Make your CV count – recruiters decide in 7 seconds

With recruiters spending an average of just seven seconds looking at each CV for a job posting¹, it’s clear that the need to instantly stand out is more pressing than ever. 

But this is easier said than done, as experts at FutureLearn have spotted a knowledge gap trend here, with CV searches such as “how many pages should a CV be?” seeing a 90% increase in the last month*.

To help those looking for their next job beat the seven-second rule, FutureLearn have collated their top five tips to put together the best possible CV.

1. Consider your CV’s length

91% of recruiters say that the perfect CV is two pages long², so keep things concise. With only a few seconds to make an impact, you should always prioritise quality over quantity.

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Some formatting tips include:

1. Reduce the font size of your document while ensuring it remains readable (11 or 12 font size is typically best for CVs)
2. Adjust the margins to 0.5, 0.75 or 1 inch to provide more space to expand on your accomplishments
3. Decrease spacing between headings to help limit page length
4. Have a clear layout

50% of recruiters consider a logical order for presentation as the most important element on a CV³.

Although you want to include as much information as you can, ensure that your CV isn’t confusing or overwhelming to look at. Include whitespace in your layout, and ensure that each section has a precise header so that the reader knows what to expect in each segment.

Be sure to include:

• Your name and contact details

• Education and qualifications

• Employment history

2. Incorporate keywords

Have a look through job adverts that you would like to apply to, and note any keywords and phrases that appear repeatedly. These will be the key skills that recruiters are looking for when checking your suitability for the role.

Pull out some of the relevant, role-specific terms that crop up frequently and then weave these into your CV where relevant. This may be within your skills section, or calling out any previous achievements in your employment history.

3. Include the right skills

You can either highlight your skills in their own section on your CV, or incorporate these into your experience section. If you’re struggling for space on your document, an interwoven approach can help you save on valuable space.

If you’re changing industries or have little experience, be sure to highlight your transferable skills towards the top of your CV, and provide some detail on the relevant expertise.

When it comes to what you should include, many roles need a mix of hard and soft skills. Hard skills will be specific to your industry.

Hard skills:

• Data analysis
• Artificial intelligence
• UX design
• Cloud computing

Soft skills:

• Leadership
• Project management
• Communication
• Teamwork

4. Get a second opinion

Research has found that nearly 9 in 10 job seekers make at least one avoidable mistake on their CV⁴, so proofreading is key! Proofread your CV, then proofread it again, and then give it to someone else to proofread.

Sources

1 https://www.retailappointment.co.uk/career-advice/talking-shop/job-seeking-by-numbers

2 https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/how-long-should-a-cv-be/

3 https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/what-recruiters-are-really-looking-for-in-your-cv/

4 https://www.adzuna.co.uk/blog/the-10-most-common-cv-spelling-mistakes-to-avoid-at-all-costs/