You're not alone if you’ve ever applied for a job and never gotten a job invite. Recruiters and hiring managers receive hundreds of CVs for a single job post. Studies show that, on average, they spend only 6 seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to keep reading or move on.
That means your CV needs to grab their attention immediately. In this guide, we’ll explain how to make your CV stand out in those crucial 6 seconds so you can land more interviews and job offers.
Before a recruiter reads a single word, they notice the format of your CV. If it looks messy, cluttered, or difficult to read, it’s heading straight to the deleted folder. Here’s how to design a CV that leaves a good first impression:
Keep It Clean & Simple: Use a professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman). The recommended size should be 11 or 12. Try to avoid fancy designs unless you’re in a creative industry.
Use Clear Headings: Section your CV properly: Personal Information, Summary, Work Experience, Skills, Education.
Bullet Points Over Paragraphs: No recruiter wants to read a wall of text. Short bullet points make it easier to scan.
White Space is Key: A crowded CV is overwhelming. Leave space between sections to improve readability.
Your summary (or profile) is the first thing a recruiter reads. It should sell you in just 2-3 sentences. It tells the recruiter what you do, your key skills, and a measurable achievement all at one quick glance. In case you don’t know how to go about it, here’s how to write a killer summary:
Bad Example: “I am a hardworking and dedicated person looking for opportunities in marketing.”
Good Example: “Results-driven marketing professional with 3 years of experience in social media strategy and campaign management. Increased brand engagement by 45% in my last role. Passionate about digital marketing and content creation.”
Most job seekers make the mistake of listing duties instead of achievements in their work experience. Employers don’t just want to know what you did. They want to see how well you did it.
Bad Example: “Handled customer queries and complaints.”
Good Example: “Resolved over 100+ customer complaints per week, improving customer satisfaction scores by 30%.”
Many South African companies use ATS software to filter CVs before a human ever sees them. The truth is if your CV doesn’t contain the right keywords, it might get rejected automatically.
How to Beat the ATS:
Read the job ad carefully and use the same keywords in your CV.
Example: If the job post says “digital marketing” and “SEO,” don’t just write “online marketing”. Match the exact words.
Avoid using tables, images, or fancy fonts. ATS systems cannot read them properly.
Recruiters scan this section in seconds to see if your skills match the job.
How to Structure It:
List hard skills like technical abilities such as Excel, Python, and Social Media Marketing.
List soft skills like interpersonal skills such as Leadership, Teamwork, and Communication.
Prioritize skills that are mentioned in the job description.
You’d be surprised how many people forget to include an email or phone number in their CV! Make sure your CV has:
Full name
Professional email (no “[email protected]”)
LinkedIn profile (if available)
Location (City, e.g., Johannesburg, Cape Town)
We know it can be tempting to just want to send your CV and get it over with. But avoid this temptation. Endeavour to tailor Your CV for every job application. Don’t use the same CV to apply for a different position or company. Customize your CV for each application by tweaking your summary, skills, and work experience to highlight what’s most relevant for the job.
In case you are wondering what power words are, they are action verbs used to highlight your experiences and skills to make your CV stand out. You want to avoid the use of passive language in your CV. Strong action verbs like "led," "managed," "increased," "developed," and "implemented" show impact and initiative.
View 100+ Power Words to Make Your CV Stand Out
Not many job seekers have certifications included in their CVs, so when a recruiter or employer sees a CV with one, it instantly catches their attention. So the idea here is to highlight any relevant certifications or online courses you’ve completed. This shows continuous learning and makes you stand out from the crowd.
View 10 Best Free Online Courses for Upskilling and Learning
Having an online portfolio instantly gets your CV noticed. Provide a link to your online portfolio or LinkedIn profile so recruiters can learn more about you and see your work.
As mentioned earlier, recruiters receive lots of CVs. On average, they get no less than 100+ CVs. So you want to make sure your CV is not too long else it will be ignored. We understand that sometimes you might have a long career history. As such you may be tempted to want to capture all of that. The important thing to note, however, is that no matter how long your career history is, your CV should never exceed 2 to 3 pages.
View How To Write a CV in 2025 (Free Sample CV Included)
One of the easiest ways to ensure your CV gets thrown into the deleted email folder is to send your CV without a cover letter. A cover letter can make all the difference between getting noticed or rejected. Note that your cover letter, like your CV, should be very specific to the job you are applying for. A common mistake applicants make when writing cover letters is talking about themselves as opposed to what they can do for the company they are working for. For instance, an applicant applying for a digital marketing role will have a cover letter that begins like this:
“Dear Hiring Manager,
My name is Tunde Okoya. I studied Zoology and finished with a second-class upper from Ekiti State University. ”
Now the question is, “What is the correlation between Zoology and Digital Marketing?” If there is none, why should you start like this? This is what a recruiter immediately sees and shoves aside. What can you do then? Highlight specific skills and experience that show your digital marketing expertise. Leave out irrelevant details across board.
Avoid overwhelming recruiters with unnecessary information. Stick to the skills, achievements, and experiences that directly relate to the role you're applying for. Be strategic about what you include. When it comes to getting your CV noticed, less is often more.
A CV with typos or errors can ruin your chances instantly. After writing your CV, take time to proofread it carefully. Reading it out loud can help you find mistakes. Even better, have a friend or relative review it. Fresh eyes often catch mistakes you might overlook. Constructive feedback can also make your CV better.
Recruiters love to see initiative! If you’ve volunteered, freelanced, or worked on side projects, include them. It shows dedication and passion.
Think of your CV like a billboard on a road. Recruiters are speeding past, and you only have a few seconds to grab their attention. If you apply these tips, you will definitely increase your chances of standing out, getting more interviews, and landing your dream job.
Should you need help, try our free CV builder
Leave a Comment