Over the past few months, I’ve had mentoring conversations with professionals navigating career challenges, including those impacted by recent redundancies.
One question keeps coming up:
"What can I do to make my CV (or portfolio) stand out?"
(If you've recently been impacted by a redundancy, read my 8 top tips on that now.)
Having reviewed countless CVs over the years, I’ve learned that a few practical strategies consistently make the biggest impact. If you’re looking to land that next opportunity, here are my top tips:
Don’t Make the Reader Work for It
Hiring managers don’t have time to sift through every detail of your career to figure out why you’re a good fit—it’s up to you to show them.
When you apply for a role, the job description is essentially a cheat sheet. They’re telling you what they need, so filter your experience and highlight the pieces that tick their boxes.
I’ve seen many women fall into the trap of trying to include everything they’ve done, thinking it shows their breadth of experience.
But more isn’t always better—it often just creates clutter.
Be clear, relevant, and to the point.
Show What You Did
It’s not enough to say you worked on a project; what matters is your contribution. Did you lead the effort? Solve a tricky problem? Deliver results under pressure? By the time someone finishes reading your CV, they should have a clear picture of your role and the impact you made.
This isn’t the time for modesty—own your achievements and let them shine.
Think Twice About Including a Photograph
As much as we’d like to think recruitment is purely objective, unconscious bias still exists.
Including a photo can sometimes work against you rather than for you.
Your CV should speak for itself, showcasing your skills and accomplishments. Let your words—and not your picture—be the star of the show.
Embrace Career Changes
If you’ve taken steps to pivot into a new field, own it.
Having experience in a career change, no matter how small, is better than no experience at all.
I’ve spoken to people who realized they were in the wrong space and took proactive steps to steer their careers in a different direction. This kind of self-awareness and initiative is brilliant. Highlight the transferable skills you’ve gained and how they make you a strong candidate for this new path.
Use Action Words and Metrics
Action-oriented language gives your CV energy and impact. Use verbs like “led,” “created,” “improved,” or “delivered,” and back them up with tangible results.
For example:
"Reduced team inefficiencies by 20% through streamlining processes."
"Developed a new marketing strategy that boosted engagement by 30%."
These kinds of details instantly make your accomplishments more compelling.
Final Thoughts
Crafting a standout CV isn’t about overwhelming the reader with every detail of your career—it’s about giving them a clear and compelling snapshot of what you bring to the table.
Whether you’re staying in your field or exploring a new direction, focus on clarity, relevance, and impact. By taking the time to showcase your value, you’ll be setting yourself up for success.
If you are still feeling unsure about your achievements or how to present them then you’re not alone.
That’s why I’ve created a free resource: Imposter Syndrome First Aid Essentials.
It includes 5 top tips to boost your confidence in just one hour so you can approach your job search with clarity and self-belief.
When you download it, you can also opt join my mailing list where I share career tips, tools, and advice to help you thrive.
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