A well-crafted CV is the key to unlocking career opportunities; it serves as your personal brand, presenting you to hiring managers and recruiters who have the power to open the door to your ideal career. When you and the recruiter have never met, your CV becomes the first—and sometimes only—impression they have of you. In a competitive job market where every candidate is doing their best to showcase their skills and experience, the challenge is not just about listing achievements but making them compelling. So, how do you ensure your CV rises above the rest and truly stands out?
Recruiters and hiring managers often skim through applications in seconds, so job seekers need to ensure their CVs make an immediate impact. From clear formatting and compelling summaries to quantifiable achievements that demonstrate real value, the right elements can make all the difference.
To uncover what sets outstanding CVs apart, we’ve gathered insights from recruitment experts Zoe Chatley, Penny Sommerfeld, and Sophie Minihane. They share what catches their eye, the must-have details that signal a strong candidate, and the common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you’re refining your own CV or advising job seekers, their expert advice will help create applications that resonate with hiring teams.
Let’s dive into their key strategies for creating a CV that demands attention.
Zoe Chatley
Founder & CEO
For us, a clear and concise CV layout is crucial to get noticed.
A short summary about the role and company you worked for, followed by clear bullet points summarising your key responsibilities.
In addition, a subsection detailing “key achievements” is also good, bullet pointing your top 3-4 key achievements.
If you’re in sales. give an indication as to how you have performed, the markets you have sold into, and successes/ awards, etc
Marketing, specifics about key areas you focused on, what you managed, campaigns you worked on and what went well.
Overly lengthy biographical-charged CVs that take too long to read and are not laid out simply will hinder your application process.
Clear, concise – to the point wins the race, especially in a sales or marketing led role.
Penny Sommerfeld
RecruitBlock
With 20 years of experience, I specialise in senior and executive recruitment within the crypto and Web3 space. I partner with ambitious businesses to identify visionary leaders who can drive growth in the ever-evolving sectors of blockchain, DeFi, NFTs, and digital assets. By offering tailored recruitment strategies, including executive search and salary benchmarking, I ensure that companies are equipped with the right leadership to thrive and innovate in today’s dynamic and disruptive digital landscape.
As a recruiter specialising in Business Support within the legal industry, my expertise lies primarily in Secretarial and Administrative support roles. Whether you’re an experienced Legal PA, Legal Secretary, or an aspiring candidate aiming to step into one of these roles, your CV is your first opportunity to demonstrate your suitability.
I can quickly gauge your ability to perform the job by assessing key elements such as grammar, formatting, academic achievements, and overall consistency. If your CV appears disorganised or poorly formatted, it raises concerns about your capacity to maintain the high standards required to support my clients – lawyers who rely on polished and efficient representation.
If you’re aiming to establish or advance your career in the legal industry, consider the following advice:
Sophie Minihane
New Vision Recruitment Limited
Excel Academically and Showcase Your Achievements: Academic performance is highly valued, so display your grades prominently at the top of your CV as a mark of excellence.
Perfect Your CV Formatting: Ensure your CV is impeccably formatted with no grammatical or spelling errors. Consistency is crucial – if you use bullet points for one role, maintain that style throughout your CV. Avoid mixing bullet points with block paragraphs.
Keep It concise and relevant: Limit your CV to a maximum of three pages. Focus on detailed descriptions of your most recent roles within the last 10 years, as this provides the most relevant experience. Earlier roles can be summarised more briefly.
Consider Job Stability: Frequent job changes without clear justification can negatively impact your career prospects. In the legal industry, stability and reliability are highly valued, and too much movement can create doubts about your commitment and trustworthiness.
The legal industry is fiercely competitive. By presenting a meticulously crafted CV, you can significantly enhance your chances of standing out and securing your desired role. Let’s outshine the competition by showcasing the best version of your professional profile!
By implementing the CV strategies shared by experts Zoe Chatley, Penny Sommerfeld, and Sophie Minihane, job seekers can craft applications that capture recruiters’ attention and improve their chances of securing interviews. From clear formatting and concise summaries to showcasing achievements and maintaining consistency, these insights highlight what makes a CV truly stand out.
The key is to tailor your CV to your industry while keeping it structured, relevant, and easy to read. Whether you’re in sales, marketing, or the legal sector, presenting a well-organised and compelling application will always work in your favour.
Take these expert tips as a guide to refine your CV and position yourself for success. The next step is yours.
