Having a CV that stand’s out can make a huge difference in a job interview. As even if you don’t get that particular job, many employers hold onto CV’s to remember candidates if any positions should open up in the future. To help you out, here are a few ways to make your CV stand out from the crowd.
1. Have a pop of colour
Even though a CV is a serious document, it doesn’t need to look drab and dreary, sometimes just a pop of colour can make a huge difference, and help it stand out from the crowd. But it is important to remember not to go overboard, as it still needs to be professional.
2. Strong vocabulary
Using strong vocabulary is essential when writing your CV. Impressive vocabulary can help set the tone as serious and give your CV a little extra flair. But it is important to use vocabulary that you understand, as employers can tell when you have added in words for the sake of it.
3. Highlight achievements
Everyone’s achievements are different, so it is important to highlight these. Whether it is an academic achievement or something you have done outside of school, like winning a sports competition or raising money for charity.
4. Size matters
It is crucial to remember quantity as well as quality when you are writing your CV. One side of A4 is generally accepted with a max of a double-sided page. You need to have written enough to let your employer know about your education, experience and achievements.
Writing too little is not a good sign, as it suggests that you have not done enough to make you suitable for the role. But writing too much is also frowned upon as it suggests you do not know how to select key and relevant information. Plus lengthier CV’s will take more of their time to read through.
5. Check, Check, and Check it again
Although it’s important to make your CV stand out, this needs to be for the right reasons and definitely not for spelling or grammar errors. You need to check your CV multiple times, and maybe even ask your parents or a teacher to check it as well.
6. Include social media
It can also be a good idea to add social media accounts on your CV, as long as they are professional and don’t have anything you wouldn’t want employers seeing on there. LinkedIn and a Facebook page could be a good option for this.
An advantage of this would be allowing your potential employer to learn more about you in addition to your CV, which could also enable them to see some of your previous work.
7. Consider adding a photo
When you are working on your CV, it may be worth adding a photo of yourself, as it can help give employers you have never met a face to put with the name. If you want to include a photo, this should be a professional one, perhaps a headshot.
8. One CV does not fit all
It would be best if you edited your CV to specifically fit the job you are applying for. This doesn’t mean making stuff up, but including or removing information depending on the job you are applying for. If you are applying for a job in sales, it will be useful to include any retail experience you might have, whereas if you were applying for a job in a kitchen, this might not be relevant.
Depending on the job you are applying for, you could also consider being a bit more creative. Over the past few years, numerous CV’s have gone viral due to their creativity. For example, one student applying to be a chef wrote their CV in the style of a recipe. Whereas someone applying for a job in fashion submitted a very modern CV on a t-shirt.
If you’re worried about your CV not standing out because you don’t have enough to fill it, why not try one of these online courses?
