CV Tips and Advice

Top 10 Tips for Crafting a Standout Graduate CV

With recent graduates looking to start their careers, creating a CV that highlights your strengths and stands out from the crowd is essential. Based on my 3 years’ experience in recruitment, here’s a guide to crafting a CV that effectively showcases your skills and experience:

1. Include a Short Summary

Begin your CV with a brief summary of your current role and career goals. This should be 1-2 sentences that provide a snapshot of your experience and what you’re looking to achieve. For example: “A European Market Access specialist leading an oncology portfolio, seeking to leverage skills in a global role.”

2. Tailor Your CV to the Opportunity

Review the job description and highlight specific skills or experiences that align with the role. Be sure to include these points in your CV to demonstrate a clear connection to the position.

3. Write Your CV in Chronological Order

Ensure your CV is in chronological order, with your most recent role at the top. Surprisingly, many CVs are not organized this way, making it harder for recruiters to assess your experience at a glance.

4. Keep Your CV Easy to Read

Use portrait mode with clear headings for each section (e.g., Professional Experience, Education, Skills). Avoid using excessive text boxes, infographics, or scattered information, as these can be distracting.

5. Keep It Current

Clearly state your current position and briefly describe your main responsibilities to give an up-to-date overview of your experience.

6. Detail Each Position

For each role, aim to include at least three bullet points detailing your responsibilities and key achievements. Focus more extensively on your recent positions.

7. Keep It Short and Relevant

Aim for a CV that is 2-3 pages long, depending on your experience level. Remember, hiring managers often have limited time to review each CV, so keep the information concise and relevant.

8. Address Employment Gaps

If there are gaps in your employment history, address them directly. Briefly explain if you were volunteering, traveling, or taking a career break—this helps to eliminate potential red flags.

9. Be Consistent

If you describe yourself as “detail-oriented,” ensure your CV reflects this by maintaining consistent fonts, colors, and formatting. Grammatical errors and visual inconsistencies can quickly detract from your professional image.

10. Sell Yourself

Highlight what makes you unique. Focus on your biggest achievements and what sets you apart. Why should a hiring manager choose you over other candidates?

Your CV is your first chance to make an impression with a hiring manager. Following these tips can help ensure your CV is clear, relevant, and effectively showcases your potential.

For more information, reach out to:

Georgia Wright