Creating a standout CV: do's and don'ts

By Emma Feasey , Services Manager at Young Women's Trust

Job hunting can be tough, so congratulations on taking the first step! We know from experience that whether you’re applying for a role or simply updating your CV, getting started can feel daunting. But before diving in, take a moment to reflect on your strengths and qualities. Imagine what someone who thinks highly of you would say are your best features. You’ve got this—let’s turn that confidence into a standout CV.

What are the do’s and don’ts of a good CV?

Here are some crucial do’s and don’ts we’ve learned from supporting thousands of young women with their CVs and job applications through Work It Out, which is our free coaching and job application feedback service.

Do:

1. Tailor your CV to each role?

• Each time you apply for a job, your CV needs to be carefully tailored to match the specific role.
• Using the job description and person specification as your guide, emphasising your most relevant skills, experience and achievements.??
• Whilst this can be time-consuming, it gets easier over time as you build up a bank of content you can use.??
• Keep a robust ‘master CV’ so that you can adapt for each application. Save it in easily accessible folders – not just in your email sent box. Your future self will thank you.

2. Write a personal profile?

• This is your elevator pitch to the recruiter- a concise summary of who you are, what you’ve achieved, and what you will bring to the role.?
• Focus on why you’re the right fit for this opportunity and this organisation.?A good example: A compassionate, diligent healthcare assistant with four years’ experience. I have consistently provided high-quality care to hundreds of patients in fast-paced clinical environments across NHS and private settings.?
• Keep it short and sweet – a short paragraph at most. Make every word count.??
• Spend time fine-tuning this section each time you apply, tailoring it to the specific role you’re applying for.??
• Use strong descriptive words, like ‘energetic’, ‘innovative’, ‘resourceful’. ?

3. Big yourself up

• Use impressive language – swap out “I helped with…” for “I played a key role in…”
• This is your moment to shine! It can feel a bit awkward to ‘sell yourself’ or ‘show off’ but remember, the recruiter is looking for the best fit for the job, and you want that to be you.
• Include volunteer experience and other relevant skills and responsibilities outside work – it all counts!

4. Keep it simple

• Lay out your CV so it’s clear and easy to read, remembering that a busy hiring manager may be looking at dozens of CV’s, spending just a few seconds on each one.

Don’t

1. Just list duties under each job role

• Paint a picture! Highlight what you did, the skills you used, and the results you achieved.
• Give specific examples and include a sense of scale. A good example: Provided critical support to a busy marketing team of over 10 members, successfully met all reporting deadlines for three consecutive years, contributing to a 20% increase in campaign turnaround times.

2. Include a photo or full address

• There’s no need to include these details on your CV.

3. Copy and paste directly from AI tools

• Don’t use AI-generated content from somewhere like ChatGPT word for word as it can sound robotic, and similar to other candidates who have done the same.
• Use these tools for ideas and prompts, but then edit the content into your own words. Check out our blog on this topic here.

Reasons why writing a standout CV is beneficial for your job application

Your CV is often the first thing an employer or recruiter will see about you, so it’s important to make a strong first impression. In a nutshell, your CV showcases your skills and experience, and lets the employer know you’re the right person for the job. It’s your opportunity to demonstrate that you’re a good fit for the role they’re hiring for, and can hopefully lead to an interview or the next stage of the recruitment process. Good luck!

Join our upcoming webinar on how to write a great CV and make it stand out?for more tips and tricks, plus the option to get more detailed support in a small group after the webinar.