5 Ways to Sell Yourself on Your CV

After working many a summer doing temp work, and have not long been offered my graduate job, I've become a bit of a whiz with writing my CV. But because when applying for jobs, you're probably amongst hundreds of applicants, it's so important to have a CV that not only stands out but really sells yourself. I've been told by a few recruitment specialists that if your CV doesn't grab them instantly, it can be hard to get an interview. In short - your CV is important! These are some of what I think are the best ways to really pack a punch!

1. Include an eye-catching introductory paragraph.

This may seem obvious, but tailor your intro paragraph for each CV. No two jobs are the same, so by tailoring it, you'll stand out from the crowd and show the company straight away why you're worth hiring! This also means you'll need to cut the waffle. If you had 1 minute to sell yourself, what would you say? Now write it. 

2. Explain your strengths.

I found myself listing what I did for each job position in a dull way, so I'd highly suggest explaining your strengths. Don't just tell them that you did admin work, tell them what exactly you did and why you could do it! I'm hugely organised so make sure to always list that. But the more specific examples, the better it is!

3. Format & Use the Page.

Most advice for CV's suggests that you use only one side of A4 - so make sure you do this. I often split half of my page into columns which means I can fit more on the page and it looks visually quite different!

4. Applying for a creative position? Show that!

If you're applying for a creative position and your CV is dull, you're hardly selling yourself! If you were applying for a Digital Recruitment Agency in Manchester, show them that you know about how to stand out. Why not present your name in a handwritten font? But if you are going to be slightly more creative, try to avoid colours as many companies will still print your CV in black and white.

5. Don't Lie.

Just because lying on a CV has been seen in thousands of TV shows, doesn't mean that you should do it. By no means should you be brutally honest to the point where it's off-putting, but don't lie. If you lie, it could not only bite you in the back later on but it may also mean you can't o your job properly. Many jobs now have a probation period and the last thing you want is to be let go before it finishes! 

But of course, be true to you.

So these are my favourite tips to keep in mind when writing your CV! Is there anything I've missed? What would you recommend?