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Career Advice

How to write a killer CV

Here’s seven top tips for writing a CV that will make you stand out to potential employers and get you the job you want…

Iga Schlegel
by Iga Schlegel
Last Updated:
29 Feb 2024

With over seven billion people in the world, it is difficult to break into any industry. That's why writing a killer CV is so important – to help you stand out amongst the crowd!

Here’s how to go about it…

1. Print vs. Online CV


In this digital era you might want to consider to not only have a psychical print copy CV, but also a creative online portfolio or blog, especially if you're a photographer, graphic designer, or writer. This will increase your visibility, creativity and uniqueness.

An online blog or portfolio will give you an opportunity to create yourself as a brand and add visual aspects to catch the employer’s attention, which a print CV won’t. Most importantly, you'll be able to showcase any relevant work that you have done.

If you don’t fancy an online portfolio, or don’t think you have the tech skills to set up your own website, you should consider creating a LinkedIn profile.

2. Personal brand


You are your own unique brand, so perhaps you might want to think about creating your own logo with your initials to represent yourself?  It will make you look professional from the start!

3. Tagline


A tagline is a sentence fragment where you tell the audience in several words who you are and what you specialise in. The purpose of a tagline is to introduce yourself straight away and show the employer what you have to offer. My personal example: Iga Schlegel – An award winning Journalist and Layout Designer.

4. How to structure your CV?


You can get as creative as you’d like, but here’s a basic structure to get you started:

Top of the page: Start with your name, logo and a tagline.

Profile: A few sentences about yourself introducing your specialities, skills, passion, personality and relevant awards.

Education/qualification: Don’t mention every single school you went to. Your university and college or sixth form will be just fine. Remember to include skills you gained from your university course that you can offer. For example, teamwork, communication, critical or creative thinking, design skills etc.

Experience: Only include what is relevant to your industry. For example, if you were applying for a job in journalism, you wouldn't necessarily write that you work at a bar. When you write about your work experience, try not to mention that it was a ‘work experience’ or an ‘internship’, just include the title you were given, for instance, editorial assistant and bullet point the duties you had.

Hobbies/interests: It’s important to show the employer your further interests. This will demonstrate your passions, additional skills and motivation to do things outside of work. It will give the employer a fuller picture of you!

References: Include at least two references, (people who are not related to you), with full name, contact details and their profession; make sure that one of them is someone from the university preferably the course leader.

Additional links: If you do have a blog or website, LinkedIn profile, or any other social media that is used workwise, attach them to your CV. The employer will be able to analyse your writing, interests and experience.

5. Avoid using “I”


Even though it is harder to exclude the word “I”, challenge yourself! It will make your CV sound more professional.

6. Layout and design


Creating a unique layout and design will catch the employer’s eye, but remember “there is beauty in simplicity”. Don’t be tempted to use fancy fonts either – chose something easy to read like Calibri, Arial, or Cambria in size 10, 11, or 12.

7. Spelling/grammar


Let someone else with fresh eyes proof read your CV. If there are spelling or grammar mistakes – especially obvious ones – it'll be thrown straight to the bin! So ensure that your CV is perfect!

So there you go, some top tips for writing a killer CV that will help you stand out to future employers.


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