How to make your CV as unique as you
*This post was originally published in July 2016 and has been updated.
CVs are a welcome hot topic at Comma Sense Towers. A well-written, structured CV that reflects your skills and experience as much as the person you are is a must. With strong competition for almost every vacancy these days, showcasing what makes you unique will help your CV to stand out from the crowd.
CV writing for professionals, students and graduates
It’s that document we all need but none of us enjoy writing! I love using my digital copywriting skills to craft CVs that give people a leg up to the next stage in their career.
These are examples of some of the job seekers I have done this for:
A college student applying for an apprenticeship course ✅
A recent graduate struggling to get shortlisted for any role they applied for ✅
A subject matter expert preparing for possible redundancy ✅
A highly experienced professional looking to escape a toxic workplace ✅
An ambitious young team leader who suddenly found themselves out of work ✅
All of the above went on to achieve their personal objective within weeks of using their new CV. My clients have been headhunted on LinkedIn, invited to interview, and secured an apprenticeship that would be the foundation for their future.
Whichever rung of the career ladder you’re on, it’s essential that you have an accurate and up to date CV to showcase your talents and achievements to their fullest.
Why is writing your own CV so difficult?
Natural modesty is the most common reason. I call it the fear of ‘bigging yourself up’. It’s really hard to market yourself to prospective employers, especially if writing isn’t your strong point.
Your CV is one of the most important documents you’ll ever write. It has the potential to shape your future career and your future self. The quality of your CV could be the difference between achieving your dream career and stagnating in a role you don’t enjoy. This is why it’s sometimes easier to engage the help of an experienced CV writer to create your CV.
An independent, tailored approach to CV writing
When I’m creating a CV for a client, I approach it like any other piece of marketing material. I start by asking lots of questions to get under the skin of my customer. I listen intently and use everything I’ve learned to tailor the CV to my audience - that’s the recruiter.
I highlight the person’s key skills and match these to a specific vacancy, sector of work, or type of role that interests them. Tailoring the CV to a specific vacancy has brought several recent successes, of which I’m really proud.
If you want to make your CV truly unique you can turn it into a designed masterpiece. I saw a graphic designer’s CV on LinkedIn created as an interactive video game - it was utterly brilliant! You might get away with such a unique approach in a creative design or marketing context but for the majority, it’s a standard written CV you’ll need.
How to make your CV stand out from the crowd
Whether you’re a student searching for part-time work, a graduate going for your first full-time position or looking to progress to the next stage in your career, here are six tips to create a CV that showcases your talents in the best possible way.
Keep it simple: This is a general rule I adhere to with every piece I write, whether it’s a CV, web copy, or a leaflet. We’re all short on time, so be brief and to the point. Unless they’re essential, try not to use acronyms, technical terms or jargon that a recruiter may not understand.
Make an impact at the top: You have seconds to make a great first impression, so don’t put your contact details at the top. Instead, write an impactful personal statement that stops your reader in their tracks and makes them want to know more about you.
Fill any gaps in your work experience: If you’ve been travelling, temping, volunteering, been made redundant or been doing part-time work, be honest about it. Don’t leave any gaps in your work experience history. These could be the difference in you being shortlisted or not.
Add some personality: A CV might be a formal document, but don’t be afraid to sprinkle it with a little personality. A company is hiring a person, not a list of skills and achievements. The ‘Other Interests’ section is a good place to add any unique hobbies or activities you enjoy outside of work. Don’t forget to include details of volunteering, fundraising and community roles too.
Focus on your achievements: Many people make the mistake of writing a list of responsibilities in their CV rather than the results of these actions. Talk about your achievements using numbers where possible to demonstrate impact.
Proof for errors: To me this is an obvious one (I would never dream of submitting any of my work without checking for errors!), but you’d be amazed at how many people skip this step. Use a spell checker, a tool like Grammarly, or ask a friend or family member to review your CV and give you feedback before you submit your application. When you spend so long writing a document you can become immune to its errors, so a fresh pair of eyes is essential.
Can’t I get AI to write my CV?
You can get AI to write anything. But that’s the point. An AI generated CV is nothing special. It’s generic. No matter how good your prompts, the result won’t reflect your qualities and personality. It will make you blend into the crowd rather than stand out from it.
Is that what you want?
Or do you want a CV you can be proud of, that shouts ‘this is me!’?
Writing your CV is a challenge but one you’ll be thankful you spent time getting right. But don’t struggle in silence - if you need help, you know where to find me.
Good luck with your job search!