3 ways to make your CV stand out from the crowd!
When you are applying for a job, whether it’s your first one, a completely new one or a promotion within the same organisation, your CV is the first chance to make a good impression. It’s the thing that sets you apart from the rest. According to Team Stage, only 2-3% of sent CV’s result in an interview – carry on reading to find out how yours can be included in that small percentage!
Catch the employer’s attention.
The most important information on your CV should appear at the top of the page. The average time spent reading a CV is 30 seconds, according to CV Help, so keep it relevant. This might include your profession, any relevant qualifications or a short personal statement that succinctly tells the employer why you’d be best suited to the role.
Highlight your value
Instead of simply listing your previous roles and the responsibilities you held, you should make sure you mention 2-3 concrete things you have achieved for your former employer in each role. Or, if you are a graduate, what you have experienced and achieved during your time at university. According to Finance Online, 34% of hiring managers pass over resumes with little to no measurable results – so, be sure to quantify your achievements!
Taking care of the big picture
Choosing the right CV format is a single, relatively big decision, but what makes a good CV is also a series of many small decisions. These small decisions add up to the big picture of your CV – from how clear and easy navigating your CV is, to what it says about your English skills and attention to detail. Use subheadings and as much white space as you can to visually break your CV down into sections and subsections.
We know that the average time spent reading a CV is only 30 seconds. You don’t need pages and pages of paper. Stick to a maximum of two pages and have confidence that your CV is an introduction and that you can elaborate further on your skills during the interview process. According to Reed, 91% of recruiters called two pages the perfect CV length!
If you are a graduate or searching for your next role, we have put together a CV template to stand you out from the crowd! Click here to download it now.
