Writing a CV can feel like a monumental headache at times. How do I stand out against the hundreds of other applicants applying for this position?
How do I make sure this showcases my skills without sounding like an autobiography? Getting that balance of personality and relevant information is no easy feat -
you’re told to “highlight your achievements,” but what if your biggest win last semester was surviving on instant noodles and 4 hours of sleep?
Whether you’re applying for a part-time gig, an internship, or your first “real” job, here’s how to make your application feel human, confident, and actually worth reading
What exactly *is* a CV?
Think of your CV as a trailer for your life, a document that tells your story from high school to now. The keyword here is trailer! This isn’t a movie – you’re not telling your entire life story – just the highlights! If you have an idea of the direction you want to take this could make it easier. Aiming for a creative job? Maybe that art class you took could be worth a mention! You should try to keep it:
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1 Page Max:While you’re still early days - unless you’re applying to a tech or academic job.
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Tailored:Avoid being a Jack of All Trades! Keep it relevant. More isn’t always better!
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Easy to Scan:Recruiters spend seconds. Automated ATS systems are a thing too.
By tailoring it and making sure that you have parts that stand out for this job, you make sure that it gets noticed in that initial scan, or picked up by an Applicant Tracking System. This makes it more likely to get to that crucial stage where it gets properly read over by human eyes! If you’ve got limited experience, don’t panic. Focus on transferable skills—like teamwork, time management, or communication—and show how you’ve used them in real life. Think about other hobbies, or things you have done that could be relevant too! A good, generic structure you can follow is:
- Header: Name, contact info, LinkedIn (if it’s not a ghost town)
- Personal Statement: Who you are and what you’re aiming for. Short and Sweet. Relevant.
- Education: The important bits. GCSE’s, A Levels, Your Degree and expected graduation.
- Experience: Jobs, internships, volunteering—anything that shows responsibility.
- Skills: Software, languages, certifications – unless they’re minor and don’t fit the job.
- Extras: Societies, side projects, hobbies – This is where you can add a little flavour!
Cover Letters: Not Just a Formality
This is where you show why you want the role and why they should want you. With how many people dash their CVs at every opening in the current market, this can be make or break. You should do a little research on the company and try to call back to some of the job listing. Show them this is a genuine application, not just you throwing a one size fits all CV at the wall and hoping it sticks!
Do
- Address it to a real person (LinkedIn sleuthing helps)
- Mention the company by name and why you’re interested
- Highlight 2–3 relevant experiences or skills
- End with a confident call to action (e.g. “I’d love the chance to discuss this further”)
Don't
- Copy-paste generic lines like “I am a hardworking individual who works well in a team”
- Rehash your CV summary word-for-word
- Sound like you asked an AI to generate it, or like it’s a reusable template
Ez Wins and Common Mistakes
Here are some things you can do to make your CV catch a recruiters eye more consistently, and stand out from other applicants – as well mistakes you should avoid!
- Quantify stuff: Recruiters love numbers. You didn’t manage socials. You grew it by 50%!
- Use action words: Led, Created, Organized, Improved, Spearheaded etc. Google can help!
- Tailor EVERYTHING: If you’re applying to a creative agency, your tone can be more playful. For a law firm? Keep it crisp and professional. If your CV is a trailer, match the genre.
- Typos: Spellcheck, humans and AI make mistakes. Triple check your grammar.
- Weird Formatting: Keep it clean, and easy to read. No weird fonts, graphics or formatting.
- Oversharing: Your CV isn’t a diary. ‘I love Taylor Swift’ doesn’t belong unless you’re applying to a fan club!
You’re More Than Your CV
Your application is a snapshot—not your whole story. If you’re early in your career, employers know you won’t have a ton of experience.
What they do want is someone who’s curious, reliable, and willing to learn.
So be honest, be specific, and don’t be afraid to show a little personality. The right opportunity will value you, not just your bullet points.
