Turning recruiters' heads can be a difficult feat. When you're looking for type: entry-hyperlink id: 49bDmWAxTuYmEW1fmnmj74, the first step is creating a CV that shows off your skills and experience. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, three of our best CV writers – Amanda, Elizabeth, and Jen – share their tried-and-tested CV tips to help you shine and stand out from the crowd. 

1. Create a compelling narrative 

Your CV is more than just a professional summary – it needs to type: entry-hyperlink id: 6TbxF29OY8qlcp8hGvtR4m. Don't whack it all on the page haphazardly. Your aim is to weave a narrative that will pique a recruiter's interest. Ideally, you want to show them how the plot has unfolded so far and where their company fits into your next chapter. 

“Employers want to see more than a timeline of a candidate's type: entry-hyperlink id: 5vsqC8meaYHBsD78uqLFTo and experience. They want a CV to read like a story, explaining why the applicant is qualified for the job they desire,” says career.io’s lead career advisor Amanda Augustine. “Instead of listing everything a candidate has ever done or learnt, I focus on emphasising the details that support the client's goals and downplaying or omitting those that don't.” 

2. Keep it short and snappy 

You might be telling a story, but it's not an entire novel. Recruiters take an average of seven seconds to look at each application. They don't have time to sift through loads of information. For that reason, one of the top CV tips to remember is to be selective when deciding type: entry-hyperlink id: 5jEnLbbNjlhs8aE6qq345E on your CV. 

“It’s all about relevance,” explains Elizabeth Openshaw, a CV expert with over 13 years of experience. “As long as you stick to including information that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for, you can’t go far wrong. By doing that, you should produce a succinct and targeted document that will set you up for success.”

3. Quantify your achievements 

This is one of the best CV writing tips to turn type: entry-hyperlink id: 33GIkFOcK8nqEVfiVFdbBf into a great one. It's all very well telling recruiters that you're the best thing since sliced bread, but have you got the evidence to back it up? When you're writing your CV, you need to consider how you can prove your value to a potential employer. The more proof you have, the better your chances. 

“This CV criteria is, by far, one of the most important, as it helps recruiters and hiring managers to appreciate and monetise your talents,” says Amanda. “In order to offer proof of a candidate's qualifications, I will ask them for specific examples, type: entry-hyperlink id: 350hMrliBxhK6ICMBRht4H, or case studies that illustrate their abilities. I try to quantify their contributions and achievements wherever possible, to demonstrate the value they've created for past employers. If a client hasn't held a job that can be described in this way, my goal is to look for ways to prove to the reader that this candidate is good at what they do.”

4. Tailor your CV to the job 

“Make sure that everything on your CV is relevant to the job you're applying for – keep it laser-focused so that the reader doesn't have to wade through reams of irrelevant detail and can immediately see why you're suited to the role,” advises certified CV writer Jen David.

Using a one-size-fits-all approach when applying for jobs won't get you far. In fact, it's one of the type: entry-hyperlink id: 3UOheaNvXTDeZHQHNnE2V4 people make. Among the all-too-important CV tips you’ll hear, doing your research and understanding what the recruiter will be looking for can’t be emphasised enough. Know what they require and highlight these key skills and type: entry-hyperlink id: 6HtVU7ULyKpsytS7qIXTm on your CV.

“Think of your CV as a strategic marketing document, rather than a laundry list of everything you've even done and learnt,” adds Amanda. “The information should be curated to clearly showcase the relevant skills, education, and experience you've acquired throughout your career that qualify you for the role you're currently targeting.” 

5. Play down irrelevant job roles

If you have a varied or extensive career history, you may have held positions that don’t align with this vacancy. Choose whether to omit these positions entirely or only briefly mention them. Since they’re not the thing that will win you the role, it’s smart to downplay them on your CV.

“It's alright to minimise the details for those positions that don't support your current career goals, to highlight only certain aspects of other jobs that demonstrate your qualifications, or to dedicate more CV space to a position that best represents your relevant skill set,” says Amanda. “Pick and choose the information you share.” 

6. Don't overcomplicate the design 

Think that a jazzy design will land you that interview? Think again. While you might be dazzled by some of the more elaborate type: entry-hyperlink id: 171OxTEw3fjuJGa2gjFYMr out there, the last thing you want is to overwhelm the recruiter. When it comes to CV tips, the golden rule is to keep things super simple.

“When it comes to what your type: entry-hyperlink id: 7ES6dMsav1OZchi9CNA7Qt, less is truly more,” says Amanda. “My colleagues and I purposely avoid custom formats and elaborate designs that make it difficult for employers to quickly find the information they care about. We write CVs with clean, consistent layouts that make it easy for readers to understand a candidate's career story.” 

7. Get past the Applicant Tracking System

The Applicant Tracking System is software that can filter CVs by type: entry-hyperlink id: Ckttb84bAYeDPNrlX0xe2. When recruiters are looking to fill a specific role, they may use this technology to shortlist applicants. Put simply, the software will scan your CV looking for specific words or phrases. If the software doesn't find enough matches, your application may not be successful. 

“It's important to be certain that every CV we write is considered ‘type: entry-hyperlink id: 50l6AtsSO9Z0XJ3v5DoWW7,’” says Amanda. “In addition to using a type: entry-hyperlink id: FDN3ByMGOZF9udVOLf7w7 and design that's compatible with applicant tracking systems, I also optimise each CV based on a specific job description or group of job descriptions to ensure that the most frequently used terms are incorporated into the document.”  

Wow recruiters with your CV

Perfecting your next application doesn’t have to be hard. Remember: your main goal is to create a streamlined, tailored-to-the-role CV that recruiters will want to read. Get started with these top CV tips from our professional career experts, and you’ll easily be ahead of the pack and well on your way to type: entry-hyperlink id: 3sdOIHJvcecidag0XSVAMT.

Don’t leave anything to chance when it comes to your career. Check out our CV writing services and let our team of experienced professionals help you create a clear, compelling application that wins interviews. 

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