OK, so you’ve created a great CV…
That’s it, right? Wrong. Your CV isn’t carved in stone. It should be growing and changing, both with your development, and with the roles you are applying for. This means tailoring it to a vacancy is absolutely vital if you want to show employers you’re the best candidate, and ultimately get the job you want.
To help you understand the importance of tailoring your CV to a job description, here’s everything you need to know, and how you can use it to stand out – courtesy of James Reed’s book, The 7 Second CV: How to Land the Interview:
“Every CV you send should feel like it was written just for that job. Tailoring shows employers you understand their needs, speak their language and care enough to get it right. It’s not about rewriting from scratch, but about highlighting what matters most.”
Leonie Goldson, Head of Care Services | Reed
What does tailoring a CV actually mean?
Tailoring your CV means customising it for a specific job application.
Instead of sending the same generic CV for every role, you’ll tweak it to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to that particular job.
This shows employers you’ve read their job description, understand their needs, and are genuinely interested in the position.
Top CV mistakes to avoid (and what to do instead)
Why do I need to tailor my CV?
Not sure if tailoring your CV is worth the effort? Here’s why it can make all the difference:
- It’ll help you pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Using the right keywords from the job description helps your CV get noticed by automated systems, so it actually lands on a recruiter’s desk.
- It shows genuine interest: Customising your CV proves to employers you’ve taken the time to understand their job, not just any position that’s available.
- It demonstrates how you’re the perfect fit: By clearly aligning your skills and experience with what the employer wants, you prove that you’re cut out for the specific role you’re applying for.
- It makes life easy for recruiters: With recruiters spending an average of just seven seconds looking at a candidate’s CV, it’s vital to ensure your suitability is clear right off the bat.
Eight ways to make your CV stand out
What should I consider when tailoring my CV?
Before you start customising, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- It takes more time: Tailoring your CV properly requires effort, so give yourself enough time to apply without rushing. Remember, it’s far more effective to spend time on a few high-quality applications than to send out fifty generic ones.
- It’s not always possible: While you should try to tailor your CV for every job, there might be situations where you can’t. For example, at a job fair or when applying speculatively, you might not have a specific job description to work from. In these cases, a more general but sector-specific CV is fine.
- You’ll have more than one version: Tailoring your CV means you’ll likely end up with several versions, each specific to a sector or job type. It’s vital to keep them organised so you can send the right one and know which version to refer to if you get called for an interview.
What parts of my CV do I need to change?
You don’t need to rewrite your entire CV from scratch every time. Focus on the sections that will best sell your skills for the specific job.
As a guideline, here are the key sections to tailor:
- Personal statement
- Work history
- Skills
- Work-related qualifications and training
How to make your CV fit the job description
Tailoring your CV is an essential step to show employers you’re a strong fit for the role. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to make your CV more relevant and compelling:
1. Research the company and role
Start by researching the company and the job you’re applying for. Review the company’s website, their social media channels, and any recent updates to understand their values and priorities. Then, carefully analyse the job description and note the key skills, qualifications, and experience the employer is seeking.
2. Review and compare your CV
Compare your current CV against the job description. Identify where your experience and skills align – and where there may be gaps. Make sure your most relevant qualifications are easy to find and featured near the top of your CV.
3. Update your personal statement
Revise your personal statement to clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills match the requirements of the specific role. Use keywords from the job description and reference the position you’re applying for to create a more focused summary.
4. Tailor your work history
Highlight the aspects of your work experience that are most relevant to the job. For each position, emphasise tasks, responsibilities, and achievements that directly relate to the requirements of the role. If you have a mix of relevant and less relevant experience, consider grouping your most applicable roles under ‘Relevant Experience.’
5. Showcase measurable results
Wherever possible, include concrete figures and outcomes to demonstrate your impact – such as ‘increased quarterly revenue by 20%’ or ‘led a team of five to deliver a project ahead of schedule.’ Quantifying your results gives employers a clear idea of your contributions.
6. Revise your skills section
Focus your skills section on those that are most relevant to the job. Use the employer’s terminology where appropriate and place the key skills near the top of your CV for visibility. You can include additional supporting skills as space allows, as long as they’re relevant.
7. Check your formatting and keywords
Ensure your CV is well-organised and visually clear. Use a simple, professional layout and avoid unusual fonts or colours. Make sure your CV includes the relevant keywords from the job description, which can help get your application noticed by both humans and applicant tracking systems.
8. Proofread and get feedback
Carefully proofread your CV to catch any spelling or grammar errors. If possible, ask a trusted friend or colleague to review it as well – a second perspective can help identify anything you may have missed.
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Tailoring CV examples
Tailoring your CV isn’t just about copying and pasting from the job advert.
Sure, you need to show your skills match what they’re looking for – but it takes more than that to prove it and stand out from the crowd. This is where you have to get personal.
For each requirement, reference a real-life example that demonstrates your ability, so think about results and achievements. After all, how else will you show you’re different from the hundreds of other applicants with the same skills?
Here are a few examples of how you can quantify your skills when tailoring your CV:
- They want someone who’s ‘innovative’: Think about a time you came up with a new idea. For example: ‘Suggested a new team structure to my manager, which reduced staff turnover by 15%’ or ‘Increased sales by 6% by reorganising the store layout more efficiently’.
- They want a ‘self-starter’: Highlight times you’ve motivated yourself to achieve something of value without being asked. For example: ‘Proactively offered to contribute to the company newsletter, writing monthly articles on industry trends’ or ‘Created a detailed marketing plan for a new product launch without being prompted.’
- They want a ‘team player’: Point out occasions when you’ve worked well with others to achieve a shared goal. For example: ‘Worked with the IT department to create a voucher scanning system which increased in-store sales by 12%’ or ‘Collaborated with the finance team to set and manage budgets for the upcoming financial year.’
- They want a ‘leader’: You don’t have to be in a senior position to have leadership skills. Prove you’ve given instructions, inspired people, or taught others. For example: ‘Inducted and trained two new assistants into the department, getting them up to speed within their first week’ or ‘Led a hiking team up a mountain during a company charity event, inspiring them to continue in challenging weather conditions.’
- They mention ‘attention to detail’: Use a moment when your keen eye made a difference. For example: ‘Spotted an error in a client’s contract that would have cost the company £2,000, and corrected it before it was sent’ or ‘Reviewed and edited over 50 product descriptions to ensure brand consistency and accuracy.’
- They say they need ‘strong communication skills’: Show off an example where you got your point across, even in tricky situations. For example: ‘Delivered a presentation to over 30 colleagues, breaking down complex information into simple, actionable steps’ or ‘Mediated a dispute between team members, resulting in a more collaborative work environment.’
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Frequently asked questions
Should I tailor my CV for every job?
Yes, you should aim to tailor your CV for every job you apply for. It significantly increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters and passing through applicant tracking systems. Quality over quantity is key in a successful job search.
How long should it take to tailor a CV?
It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on how different the role is from your existing CV. The more you practise, the quicker you’ll get. Remember, this time is an investment in your career.
How do I know if my CV is tailored enough?
A great way to check is to compare your CV to the job description. If you can tick off most of the key requirements and see relevant keywords from the ad throughout your CV, you’re on the right track. Better yet, ask yourself: ‘If I was the hiring manager, would this show I’m the right fit for the role?’ If the answer’s yes, you’re set. If not, it’s time to tweak.
Final thoughts
Tailoring your CV for every job application might feel like a chore, but trust us, it’s worth the effort.
The person reading your CV wants to know you’re a great fit for the role and that you’re genuinely excited about it. A tailored CV not only highlights your suitability but also shows your interest in the role and company. This means you’re far more likely to get shortlisted and, ultimately, land the job you want.
Let’s face it, it’s much better than blending in.
Five personal qualities valued by employers
Need more CV advice?
It takes an employer just seven seconds to save or reject a job applicant’s CV. This means creating a succinct CV is absolutely vital if you want to land that all-important interview.
To find out how to make your CV stand out from the crowd, buy James Reed’s book: The 7 Second CV: How to Land the Interview.
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