8 TIPS and tricks for writing a standout CV in 2025

Simply listing your qualifications in your CV is not landing the job you want. It’s important than ever to get your CV right in 2025 in order to catch the eye of both AI system and human recruiters. Your CV needs to speak clearly about your experience and your ability to adopt to modern work environments. The right approach can land you your desire job. These are some practical strategies that can make your CV effective.

1: CLEAN LAYOUT;

For each role hiring manager receives dozens of applications, its very important to stick to a clean, modern layout of the CV.

• Use a simple design, avoid fancy fonts, excessive colours or graphics.
• Choose professional fonts like Aria and Calibri. For body text use font size between 10 to 12.
• For quick scanning make sure to use enough spacing between sections and text.

2: OPTIMIZE FOR APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEMS;

ATS scan CVs for relevant keywords and phrases. These systems are used by recruiters to filter out candidates. Here are some tips to optimize your CV for ATS.

• Incorporate relevant key words in your CV according to each job description. For example if the job requires Copy writer make sure these words appear naturally in your CV’s experience section.
• Use common and to the point headings like Qualification, Experience and Skills etc.
• Don’t use complex formatting like fancy bullet points, charts or images it can confuse ATS.

3: MAKE A GOOD PERSONAL STATEMENT:

crafting a compelling statement is your chance to make a strong first impression. It should highlights who you are, what are your accomplishments and what unique are you bringing to the table.

• A good personal statement should consist of 3-5 sentences summarizing your talents, expertise, interests and career goals.
• Highlight your unique selling points, mention your major projects or awards.
• Align your personal statement with the job description you are applying for.

4: HIGHLIGHT YOUR ACHIVEMENTS, NOT JUST RESPONSIBILITIES;

Just performing task is not enough in todays job market, what count actually is delivering the result. In your CV focus on what have you achieved in previous roles don’t just list your job duties.

• Quantify your impact by using numbers and percentages to illustrate your accomplishments. For example, “Increased website traffic by 25% within 5 months” is much more powerful than “Responsible for increasing website’s traffic.”
• Use strong action verbs to grab the attention of the hiring manager, verbs like “Directed” “Resolved,” “Developed,” or “Designed.” For example Developed a mobile app to enhance customer experience.
• Don’t tailor a one-size-fits-all version CV, instead emphasize on your skills that align best with job’s description.

5: UTILIZE THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY;

Technology is becoming powerful day by day, it has now given a paramount importance in both job search and CV creation. You can incorporate tech tools into your CV-writing process in the following ways:

• Different platforms can be used for tailoring efficient CV like Canva, Novoresume, or Zety offer professional templates that are optimized for ATS.
• You can incorporate hyperlinks like LinkedIn profile or personal website to your online portfolio, so with a single click recruiters can find more about you.
• In creative industries consider a video CV that will make you standout easily.

6: HIGHLIGHT YOUR SOFT SKILLS AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE;

Your soft skills and emotional intelligence are as important as your technical skills. Soft skills include communication skills, cognitive or emotional empathy, time management, teamwork and leadership traits.

• Showcase your soft skills through examples like collaborated with 10 marketing team members to refine brand messaging, which brought 10% increase in website traffic.
• Use the right language that reflects your EQ. For example Building a community of loyal followers by addressing customers concern through the use of empathy to write personalized copy for social media.

7: SHOWCASE CONTINUE LEARNING AND UPSKILLING;

Today’s world of work is constantly evolving, those candidates are valued who are committed to growth.

• In your CV highlight relevant courses, workshops and certificates.
• To set your self apart form other dozens of applicants make sure to mention any technical skills you have developed.

8: CUSTOMIZE YOUR CV FOR EACH ROLE;

One of the most important tips for a CV to standout in 2025, is to customize it to each specific job.

Research and understand the company you are applying in. Understand the culture, value and goals of the compay. Customize your CV to mention how your skills and experiences align best with the company goals and needs.

Specifically focus on the most relevant experience that align with job’s description.

FINAL THOUGHTS;

As technology is developing and world is becoming more faster, it takes a modern design, strategic tailoring, and a strong focus on achievements and skills for a CV to standout and lend you your desire job. Just mentioning qualifications is not enough you have to customize your CV by understanding the job’s description that directly appeals to the employer’s needs.