CVs can be a minefield at the best of times. How much information should I include? What is the difference between an achievement, and me just doing my job? How long should my CV be? How can I get it past ATS? And what is ATS?!
In the current climate, job seekers and professionals are contending with the very subjective task of waxing lyrical about their career achievements while also trying to anticipate what on earth a hiring manager is even looking for in a CV. They are also expected to combat the challenges and complexity that continually evolving technology adds to job searches, candidate vetting, and the overall recruitment process.
On that basis, making your CV truly stand out in 2025 will require a good old dose of engaging, concise and effective writing that appeals not only to the human reader, but is also compatible with online platforms and automation technology like Application Tracking Systems.
But how can I write my CV to be engaging, concise and effective, AND to get through ATS?! Here are some top tips:
- Applicant Tracking System:
As mentioned above, oftentimes before your CV is even read by a human, it may likely be processed via an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). A good CV will have that in mind, and, generally speaking, for a CV to be optimised to perform in ATS, it should be no longer than two pages, include sections for your professional profile, a list of key skills, your career history in reverse chronological order including all dates of employment, your education, professional development such as training courses or workshops, and any miscellaneous details such as technical skills, languages or voluntary work. Keywords are particularly important for ATS optimisation, and as such, should align with the keywords for the role for which you are applying.
- Achievements:
As mentioned in a previous article, you must set your modesty aside when it comes to your CV. I understand there is a line to be drawn between an achievement and you just doing what is part of your job description; however, it is important to recognise where you have gone above and beyond. Clearly delineating your achievements under each job summary on your CV will draw the reader’s eye to this whilst also placing the achievements in the context of each role, and each stage of your career. Even better if you can quantify your achievements using numerical performance data.
- Personality:
This doesn’t mean using loads of graphics, formatting and an eye-catching colour scheme (see more about ATS to see why this is not advised). Imbuing your personality into your CV is about the details that set it apart from simply reading as a job description. It builds out the document so that, despite it being a piece of paper or words on a screen, the reader can really understand your USPs as a potential employee. Do you thrive on developing people professionally and helping them to achieve their potential? Add that to your CV! Have you got a track record of identifying issues and generating solutions that other people usually miss? Mention it and explain the benefits to the business or team.
The personal aspect of the CV can extend beyond your professional life as well. Do you volunteer in your spare time? Are you on the Board of Trustees at your children’s school? Do you have any interesting hobbies? While the reader doesn’t need to read your life story, it can be helpful to know you are a human being. Anything that is going to expand on not just what you have done, but how and why you have done it based on your values or motivations, will build up a livelier and more engaging picture of you as an employee.
- Tailored:
So does this mean that you need to completely rewrite your CV each time you apply for a new job? Fortunately not. However, it is worth reviewing job descriptions, particularly the summary of essential skills and experience highlighted by the company and checking that you have included clear examples that evidence how you meet the criteria. Remember not to take for granted that you will be selected for the next stage because you meet the criteria - you have to make it very clear to the reader (and for ATS) that your skillset matches their requirements, especially as you will be competing with other applicants. There is only a certain amount of reading between the lines a recruiter can do.
In addition, it is important to gain knowledge of the wider context in which the company operates, the latest trends or areas of focus of their respective industry, the mission of the organisation and any problems they may be trying to address. Understanding this and referring to your experience of solving similar problems helps to align your CV more closely to your target role.
These tips combined can be a very effective way of ensuring your CV not only stands out in a vast sea of applicants, but that your skills, capabilities and attributes are done justice in a highly competitive, increasingly global and dynamic, job market. If you would like some assistance navigating the complexities of applying for a new job, feel free to contact me. I can help!
