When it comes to writing a CV, especially if you’re eyeing a role in recruitment, your CV is your personal pitch. It’s the first impression you make, and in recruitment, where competition is fierce, that first impression really matters. Here are my top 10 tips to help you craft a CV that stands out from the pile.
Recruitment is a field where a competitive mindset is key. If you have a sporty background or have competed in anything: sports, debate, gaming- put it in! It shows that you thrive in competitive environments and understand the importance of pushing yourself to win. Whether it’s rugby, tennis, or competitive baking (yes, that’s a thing!), it highlights qualities like resilience, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure.
Did you work part-time while studying? Great! Make sure that’s front and centre. Recruitment can be a balancing act, and working throughout university or school shows that you’re driven, money-motivated, and able to juggle multiple roles. It’s a brilliant indicator that you can prioritise and manage your time effectively, which is exactly what recruitment roles demand.
In recruitment, high turnover is sometimes a concern, so employers will look for signs of stability. If you’ve switched roles often or left after short periods, make sure you explain why. It could be due to a temporary contract or because you were chasing a growth opportunity- either way, don’t leave them guessing. A brief explanation on your CV can make all the difference, turning a potential red flag into a reason to hire you.
It might sound obvious, but too many people use the same CV for every job they apply for. Tailor your CV to reflect the specific skills and qualities the job description is asking for. In recruitment, that might be things like people skills, negotiation, or even a natural sales ability. Dig into your experience and highlight the things that match those needs. Tailoring your CV shows you want this role, not just any role.
Don’t just say what you did- show the impact you had. Numbers speak louder than words, so where you can, quantify your achievements. If you worked in sales, list how much revenue you brought in. If you were in a student society, how many new members did you help recruit? Recruitment is naturally a target orientated role, so showing that you understand and have delivered on measurable outcomes will make you stand out.
Your CV needs to be easy to read. Stick to a clean layout with clear sections for education, experience, and skills. Avoid walls of text- use bullet points where you can. Recruiters (including the ones hiring you) often skim CVs quickly, so make it as digestible as possible. A clean, well-organised CV will also show that you have an eye for detail, which is critical in recruitment.
Recruitment is one of those fields where having diverse experiences can be a huge asset. So even if you’re coming from a different industry, highlight the transferable skills. Customer service? That’s people skills and negotiation. Sales? That’s resilience and hitting targets. Retail? You’ve got time management down. Recruitment is all about understanding people and managing relationships, so make sure to bring out any relevant skills, no matter where they came from.
Hiring managers often have many CVs to review, so keeping yours to 1 to 2 pages helps make a strong, clear impression. This ensures you focus on the most relevant experiences that align with the role you're applying for. Remember, it’s about quality over quantity. If a previous job or experience doesn’t directly apply to the role, consider trimming it or shortening the description. Highlight the experiences that best showcase your skills and strengths for the position, and keep everything clear and focused.
If you’re applying for an entry-level recruitment role, your education section should be more than just a list of qualifications. Show what you learned that’s relevant to recruitment. Maybe you took psychology and have a deep understanding of human behaviour, or perhaps you studied business and have a grasp of corporate environments. Make sure to weave in any academic experience that could tie into recruitment, but don’t overdo it—keep it relevant and concise.
Lastly, recruitment is all about people. Your personality should come through in your CV, too. You don’t have to be robotic or overly formal. Let your enthusiasm and energy come through, especially in your personal statement or cover letter (if you include one). Recruitment requires energy, persistence, and excellent communication skills- so don’t be afraid to let a little bit of you shine through.