Crafting a CV: A guide on how to stand out in job applications

By Hannah Hodgetts

Crafting a CV can be difficult and confusing when there are so many different types and styles for every different career.

Hannah, one of our writers at Werk, runs you through her advice on how to create a personalised CV that will stand out in the working world.

Hannah’s guide on how to write a CV

With crafting a CV, it should be personalised for the job you are applying for and your skills should demonstrate what is stated in the job description. Werk spoke to Patricia Mellars, a ‘Placements, Employability & External Relations (PEER) Officer’ at the University of Sheffield, on how to create a ‘master’ CV and make it stand out to employers.

Patricia explains how you can use anything you have worked on and adapt it to transferable skills you can bring to the job role. Whether that is a project in schools, participation in team sports, a part time job or helping family members with jobs.

For University students, Patricia highlights how you can acknowledge projects, team work, part time jobs or societies that can relate to the job role’s skills required.

Patricia explains her tips on how to make your CV stand out, “Don’t just say I did this but how did you do it. Tailor your applications/CV to the job description and show some passion and enthusiasm for the role.

“Make sure you do lots of research on the company and the role, and make them aware you have done this. Take time to do an individual CV for every job you apply to, have a master’s and work from that.”

Additionally, when applying for a job it may require a cover letter, in which Patricia advised doing in sections. “At the top write about you and what made you interested in the role. Then research the company, what do you know about them and what will you add to it.”

Researching the company is key in every element of the job application process. Werk’s No1 tip for cover letters is to research a previous project done by the company that caught your interest and explain what you liked about it, what you could have added and potential new ideas you can bring to the company. Furthermore, explain similar tasks or opportunities where you have utilised the skills they are looking for in this role.

CVs and cover letters are that first step in the application process and the initial opinion employers will have on you, so don’t forget to put your personality across on the page.