Top CV Tips to Elevate Your Application

In today's fiercely competitive job market, making your CV stand out from the rest is crucial. At Mackinnon Bruce International, where we sift through countless resumes daily, we understand the challenge job seekers face. With the rapid influx of online applications, distinguishing your job application becomes a challenge. This is why we have used our extensive experience in reviewing CVs to put together some effective tips to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.

Grab attention from the get-go

Grabbing the reader’s attention from the start is vital. Master the art of presenting a captivating snapshot of your skills and aspirations at the start of your CV.

The opening section of your CV is important. It should showcase your skills immediately. Lengthy intros tend to lose the reader's interest, prompting them to move on to more engaging CVs.

Essential Details Matter

Missing out on basic information or neglecting details sets off on the wrong footing for your CV.

Ensure your CV features your full name and contact information while being vigilant about avoiding spelling and grammar errors.

Employers seek a clear outline of your work history and industry exposure without navigating through a minefield of information. Present your experiences chronologically, making them easily accessible and comprehensive.

Formatting Is Key

A CV drowned in a sea of unreadable text will immediately make readers lose interest.

Given the brief attention span when perusing CVs, formatting is key. Create an easily digestible and visually appealing layout. Here are some tips:

• Spacing: Maintain a minimum 1.15 line spacing for improved readability.
• Font: Choose a widely recognised, legible sans-serif font for ease of reading.
• Headings: Segment your CV into distinct sections using clear headings for work experience and qualifications.

Keep it condensed

Long, exhaustive CVs are off-putting. Focus on relevance.

Avoid inundating your CV with unnecessary details. Tailor your content to align with the job you're applying for. Using specific keywords from the job description will enhance its relevance. A generic, one-size-fits-all approach is easily recognisable and can deter recruiters.

Talk to us!

If you are looking to enhance your CV and apply towards your next dream role we can help! Our teams can work with you to ensure your CV is optimised and that we are putting you in front of our client base who are hiring in their retrospective sectors. 

Contact us here or visit our job board to see the roles we are hiring for.