Whether you’re fresh out of school, you’ve just graduated from university or college, or you’re simply looking for a change, job hunting is not easy. The job market is highly competitive, and you need to have that something special to make yourself stand out in the best possible way

A good CV is the first step to success, but it can be difficult to know what to include and how to structure it. Hopefully, we can make things a little easier with some tips on what recruiters like, dislike and are really looking for in your CV.

7 tips to optimise your CV

First impressions count, and your CV makes that first impression long before you get an interview. Here’s how you can put your best foot forward:

1. Avoid fancy layouts

Although you want to stand out, avoid busy illustrations and bright colours. You can perhaps break this rule in an artistic field, like design, but for most corporate jobs, it’s best to go with a clean, simple layout. Use simple font like Calibri or Times New Roman and avoid informal fonts like Comic Sans.

2. Keep your CV short

Since your CV is your chance to convince the recruiter that you deserve an interview, it’s tempting to add every little detail. But recruiters go through many CVs a day and just don’t have time to read it all – in fact, a long CV can make your application less desirable. Keep your CV down to 2 or 3 pages at the most. Highlight your greatest achievements and key skills, to show the recruiter that you’re capable. Also add a link to your LinkedIn profile to give recruiters more context about you. You can bring up any fine details and achievements that you haven’t mentioned in your CV during the interview

3. Use simple formats

You may be tempted to stand out with a fancy unique touch like submitting your CV as a PowerPoint presentation or a video, but you should resist the urge. Stick to PDFs or Word docs – they’re the commonest formats that most recruiters use.

4. Link to a portfolio

You may have worked on some amazing projects and really want to show off your skills without bulking up your CV. Create an online portfolio showcasing your work and add a link to the site in your CV. The recruiter can then go through your work if they want to. You can use platforms like WordPress to create a simple online portfolio or hire a professional to help you.

5. Use keywords

To save time and filter out the ineligible applications, companies use software that scans CVs for keywords that are relevant to the position. For example, they’ll scan job applications for a sales position for keywords like ‘customer relationship management’, ‘strategic sales planning’, ‘lead generation’, and ‘revenue growth’. Include relevant keywords in your CV. This is another reason why format and layout are so important – they shouldn’t confuse the software and trigger an automatic rejection.

6. Tailor your CV to the application

Don’t use the same CV for every application. Just like you’d use different gear for hiking and snorkelling, you need to tailor your CV to fit the position that you’re applying for. For a more client-focused role, you’d want to showcase your people skills and highlight relationship building. For a job that’s more focused on admin or data, you’d give priority to your analytical skills and attention to detail.

7. Proofread your application

You wouldn’t go to an interview with a stained shirt or untidy hair, so make sure your CV is presentable as well. Proofread your CV and application before sending them off. Get friends and family to read it too – a fresh set of eyes may pick up errors that you have missed. Proofreading tools like Grammarly can also help you correct spelling and grammatical errors. Obvious language errors in your application documents make a bad first impression, because they could indicate that you don’t check your work carefully.

Start applying today!

Putting together a CV that makes an impact on recruiters is only the first step – then you need to apply for as many positions as possible. Explore job openings at Nedbank too. For more tips and guidance on navigating the job market, stay updated with YouthX for growth and networking opportunities. Let’s get you on the path to success!