These Skills Will Make Your CV Stand Out

Take control of your career today and get the job you want. How? By making a few tweaks to your CV to help you stand out from a pool of candidates applying for the same job.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants are currently eyeing the job that you want. Are you going to give up without a fight? Don’t give up so easily. The job market is quite competitive, and you need to be willing to get your keyboard dirty when sending job applications. If you’re up for the challenge, use these tips to make your CV stand out. But first, you will need a CV template. 

Best Free CV Template Sites

How to Make Your CV Stand Out

For some, getting the golden call from recruiters does not seem easy. And expressing themselves on their CV seems even harder. Where does one even begin? If you are one of the many people who are having a hard time when it comes to job hunting, then these tips will help make your task a little more easier. This is how you can make your CV out.

Tailor Your CV for the job

To truly stand out, you will need to tailor your CV to a specific job, company and role. You can’t send the same CV to every job post you see. It’s impersonal and recruiters will pick up on that quite easily. Even though this step can be a bit tiresome, it is rewarding when you get the golden call. Recruiters pay close attention to the details, and by doing this it will show how determined you are to get the job. 

Highlight Your USP

You are the perfect candidate for the job, but how will recruiters know that? Think of yourself as a product that you are trying to sell. 

  • What are your strengths?
  • Do you come with benefits?
  • Why do recruiters need you?
  • What are the unique traits you have that other candidates don’t have?

Include a Personal Statement

This is one of the first things hiring managers see when they look at a resume. It usually goes at the top of a resume, and you can use this to your advantage to truly stand out. Instead of mentioning what the company can do for you and your career, tell them what you can do for them. There are three things you need to mention in your personal statement:

  • Introduce yourself
  • Your experience and suitability for the job
  • State your career goals

Don’t be too Wordy

Recruiters have to go through a lot of CV’s. So make sure yours isn’t too wordy and cluttered. You can achieve this by using bullet points rather than sentences. Most recruiters just want to skim through CV’s when they are looking for candidates. Make sure your sentences are short, powerful and impactful. 

How to Stand out Without Experience

Everyone needs to start somewhere, and recruiters understand that. Even though most job advertisements may list experience as a requirement, you can still work your way around that. 

Enrol for a Course

The best way to make up for not having any relevant experience is to show interest in the job by applying for a course. A course will not only appeal to recruiters, but it will also equip you with the relevant skills to perform your daily duties. When job hunting, distance learning will be your best bet. This allows you to go for job interviews while studying, and hopefully you will find a job and then continue your studies. The great thing about our courses is that you don’t need matric to get started. 

Think Extracurricular

If you don’t have any work experience, you may use examples of other relevant work. Think of the extracurricular activities you are involved in. You may mention them and draw attention to the team work and the problem solving skills you developed while participating in them. Extracurricular activities may include the societies you have joined, as well as volunteer work. 

Let Your Personality Shine

Wow them with your personality. If you can find a way to let your personality shine through your CV, do that. Some recruiters are looking for more than just people who can get the job done. They often look for people who will be a great fit for their company. Read up on their company profile, mission statement, values, and more to learn more about the people who work there. This will help you when writing your resume. 

Show off Your Transferable Skills

Even though you don’t have the experience that recruiters are looking for, you can still apply for the job highlighting your transferable skills. But what exactly are transferable skills? They refer to the skills you used and built up at previous roles. Transferable skills may include customer service, information technology, research and analytical skills, and more. 

How to Write a CV 

Whether this is your first or twentieth time writing a CV, you can’t go wrong with researching best practices for writing CV’s. There are common things you can avoid, and vital elements you need to list to help you get that golden call. 

What to Avoid

Remember that the CV is the first impression that the employer will have of you. Treat it seriously. Don’t come across as incompetent or you might not get the job. There are a few things you can avoid that might cost you the job. 

  • Don’t forget to include your contact information
  • Avoid spelling mistakes and grammatical errors
  • Don’t send an old CV
  • Never include fake references
  • Don’t send a copy and pasted CV

What to Include in Your CV

Now that you know what to avoid, you can move on to making a lasting impression. The first thing you should know about writing a CV is that you need to treat your job experience section as a space where you can list all your achievements. Recruiters want to know what you are capable of, and what better way to do this by showing them what you’ve accomplished in previous roles? 

The Hard Truth About Soft Skills

When researching skills that are needed to do a certain job, soft skills may not always come to mind. Many people forget them altogether and just focus on technical skills. When in fact, soft skills are some of the most important skills a person can have. It shows that you are capable of doing the job, you will be a perfect member for the team, and you possess the abilities to lead a team. Add these skills to Make Your CV Stand Out:

  • Communication
  • Motivation
  • Problem-solving
  • Teamwork
  • Negotiation and persuasion
  • Adaptability
  • Creativity
  • Time Management
  • Willingness to Learn
Lenita Pikkie Marais
Lenita Pikkie Marais
Computer Course A+
Read More
Awesome service, awesome prices, and just awesome people who are there for you no matter what. They go out of their way to see you succeed in your studies
Moloi Patricia malema
Moloi Patricia malema
Occupational Health and Safety
Read More
I would like to give my compliments to all the staff who contacted me during my difficulties and more specifically to Kenneth who convinced me to enroll with skills.
Kelebogile
Kelebogile
Early childhood
Read More
Skill academy is an affordable college and a good one.
Rochel Nicolene
Rochel Nicolene
Adult Matric
Read More
They are fast responses when you need feedback or any help or support.
Skills Academy is the word support in every way.
Geraldine
Geraldine
Professional secretary
Read More
I will strongly recommend Skills Academy! And you won't regret your choice if you would want to study or do courses through them. I'm very happy with Skills Academy, they respond very quick and are always there when you need help.
Awelani Jennifer Ramulongo
Awelani Jennifer Ramulongo
HR Management
Read More
If you want further your studies, Skills Academy is the best online college to study with. You will always feel at home and will not regret it.
Carine van der Westhuizen
Carine van der Westhuizen
Beauty Therapy
Read More
The service is very good with friendly and helpful staff. You have your time to complete your studies. Fast or slow.
Shahida Dawson
Shahida Dawson
Financial Accounting
Read More
If you want professional, efficient and friendly service, Skills Academy is the institution to go to!
Taryn Duplessis
Taryn Duplessis
Beauty Therapy
Read More
Excellent college. I don't regret signing up with Skills Academy.
Wilma Kok
Wilma Kok
Adult Matric
Read More
Skills Academy is a good college, as you get fast, efficient and brilliant service. Their staff are very friendly when they are assisting you. They always call to make sure that everything is okay, or ask whether you need help with something.
Caroline Govender
Caroline Govender
Junior Bookkeeping
Read More
Skills Academy is affordable and helpful.
Kebalipile
Kebalipile
Crime Investigation
Read More
Best academy that gives the best to their students to overcome anything and get the best out of their studies.
Kholeka Nqobile Xintolo
Kholeka Nqobile Xintolo
Child Psychology
Read More
You are fast and patient. Very resourceful as help through landlines are always available. Good learning structures with group and team classes. Very consistent and always there when you need anything regarding your studies.
Catherine Harland
Catherine Harland
Educare N4
Read More
Definitely worth it. The courses that are available are great and the service even better.
Nonhlanhla Sarah
Nonhlanhla Sarah
HR Management
Read More
Skills Academy is the best because they give you the best education and they are always there ready to help you in everything that you don't understand.
Mpho Vilakazi
Mpho Vilakazi
Child Day Care
Read More
Skills Academy is the best college to study at. They deliver on time, their staff is supportive and their fees are affordable.
Maria Mokgadi Faro
Maria Mokgadi Faro
Educare N6
Read More
Good communication, helpful when you need help and the books are delivered on time.
Zandisiwe
Zandisiwe
IT
Read More
Skills academy is very responsive, friendly and patient.
Zanele Kopo
Zanele Kopo
HR Management N6
Read More
I would say that Skill Academy is the best online college you can trust and rely on. Due to the support I got from here, I fully recommend the college for anyone else who wish to do online studying.
Sifiso
Sifiso
Interior Design and Decorating
Read More
To anyone who would like to improve his/her career, whether you do have your grade 12 certificate or not, Skills Academy is the right institution to improve your career and even your life in general. The reason is that you do everything online, and you can work while studying at your own pace.
Previous
Next

Stand out From a Pool of Candidates

An impressive CV can get you a job, but having the relevant skills can help you keep it. Make sure you possess the skills that will help you perform your daily duties. Enrol for a course with Skills Academy and take advantage of all our student benefits

  • Call us for free on 0800 39 00 27
  • Or fill out this contact form and we will get back to you
Last Updated: 3 June 2022

SHARE ON:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: