Make Your CV Stand Out From the Crowd

There are a lot of articles offering CV advice in the market, at Faststream Recruitment we wanted to advise on how to make your CV stand out from the crowd.

The purpose of a CV

You have found your dream job, you are desperate to be called for an interview but ultimately what is the purpose of your CV?

Simply put, it is made up of what I like to call the ‘Five I’s’:

  • Introduce – who are you, how can I contact you?

  • Impress – what do I need to know about you that will make me want to see you?

  • Inform – back up your impressive experience with facts

  • Interest – what makes you different to everyone else?

  • Interview – make your CV secure that interview that you want

Format – this really can make a difference

As a hiring manager, you can be inundated with CVs for one job. Being sent a CV in a difficult format to open or to read can be the difference between your CV being read or not.

The best formats to send your CV in are in a Word or PDF document. These are easy to send via email, easy to open and easy to read.

There is no need for War and Peace, a simple two-page document with your contact details, experience and who you are, really will suffice – there are no brownie points for extra pages. A hiring manager will not thank you for extra reading.

The font you use needs to be clear and easy to read – even if you are applying for a creative role. A fancy, difficult to read font will not help your application. Clear, standard fonts such as Arial or Calibri really are the best.

Don’t forget to use spaces, paragraphs and bullet points as well as clear language, punctuation and grammar.

You might feel like you are at school again but a well-formatted CV will really set you apart at the application stage.

Contact Details – Make it easy to contact you

You might be surprised to hear how many applications that can come through that are missing a key contact information item like a telephone number. If a hiring manager is interested in your CV – they will want to contact you. Make it easy for them.

If you have an unprofessional email like sexybailey@gmail.com – change it. You really don't want this to be the first impression of you.

If you decide to include any links to your social media, seriously consider checking what you have posted, the images that are included and if this is something you want your potential employer to see. If in doubt, don’t include it in your application.

Personal Statement – tailor to every job

A concise personal statement can say a lot about you and can be a real attention grabber. Ensure you tailor it to every job you apply for. We have seen many applications come through with personal statements ‘Looking to further their career…’ in a completely irrelevant occupation.

Tailoring your personal statement shows care, consideration and thought and could really make you stand out.

Education

Limit your education history to your highest achievements and those that are relevant to your application. You might be very proud of your GCSE results but if you are applying for a job that is asking for a Master’s degree, make sure that this is the star of the show in your CV, not your GCSE in an irrelevant subject.

Work Experience

Employers are interested in paid and voluntary work experience. Keep roles and responsibilities brief and relevant to the application. Sell your skills and achievements – be proud of what you have achieved.

If you haven’t quite got the experience, think about how you can sell transferrable skills to prove you can do the job.

Personal Interests

Employers like to hear what you are interested in but try and avoid the clichés ‘socialising with friends, reading, keeping fit, etc.’ If you mention a personal interest, be prepared to talk about it as some employers really want to hear about you as a person and they will use this to spark conversation.

If you put yourself down as a chess expert – remember they might be too. Don’t try and add interests that you really have no interest in.

Consider any personal interests that show transferrable skills and qualities that are important for the job. If the job asks for a team player, do you have a personal interest that shows you are a part of a team? Taking part in competitions in your personal time shows determination and competitiveness – these are great qualities to portray for a sales role. If they are looking for a leader, do you lead a team in a sport or in a local group?

Content

Sell NOT tell – make it an interesting read that sells you, your strengths and your potential. A hiring manager could have 50 other CVs to read (sometimes more) keep their interest, make them remember you.

Try to tailor your CV to each job you apply for – this is really impressive for the CV reader and shows the enthusiasm for the role when it has been adjusted to fit the job description and role.

If you have any gaps in your employment history, explain them. Employers are people and understand things happen. If you leave a gap, however, they will have to make their own decision on what the gap was for.

Before you press send

You are excited to send your CV to that dream job, but stop. Simply taking 30 seconds to scan through your CV, checking for spelling and grammar can make all the difference.

Ask yourself the five ‘I’s I started with:

  • Introduce – can they contact you?

  • Impress – what will impress them?

  • Inform – have you backed up your statements with facts?

  • Interest – does your CV stand out – for all the right reasons?

  • Interview – would you want to interview you?

Latest Insights

View All Insights
5 ways to attract maritime talent in Singapore - Faststream Recruitment
5 ways to attract maritime talent in Singapore

Singapore's maritime sector has long been a cornerstone of the nation's economy and a global hub for maritime activities. However, in an era of rapidly advancing technology and evolving sector dema...

The changing landscape of compensation and benefits in maritime - Faststream Recruitment
The changing landscape of compensation and benefits in maritime

In today's rapidly evolving maritime sector, understanding the intricacies of compensation and benefits has become paramount. The dynamics between individuals and their compensation packages in the...

Superyacht Captain Survey 2023 - Faststream Recruitment
Results from the Superyacht Captain Survey Revealed

The world of superyachts, with their opulent luxury and breathtaking oceanic journeys, has long captivated the imagination of those seeking a unique and exhilarating career path. At the helm of the...

The most important people issues in maritime - Faststream Recruitment
The most important people issues in maritime

In the ever-evolving world of maritime and employee relationships, the adage holds true: "The more I know, the more I realise I don't know." Let me start by telling you what I do know…. The relatio...

Results revealed from the Senior Maritime Executive Survey 2023
Results from the Senior Maritime Executive Survey 2023 revealed

In the vast expanse of the maritime industry, the horizon is ever-shifting. As we stand at the helm, our role as senior executives is not merely to maintain course but to chart a journey toward the...

Results from the Superintendent Employment Survey 2023 revealed
Results from the Superintendent Employment Survey 2023 revealed

People strategies across ship management continue to dominate conversations but this year we have seen a notable shift from a need to not just attract new talent but a heightened focus on retaining...

Global Leaders in Maritime Breakfast Conference - London International Shipping Week
Global Leaders in Maritime Breakfast Conference

On Tuesday the 12th of September, Faststream Recruitment will be hosting our Global Leaders in Maritime Breakfast Conference, part of London International Shipping Week. This is an exclusive event ...

Faststream expands operations into Denmark
Faststream expands operations into Denmark

Faststream Recruitment, shipping, maritime and energy specialist recruitment agency, has announced the expansion of its operations into Denmark. The expansion is a strategic move aimed at increasin...

Faststream Recruitment appoints Martin Bennell as Chief Operating Officer
Faststream Recruitment Group Appoints Martin Bennell as Chief Operating Officer

Faststream Recruitment Group, a global people specialist, is pleased to announce the promotion of Martin Bennell to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Bennell, who has been with the company s...

The Talent Market in Transition - A focus on the Singapore Maritime Talent Marketplace - Faststream Recruitment
Results from the Singapore Maritime Employer & Employee Surveys revealed

The maritime sector is experiencing a time of transformation. As the talent market continues to transition and become increasingly complex, maritime businesses will need to understand candidate tre...

The Talent Market in in Transition Lunch Forum - Faststream Recruitment
The Talent Market in Transition – A Lunch Forum by Singapore Maritime Foundation and Faststream Recruitment

April 2023 saw the international community gather for the much anticipated Singapore Maritime Week, held from the 24th to the 28th of April 2023. The week encompassed a diverse collection of flagsh...

Maritime Sales Employment Report 2023 - Faststream Recruitment
Maritime Sales Survey 2023 Results Revealed

The maritime sales landscape continues to transform, as the market changes and becomes increasingly complex. In response to these changes, we’ve seen that maritime businesses are seeking to grow an...