The art of writing a CV that stands out

How on earth do you write a CV that stands out from the crowd when everyone use the same methods and the same CV templates you can download online? Well, maybe it's not the form that matters, but what you actually say in your CV.

Adapt your CV according to the job
Your CV must be brief and concise, and should be no more than two pages long. Once you've created a CV where you've included your education and job history, you should make sure it suits the type of job you're applying for. Leave out the qualifications that are irrelevant for this job and emphasise the elements that show you're the right person for the job you are applying for. Instead of just listing jobs and tasks, you should describe what features and skills you have that would add value to the company.

If you haven't managed to acquire much work experience yet, try instead to demonstrate other skills that show you can provide what is needed. You might have been doing babysitting regularly or maybe you were involved in an association. Look outside the box!

Avoid clichés
Try to avoid empty phrases that say nothing about your skills. The recruiter who reads your CV wants a clear picture of what you can do and what you've done before. Give examples on how certain features helped you solve a problem or tackle a work related challenge.

Less is more
It might be tempting to write your entire CV in capital letters or to add lots of colour just to make your CV stand out. You can show personality and creativity but remember to always keep it simple. 

Eliminate careless errors
Before you send off your CV, run it through a spellchecker or ask someone to read it through in order to find any spelling or grammatical errors. Little mistakes may indicate that you're careless or not sufficiently interested in the job.