How to Make your CV Stand Out

Your CV needs to make a good first impression. Fast. 

As the head of a HR Consulting firm, I have seen plenty of CV’s — some great, and some, not so great. Like myself, I know that many other professionals in this industry have to review many different profiles, so what makes one CV stand out against the rest? 

Research shows that hiring managers and recruiters spend around 7-30 seconds on a CV, leaving you with a tiny window to convince the reader that you’re a top candidate for the job. 

The most captivating resume is the one that seems to match all the requirements of the job, including hard and soft skills, accomplishments, work experience and degrees.  

You might think it’s a good idea to include as much information as possible, but this approach can backfire. Employers are looking for candidates that understand the role they are applying for, and the more you can demonstrate this, the more your CV will stand out.

But what kind of resume will help you secure that first interview? 

My team and I have come up with these 7 tips for anyone looking to make sure their CV is in top shape; 

1. Use a clear and structured layout

You only have a few precious seconds to grab the recruiter’s attention before they decide whether your CV is worth a closer look, or if it goes straight to the bin. For this reason, it’s crucial that your CV has a clear and structured layout where different sections are clearly outlined, and essential information is easy to grasp even when quickly scanning through the page. Begin with a summary section tailored to the job, followed by clear titles and paragraphs for your experience and qualifications. 

2. Customize your summary to the job

The summary section of a CV is your chance to set the tone and make a good first impression. Briefly present your skills and key accomplishments, and make sure to tie them back to elements of the job that you’re applying for. 

Avoid being generic, instead highlighting why you are the best candidate for this particular position. Put some time into researching the company and job description to determine why you would be a good fit, and exactly what skills you should point out to back that up. 

3. Emphasize quantifiable results

How much product did you sell? How much money did your company save due to your efforts? What was the size of your budget? How many people did you train or manage? 

Companies are looking for employees that can bring results and make a difference to the bottom line, so rather than listing responsibilities of your previous jobs, make sure to emphasize quantifiable results. 

For example, instead of saying “I was responsible for Company X’s sales in the east region”, make sure to highlight the impact of your involvement; “Responsible for the east region and increased sales with 38% by restructuring the organization, developing a competitive incentive system and implemented a sales ERP system. 

4. Optimize with keywords

Most recruiters use database software to help find the right applicants. If your CV doesn’t include specific words related to the role, your application might be filtered out by the software before ever even landing on the recruiters desk.

When writing your CV, take some time to really study the job description, the company and the industry, and pinpoint keywords describing relevant skills, experience and even company culture. Once identified, sprinkle those keywords in your resume, as that’s exactly what both the recruiters and the software algorithms are looking for. Just be careful not to go overboard - make it look and sound natural rather than stuffing every sentence full with keywords. 

5. Keep it simple and avoid embellishments

A visually appealing CV is certainly a plus, but keep in mind that it’s a professional document with the purpose of helping you land your next job. Steer clear of eccentric fonts or colors, and focus on keeping it simple, clear and to the point. 

How? 

Keep sentences short and concise. Use bullet points to present key facts and numbers. Avoid long paragraphs and add plenty of white space to make the layout easy on the eye. Avoid clutter and unnecessary embellishments. 

6. Be concise

When writing your CV, it’s incredibly tempting to include every single career moment and highlight to impress the reader. But listing all your accomplishments might not be doing you any favors. On the contrary, it could make it more difficult for the hiring manager to spot the key points that make you relevant for the job.

Recruiters are looking for facts and achievements that relate to the position. Include what’s relevant, and keep the length of your CV to no more than two pages. Don’t be shy to leave some of your experience out, especially anything that wouldn’t be too interesting in the context of the role, company or industry that you’re applying for. 

7. Work in reverse chronological order

When writing about your experience or education, it should always be presented in a reverse chronological order. This means starting from your most recent position or diploma, and working your way down. As the most recent information is the most important, always put it first. 

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I am the Managing Director of Grow HR, a Shanghai based Human Capital Consulting firm specializing in Executive Search and Consulting Services in Greater China and the APAC region. Our core business is identifying and assessing outstanding talents and recruiting them into leadership roles. We cooperate with a diverse group of select clients – including Fortune 500, entrepreneurial business, and family owned companies – to find the ideal professional who fits their specific requirements.

If you would like to get in touch with me send me a message on LinkedIn, or reach out to our team of specialists at [email protected]