How to Write a Standout CV in Today’s Job Market

In today’s highly competitive job market, your CV is more than just a document — it is your personal marketing tool. Recruiters receive hundreds of applications for a single role, which means your CV often has less than ten seconds to make a strong impression. Therefore, writing a standout CV is no longer optional; it is essential.

Moreover, employers now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), keyword scanning, and skills-based screening before a human ever sees your CV. As a result, your CV must appeal both to technology and to recruiters.

This guide will walk you through how to write a standout CV step by step. Additionally, you will learn how Stunited’s CV review services can help you refine, improve, and strengthen your CV so it truly stands out.

1. Understand What Makes a CV “Stand Out”

First and foremost, a standout CV clearly answers one question: Why should this employer hire you?

It does this by:

• Highlighting your most relevant skills

• Showing measurable achievements

• Matching the job description closely

• Presenting information clearly and professionally

Instead of listing responsibilities, a strong CV focuses on impact, value, and results.

For example:
❌ Responsible for managing social media.
✅ Increased social media engagement by 42% in six months through targeted campaigns.

As you can see, results make your CV far more compelling.

2. Start With a Strong Personal Profile

Next, your CV should begin with a short professional summary or personal profile. This section appears at the top and sets the tone for your entire application.

A good profile:

• Is 3–4 lines long

• Summarises your role, experience, and strengths

• Clearly states what you offer

Example:
A results-driven marketing professional with 3+ years of experience in digital campaigns, brand strategy, and analytics. Skilled in driving engagement and increasing conversions through data-driven decisions.

This immediately tells recruiters who you are and what you bring.

3. Tailor Your CV for Every Role

Although it may feel efficient to use the same CV for every application, this approach rarely works. Instead, you should tailor your CV for each role.

You can do this by:

• Adjusting your profile to match the role

• Reordering skills based on job relevance

• Using keywords from the job description

• Highlighting the most relevant achievements

Consequently, your CV becomes more aligned with what the employer wants, which improves both ATS ranking and recruiter interest.

4. Use Clear, Professional Formatting

A standout CV is easy to scan and visually clean. Recruiters do not read CVs — they scan them. Therefore, formatting matters greatly.

Use:

• Clear section headings

• Bullet points instead of long paragraphs

• A readable font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman

• Consistent spacing and alignment

Avoid:

• Large blocks of text

• Overuse of colors

• Fancy fonts or graphics

• Unnecessary images

Your goal is clarity, not decoration.

5. Focus on Achievements, Not Duties

One of the most common CV mistakes is listing job duties instead of achievements. Employers care about what you achieved, not just what you were responsible for.

Structure each bullet point using this formula:

Action verb + task + result

Example:

• Led a team of five sales executives, increasing quarterly revenue by 25%.

• Implemented a new filing system that reduced document retrieval time by 40%.

This approach clearly shows your impact.

6. Highlight Skills Strategically

Your skills section should include a mix of:

• Technical skills (software, tools, certifications)

• Professional skills (communication, leadership, analysis)

However, avoid listing generic skills without proof. Instead, reinforce them through your experience.

For instance, instead of just writing “leadership”, show it:

• Managed a cross-functional team to deliver a project two weeks ahead of deadline.

7. Optimise for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Since many employers use ATS software, your CV must be ATS-friendly.

To do this:

• Use standard headings like “Work Experience” and “Education”

• Avoid tables, columns, or text boxes

• Include keywords from the job description naturally

• Save your CV as a Word document or simple PDF

This ensures your CV passes technical screening before reaching recruiters.

8. Keep It Concise and Relevant

A standout CV is not a long CV. Ideally:

• 1 page for freshers or early professionals

• 2 pages for experienced professionals

Remove outdated roles, irrelevant skills, and unnecessary details. Focus only on what supports your application.

9. Proofread and Refine Carefully

Even a single typo can harm your credibility. Therefore, always:

• Check spelling and grammar

• Maintain consistent tense and formatting

• Read your CV aloud to spot errors

However, self-review is not always enough. That is where professional feedback becomes valuable.

How Stunited’s CV Review Services Help You Stand Out

While you can apply these strategies yourself, professional guidance can dramatically improve your CV’s quality and effectiveness.

1. Expert Review and Feedback

Stunited’s professionals review your CV line by line and identify:

• Weak phrasing

• Formatting issues

• Missing keywords

• Gaps in clarity or impact

This helps you understand exactly what needs improvement.

2. Industry-Specific Optimisation

Different industries expect different CV styles. Stunited aligns your CV with:

• Your industry standards

• Your career level

• Your target job role

As a result, your CV feels relevant and tailored.

3. Keyword and ATS Optimisation

Stunited ensures your CV contains the right keywords so it performs well in ATS scans and recruiter searches.

4. Stronger Language and Impact

Stunited rewrites your content using powerful action verbs and result-focused language, making your CV more persuasive and professional.

5. Confidence and Clarity

Perhaps most importantly, a professionally reviewed CV gives you confidence. When you know your CV represents you well, you apply with greater assurance and clarity.

Read More: Why Recruiters Love Marketing Candidates with Strong Administrative Skills

Final Thoughts

Writing a standout CV in today’s competitive market requires strategy, clarity, and precision. You must present your skills, experience, and value in a way that is easy to understand, relevant to the role, and compelling to recruiters.

However, even strong candidates often struggle to communicate their value effectively on paper. That is why Stunited’s CV review services play a vital role — they transform good CVs into outstanding ones.

If you want your CV to open doors instead of being overlooked, combining smart self-writing with expert feedback is the most effective approach.