Recruiters see thousands of CVs. AI reads even more. If you want to break through the noise and land that dream role, your CV needs to be smarter, sharper, and strategically crafted. Here’s how to hack your CV like a pro and avoid the dreaded rejection pile.
1. What Recruiters (and AI) Actually Read
Spoiler alert: they’re not reading your CV like a novel. Humans skim. AI scans. Both are looking for relevance.
- Recruiters: They spend an average of six seconds on the first scan. They’re looking for key skills, career progression, and evidence that you fit the role.
- AI Screening Software: These systems hunt for keywords and formatting consistency. If your CV isn’t structured properly or lacks the right words, it might never reach human eyes.
Hack: Tailor your CV for each job. Use industry-specific keywords (pulled from the job description) to increase your chances of passing AI filters.
2. Power Words That Make an Impact (And the Ones to Ditch)
Words matter. Some scream ‘high achiever,’ others whisper ‘bland and forgettable.’
Use these:
- Led, spearheaded, transformed (Leadership & Initiative)
- Optimised, streamlined, accelerated (Efficiency & Impact)
- Delivered, executed, pioneered (Results-Oriented)
Ditch these:
- Assisted (Too vague—what did you actually do?)
- Responsible for (Passive, uninspiring—own your achievements!)
- Administration (Unless it’s a core function, reframe it to show strategic value)
Hack: Quantify your impact. Instead of “Managed a team,” say “Led a team of 10, increasing efficiency by 25%.”
3. Formatting Hacks: How to Make Your CV Visually Stand Out
Your CV should be easy to scan, not a wall of text. Formatting can make or break it.
Keep it clean and simple – Stick to professional fonts (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica). No Comic Sans, please. Use bullet points – Recruiters love bite-sized information. White space is your friend – Cramming text into every inch of the page? Don’t. Bold key achievements – Let the important stuff pop. Use consistent formatting – If dates are left-aligned in one job, keep them that way throughout.
Hack: Stick to one or two pages max. Unless you’re a seasoned executive, recruiters don’t need your life story.
4. Common Mistakes That Get CVs Tossed Aside
Some mistakes are instant dealbreakers. Avoid these at all costs:
Typos & Grammar Errors – Spellcheck exists for a reason. Generic CVs – If you’re mass-applying with the same document, you’re reducing your chances. Too Much Jargon – Yes, you’re an expert, but make sure a non-specialist (like HR) can understand your value. Unnecessary Personal Info – Your date of birth, marital status, and hobbies aren’t needed unless explicitly relevant.
Hack: Get a second pair of eyes on your CV. A fresh perspective can catch mistakes and highlight areas for improvement.
The Final Hack: Stand Out by Being You
A strong CV gets you noticed, but your personality and potential get you hired. Let your CV be a reflection of your best professional self—polished, confident, and ready to land that dream job.
Need an expert to help you get it just right? At Calibrate, we’re in your corner. Let’s make your next career move the best one yet.
