Make Your CV Stand Out!

Let’s talk CVs! It’s that one document that can make or break your chances of landing the next opportunity. Whether it’s for a job, scholarship, or graduate school, your CV is often the first impression you give—and we all know how important first impressions are!

I’ve been reflecting on some of my recent conversations about CV writing, and a review session I had. And I can say that it's usually those small details that can take your CV from average to outstanding. Since we're already aware of some basics to include in a CV, I wanted to share those small but important details that might just give your CV the boost it needs.

1. Keep Your CV Consistent—No Matter What

What does consistency mean in the context of a CV? It’s not only about having a readable font (which, by the way, is super important). It’s also about keeping the font size the same throughout the document, except for headers and section titles. Recruiters typically spend less than 10 seconds scanning your CV, so if it’s hard to read or looks messy, they’ll move on. Think of it this way: your CV should be easy on the eyes, guiding the reader through your story with minimal effort.

Treat your CV like a billboard. Imagine someone driving by quickly—you want them to catch the most important information without getting overwhelmed. That's how it should be.

2. Clear, Clean, and Straight to the Point

Have you ever seen a CV and felt lost trying to figure out what the person actually did? That’s what happens when there’s no clear structure. Break down your experiences into sections like “Work Experience” or “Projects,” and use bullet points (simple bullet indicators). Each bullet point should start with an action verb like “Led,” “Developed,” or “Implemented,” followed by what you achieved.

No need for personal pronouns. It’s not “I led a team,” but “Led a team.” This keeps things professional and concise. Plus, it adds to that feeling of “this person gets straight to business.”

Action verbs help readers grasp your accomplishments quickly.

3. Tailor It to the Job or Program—Always

Here’s the thing: a one-size-fits-all CV doesn’t really exist. It’s tempting to use the same CV for every application, but that’s a missed chance to really showcase why you’re the perfect fit for that particular role. The job description or program requirements are giving you all the clues. Use the keywords and skills they’re looking for, and make sure your experiences match up.

Eg: let’s say you have experience as a salesperson. If you’re applying for a research position where the job highlights survey work and strong communication skills, you could emphasize your ability to connect with customers, making them return for more purchases because of your communication skills.

You could write:

Engaged with over 100 clients, resulting in a 30% return customer rate due to exceptional communication and understanding of client needs.

On the other hand, if you're applying for a role in business development or marketing, you could adjust the same experience to focus on targets and results, like this:

Exceeded sales targets by 25% through strategic product placement and customer engagement, resulting in higher client retention.

See how one experience can be reframed depending on the job? It’s all about highlighting the skills that align with the specific role. The more closely your CV mirrors the requirements, the better your chances!

4. Results Matter

A good CV doesn’t just list what you did—it shows the impact you made. Instead of writing “Responsible for managing a team,” you can say, “Led a team of 5 to complete a project two weeks ahead of schedule, improving client satisfaction.” That’s the difference between saying you did something and showing how you made a real difference.

I’ve found that numbers really speak to recruiters. Quantify your achievements whenever possible. It gives them a tangible sense of what you’ve done and the value you bring.

5. It’s the Little Details That Count

Small mistakes? They add up. Be mindful of your formatting: date ranges should be consistent and aligned. If you’re using abbreviated dates (like “Sept.”), stick with that format throughout. List your education and experiences in reverse chronological order, and if you’ve graduated recently, you can include your GPA (if it’s above 3.0). Leave out high school experiences unless you’re early in your career—it’s time to focus on your professional achievements.

6. Avoid Flashy Graphics

This one can be tricky, especially for those who like to add a little flair. But unless you’re applying for a creative role, graphics, pictures, and colors can distract from the content. The focus should be on your skills and experiences, not on design elements. Keep it simple and professional.

Think of it like this: your CV should be professional, not flashy. It's tempting to stand out visually, but you want to stand out through your qualifications.

7. Proofreading: Your Best Friend

I can’t emphasize this enough—proofread your CV thoroughly. After you’ve gone over it a few times, have someone else look at it. We often miss our own mistakes, and a fresh set of eyes can catch things you might overlook. A typo or grammar mistake can leave a negative impression, no matter how great your experience is.

Your CV is more than just a list of experiences—it’s your personal story, told in a professional way. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for someone to understand what you bring to the table, in just a few minutes.

Till I write to you again…You are loved! ??