CV Tips for Graduates: How to Make Your Application Stand Out
The graduate job market is highly competitive, and creating a CV and application that stand out is essential for success. Employers often receive hundreds of applications for a single role, making it crucial to present a professional, clear, and relevant CV. These CV tips for graduates will help you improve your application and increase your chances of being shortlisted.
1. Ensure Your CV is Well-Formatted, Clear, and Concise
A CV must be easy to read and professionally presented. Hiring managers do not want to dig through poorly organised content to find relevant information. Graduates should ensure their CV is well-structured, with clear headings, consistent font, and short bullet points summarising experience.
A CV does not need to be excessively long. Focus on the most relevant sections: education, key achievements, relevant work and transferable skills. Using measurable examples where possible strengthens your application.
2. Tailor Your CV to Each Role
One of the most effective CV tips for graduates is tailoring applications to specific roles. Sending a generic CV to multiple employers rarely produces results. Tailoring shows recruiters that you have read the job description and understand the requirements.
For example, if applying for a recruitment role, emphasise experience that demonstrates your ability to meet targets, engage with people, or manage tasks efficiently. Aligning your skills, experiences, and achievements with the requirements of the role signals genuine interest and increases your chances of progressing to an interview.
3. Connect with Hiring Managers
Networking with hiring managers before and after interviews is a simple but often overlooked way to stand out. A short, professional message on LinkedIn can make your name familiar even before the interview. For instance:
“Hi [Name], I’m looking forward to discussing the [Role] on [Day].”
Following up after the interview with a polite thank-you message demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail. These gestures show maturity, confidence, and genuine enthusiasm, all of which are highly valued by employers.
4. Seek Advice from Current Employees
Reaching out to employees already working in the organisation can provide insight into company culture, expectations, and interview processes. A thoughtful message requesting advice can help you prepare and build connections:
“I’m applying for the [Role] and would really appreciate any advice you have for someone hoping to join the team.”
Engaging with current employees shows initiative and interest. It can also help you understand what recruiters are looking for, giving you a better chance of tailoring your application effectively.
5. Don’t Rely Solely on Job Boards
Many graduates rely exclusively on job boards, which increases competition for roles. Applying directly on company websites can improve your chances of being noticed. Direct applications often reach hiring managers faster and avoid being lost among numerous job board submissions.
Submitting applications directly also signals genuine interest in the organisation. In some cases, roles are posted on company websites before appearing on job boards, giving early applicants an advantage.
Additional CV Tips for Graduates
Beyond these five strategies, other CV tips for graduates can help strengthen applications. Always proofread your CV to eliminate errors in spelling, grammar, or formatting. Ensure consistency in layout, font, and headings. Include relevant work experience, even if limited to part-time jobs, internships, volunteering, or academic projects.
Emphasise transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation, and problem-solving. Providing examples of how these skills were applied in real situations, such as academic projects or extracurricular activities, helps demonstrate competence and adaptability.
Regularly updating your CV ensures it reflects your latest achievements, skills, and experiences. A well-maintained CV is easier to tailor for each role and remains competitive in a challenging job market.
Creating a professional and tailored CV is essential for success in the graduate job market. Following these CV tips for graduates, including ensuring clarity, tailoring your CV, networking with hiring managers and employees, applying directly to companies, and maintaining transferable skills, can significantly increase your chances of being shortlisted.
Investing time in your CV and application demonstrates professionalism, commitment, and readiness for the responsibilities of the role, helping you stand out in a competitive market. We're hiring for ambitious recruitment consultants to join our team. Head to our careers page to find out more.
