so don’t bury your latest experience at the bottom of the page.
List your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
For each position, include your job title, employer, dates of employment and a few concise points explaining your responsibilities and achievements.
- Don’t just list your duties – show what you achieved
There’s a difference between saying:
“Responsible for managing a team.”
…and:
“Managed a team of 10, improving productivity and ensuring daily targets were consistently achieved.”
The second tells the recruiter much more.
Where possible, include results, numbers and achievements. Did you increase sales? Manage a team? Reduce costs? Hit targets? Complete projects? Improve processes?
These details help your CV stand out.
- Tailor your CV to the job
This is one of the simplest tips and one of the most overlooked.
You don’t necessarily need a completely different CV for every application, but you should make sure your CV reflects the requirements of the role.
Look carefully at the job description. If the employer is looking for someone with customer service, leadership and Microsoft Office experience, make sure those skills are clearly visible if you have them.
Recruiters aren’t looking for a reason to reject you – they’re looking for evidence that you could be a good match. Make it easy for them to find it.
- Keywords really do matter
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to help manage applications.
That means your CV may be searched for particular skills, qualifications or job titles before it reaches a hiring manager.
Using relevant terminology from the job advert can therefore be helpful – as long as it’s truthful and genuinely reflects your experience.
For example, if a job description asks for “account management” experience and you’ve done exactly that, don’t simply describe your experience as “dealing with customers”. Be specific.
- Keep the formatting simple
We love a creative CV, but when it comes to recruitment, clarity is king.
Avoid excessive graphics, complicated layouts and unusual fonts that can make your experience difficult to find.
A clean layout with clear headings, sensible spacing and consistent formatting makes your CV much easier to read.
As a general rule, aim for around two pages where possible.
- Check the basics before pressing send
It sounds obvious, but spelling mistakes, incorrect dates and inconsistent formatting can make a poor impression.
Before submitting your CV, check:
- Your contact details are correct
- Your employment dates make sense
- Job titles are accurate
- Spelling and grammar have been checked
- Your email address is professional
- Your phone number is correct
- The document has a sensible filename
And please don’t accidentally send a CV named “CV_FINAL_FINAL_v7_NEW.pdf”!
- Explain career gaps – don’t panic about them
A gap in your CV isn’t automatically a problem.
People take career breaks for all sorts of reasons – travelling, caring responsibilities, redundancy, studying, looking after family or simply taking time to work out their next move.
You don’t need to provide a huge explanation. A brief, honest note is usually enough.
Recruiters are interested in the whole person, not just a perfectly continuous employment history.
- Don’t undersell yourself
This is perhaps the biggest piece of advice we’d give candidates.
Many people are very good at doing their job but struggle to explain what they’re actually good at.
Think about the skills you’ve developed throughout your career. Maybe you’ve trained colleagues, dealt with difficult customers, managed deadlines, solved problems, introduced new processes or taken on additional responsibilities.
If you’ve achieved something you’re proud of, put it on your CV.
- And finally… get another pair of eyes on it
Before submitting your CV, ask someone you trust to read it.
Sometimes we’re simply too close to our own CVs to spot mistakes or recognise where we’re underselling ourselves.
And that’s where a recruitment consultant can be particularly useful.
Our Permanent Recruitment Team works with candidates to understand their experience, career goals and ambitions – not just match keywords on a CV.
Rosie Branford and Hannah El-Najjar are here to help candidates make the most of their experience and identify opportunities that could be the right fit for their next career move.
Your CV doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to tell your story clearly.
If you’re thinking about your next career move, don’t be afraid to ask for advice. A fresh pair of eyes, a few simple changes and a little more confidence in your experience could make all the difference.
Looking for your next permanent opportunity? Get in touch with the Permanent Recruitment Team at Contract Personnel today.
01603 764044 – perms@cpl.uk.com
