Showcase your strengths
A CV is the ideal document for showcasing your strengths in an honest and humble way. Applying for a job is like running a race: there can only be one winner. Sell yourself in a positive way without going over the top.
Not sure which skills to mention? We’ve listed a few below to help you get started. The vacancy itself is an important source of inspiration. Try to link your skills to the job requirements. Most importantly: be honest! There's a good chance your potential employer will ask you for specific examples of your skills during the job interview.
Example of skills to include on your CV:
- Communication skills
- Ability to cope with stress
- Social skills
- Organisation skills
- Leadership and coaching skills
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work in a team
- …
Make sure your list isn’t too long; limit it to the most relevant skills for the job.
Make sure your CV is clear, concise and error-free
Avoid spelling mistakes and typos at all costs! Even if it has no impact on your job performance, poor spelling comes across as unprofessional and makes a bad first impression. If you tend to make a lot of spelling or writing mistakes, ask someone with strong language skills to look over your CV before you send it.
In addition to being error-free, your CV should also be short, catchy and concise. You can share more details in your motivation letter and during the job interview. Avoid information overload by sticking to the essentials.
Be honest
While it can be tempting to embellish the truth a little, remember that honesty is the best policy and the truth always comes out in the end.
Don’t claim to have mastered certain professional competences if you haven't. Sooner or later, the truth will be revealed and your lie will be exposed.
Get creative
There are lots of creative ways to make your CV stand out from the other applicants.
One way is to use a different layout or a unique format, such as an infographic or video message. The degree of creativity partly depends on the sector and the job for which you're applying. The IMPACT CV Tool has free templates to help you create a memorable CV that stands out from the crowd.
You can also make an impact with the contents of your CV. In addition to your experience and skills, list other noteworthy qualities that other applicants may not have, such as personality traits of relevance to the position. Always adapt your CV to the company and the job you’re applying for and only share the most relevant information.
Make yourself stand out
Do you have specific expertise or skills that required extra training or that sets you apart from other candidates? If so, definitely include this on your CV. It will help you stand out from the rest of the applicants.
If you have any noteworthy hobbies, be sure to mention these as well! This shows recruiters that you have other interests outside work and it may highlight certain personality traits, such as your perseverance, creativity or willingness to take initiative.
Hobbies are also great icebreakers that can help set the tone for a pleasant job interview.
Have your CV checked
As we mentioned earlier, you should always have someone check your CV before you send it! They’ll look at your text with a fresh pair of eyes and catch any mistakes you may have overlooked. Consider this a final review to make sure your CV is clear, logically structured and error-free.
Need help with your CV? With the IMPACT CV Tool, you can quickly and easily create the perfect CV by choosing a template and answering a few questions.