Most jobs now are getting over 100 applicants in their first week.

When you apply, your CV joins a pile. If you aren’t using a recruiter, a hiring manager will likely spend a couple of hours cutting that list down to a shortlist. Spelling error? You’re gone. Generic blurb about vague career aspirations? See you later.

You’ve got 10 seconds to make an impact, so your CV needs to work hard.

I looked at 7,861 CVs this last year. I do it for a living. And you’d be surprised the mistakes people make. This should be taught in school – but it isn’t.

Here’s what you need to know about the best CVs.

They Use Tailored Content  

If you are using the same CV for every application, stop! You are wasting time and opportunities.  

A little time spent on each application might seem tiring, but what’s more tiring is the constant rejection that comes from not doing it.  

Spend the time to tailor your CV to the job you want.  

Make it relevant and let your future employer see you understand their needs and are the right fit for them! 

They Outline Quantifiable Achievements 

People don’t want to just read that you met your responsibilities or ”increased sales”. They want to hear about your accomplishments.  

How much did you increase those sales? Was it by 30% in your first 6 months? Or was it over 100%? Engagement and providing tangible achievements will get you more interviews.  

Plain and simple. 

They Have Visual Appeal 

This one is simple.  

You wouldn’t turn up to an interview in thongs and a singlet, so don’t let your CV do the same.  

It needs to be visually appealing and well organised. It is, after all, a reflection of yourself and your future employers first glance at who you are.  

If you are at a loss of what you should use, speak to a recruiter. They will be more than happy to give you further insight.  

Don’t want to? Google is your next best friend.  

PDF Over Word Every Time 

This won’t apply every time, but it could, so start doing it. 

Send your CV as a PDF.  

You have no idea how many people take issue with DOCX files, and I guarantee it will be the one time that you do, that it will go to a hiring manager that finds it unappealing. 

So just don’t do it.  

Ever. 

If you’d like to learn more about how to make your CV stand out, or would like to have a more broader career discussion either send me an email or give me a call. 

Because despite reviewing 7,861 CVs this year, I still love what I do. 

And what I do, is connect great people with great organisations. 

RUTHERFORD KENNEDY
Senior Consultant

Rutherford joined the team at Optimum in September 2022 with a background in law and customer service. His strength lies in being able to listen, identify and fully understand his client’s needs, and then deliver a timely and effective solution. Rutherford loves talking to people, understanding what drives them and is passionate about finding the right role that they will not only enjoy, but thrive in.