The essential guide to a standout CV

How to write a resume employers will actually read - and notice.

You’ve probably heard the statistic: recruiters spend less than 10 seconds on a CV. The truth? It's often closer to 7 seconds! And in a sea of sameness, it needs to be more than a list of where you’ve been. It has to tell a story about where you’re going, and why an employer should bring you along.

Here’s how to make yours stand out (without needing a high distinction and a 3 side hustles).

1. Start with a clear summary

A strong personal summary at the top of your CV makes it easier for employers to connect the dots between who you are and what they need.

Example: Final-year Marketing student with hands-on experience in social media strategy, content creation and customer research. I’m passionate about brand storytelling and seeking a graduate opportunity where I can grow my skills and contribute from day one.

Keep it short (three to four lines), confident, and tailored to the job.

2. Tailor it every single time

It’s tempting to send out the same CV to every role. But tailoring works. Use the job advertisement to mirror keywords and highlight relevant experience.

If they say: We’re looking for someone who’s proactive and loves solving problems...You say: Developed proactive solutions as part of a team project where we...

The goal is to make them feel like you’re already halfway in the door.

3. Show some love

Employers want to know that you care about their company - not just any company. A short sentence in your personal summary or covering email explaining why you’re interested in them can set you apart.

Example: I admire (X Company's) commitment to sustainability and would be excited to contribute to projects that have a positive impact on the community.

This shows you’ve done your research and are genuinely motivated.

4. Make it easy to scan

Recruiters often don’t read CVs in detail. They skim. Use:

• Clear section headings (e.g. Education, Experience, Leadership)

• Bullet points (not paragraphs)

• A clean, modern font

• Consistent formatting (dates aligned, headings in bold, no clutter)

Top tip: Save it as a PDF with your name, for example: FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf.

5. Quantify your impact

Numbers help your experience stand out, even for part-time or volunteer roles.

Instead of: Worked at Woolworths during university

Try: Served over 100 customers daily, managed point-of-sale and trained two new team members

Show how you added value, not just what you did.

6. Keep it to one page (unless you really need two)

For most university students and graduates, one page is enough. If you need two, make sure every line earns its place.

And yes, it’s perfectly fine if you don’t have much industry experience yet. Highlight projects, leadership, part-time jobs, volunteering—anything that shows initiative, reliability, and people skills.

Bonus: What NOT to include

• Your photo (unless required in your country or industry)

• Irrelevant hobbies such as “binge-watching Netflix”

• References (just write “Available on request”)

• Unprofessional email addresses (create a new one if necessary)

You’ve got this. Your story matters, and it’s time to show employers why.