Whether you’re a student trying to find part-time work or a recent graduate, having a CV is the most vital tool in order for you to find a job.
With employers often looking at hundreds of CVs per application, its key to make sure that there are no mistakes and that yours stands out.
So, I asked Career Coach, Sandra Howarth, what she thought was the biggest mistake people make when crafting their CV: “The biggest mistake I see is CVs that all look and sound the same. Recruiters spend only a few seconds scanning each one, so a clear layout and tangible achievements make all the difference.”
Sandra’s tips for success
With only little amount of space, it’s important that your CV packs a punch straight away. Here is how Sandra believes you can do this:
- Using action verbs and measurable results — like ‘Organised 3 Student Events with 400+ attendees and securing £1,000 sponsorship’ is far more powerful than vague responsibilities.
- Tailoring your CV to the role is also essential. Keywords really do matter, not because you’re trying to ‘game the system,’ but because they show you’ve read the role carefully and matched your skills to what’s needed.
As the founder of Career Launchpad, Sandra has seen how even small changes can transform student outcomes from being overlooked to getting interviews and offers. She has pulled these tips together, along with a ready-to-use template reviewed by HR professionals, in her CV & LinkedIn Guide, which she says is “designed to help students stop second-guessing their applications and start showing up with confidence.”
Imparting words of wisdom
Having a portfolio of your work on hand to backup your CV can also strengthen your application. Nowadays, LinkedIn can act as a digital portfolio, displaying your work for you – this is why your social media presence is important: ensure that you have positive online content and that you behave professionally on all public accounts.
Furthermore, as you mull over your next CV think about this inspiring line from Sandra:
“A CV isn’t just a list of jobs — it’s your shop window, and it needs to make recruiters stop and look.”
