For long, studies have shown that recruiters spend the least time possible looking at a CV before deciding whether a candidate is suitable for the role. 

First impressions are, therefore, critical to success, in this regard, here are five simple yet effective ways to make your CV appealing!

Start strong

Start with a summary of your skills and key accomplishments. This will attract the recruiter and grab their attention from the outset. 

Include your activities, experiences, courses and skills. It’s crucial to include everything that shows how you have gone that extra mile to develop and grow professionally. Remember to add in personal interests - it´s a chance to show how interesting you are! 

Emphasise results rather than responsibilities

Instead of just listing your past responsibilities, make your CV stand out by emphasising your results, using quantifiable data to show your accomplishments. 

So for example, instead of saying "I helped to increase social media engagement for Company X”, write "I increased social media engagement by 38% for Company X”.

Clear layout 

Make sure your CV is easy to read. Employers don’t have too much time to spend reading CVs so make sure the important information like your achievements is clear and easy to find.  

Keep your CV short and concise to keep a recruiters attention, it should not be longer than two pages.

Customise for the job you want

Respond directly to the job description and explain exactly why you are the candidate for the role. 

You can do this by relating your accomplishments to the elements of the job role.

Employers want candidates to understand the role they are applying for, and the more you can demonstrate this, the more your CV will stand out.

It might take longer for you to write your CV, especially when applying for a large number of roles, but it if it helps you to find your perfect position then it is time well spent!

Show industry insight

An awareness of the industry you are applying for will show the recruiter that you have the ability to stay on top of trends.

You will be a lot more attractive to employers if you are able to demonstrate knowledge of the industry, so make sure you are up to date with any news and industry changes. This will also help you if you reach the interview stage.