How to make your CV stand out

If you have found your dream job vacancy, then you might be wondering how to make your CV stand out from all of the other applicants. After all, you want to make sure that your application is remembered for all of the right reasons. While it might be tempting to use an unusual design or quirky font, there are other factors which are more likely to be successful in ensuring that you make it through to the interview stages.

PUT THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS AT THE TOP

While you might have dozens of skills which are all valuable for different reasons, you should always make sure that the skills and certifications sections of your CV have those which are most relevant to your job at the top of the list. After all, if you are applying for a job as an accountant, your accountancy certifications are probably going to be more important to an employer than customer service skills.

REFERENCE THE JOB DESCRIPTION
Using keywords from the job description within your CV can help to make sure that your CV is processed in the right way.

CONSIDER REMOVING EDUCATION DATES
You don’t have to add the years you attended school or university to your CV and it might help to avoid issues with age discrimination if you remove them.

WRITE AN INTRODUCTION

This is your opportunity to leave a first impression. An introduction on a CV doesn’t have to be very long and it will usually only be one or two paragraphs in total. Writing an introduction is a good way of highlighting your most important skills and factors which will make you a desirable candidate.

REMOVE UNNECESSARY INFORMATION
Make sure that your CV is relevant. While you might be proud of your first job, it isn’t relevant if you have been working for more than ten years. You should also consider removing any experience which isn’t relevant to the industry you are applying to work in, unless there are transferable skills which can be mentioned.

DON'T MAKE IT TOO LONG
Generally, a CV should be no more than two sides of A4 paper, with all of the most important information on the first side. Recruiters have to read a lot of CVs and they don’t have time to go through a novel of your life. Keep it concise and maintain their attention.

Here at PDR we support all our candidates through the entire interview process ensuring that they are prepared and confident with attending interviews as well as CV preparation.