5 CV Trends to Apply to Your Next CV

The Cambridge dictionary defines a trend as a “general development or change in a situation or the way people are behaving: a fashion”. While job applications, CV, and cover letters are more serious than the latest handbag fashion, they nonetheless follow trends. If you want to impress recruiters, then you will have to ensure that your CV is up to date. However, not all CV trends are worth following; knowing how to identify useful trends is key to success.

No matter what CV trends come and go, there are certain sections that every CV should have. A basic understanding of the key components of a CV will help you to implement CV trends effectively without compromising the functionality and the readability of your CV. These are the five sections that should be in every effective CV:

 

Clear and correct contact information is needed from every applicant including your full name and phone number. You can also add your social media links, such as your LinkedIn profile.

 

 

In this section, you give an overview of your top career highlights relevant to the position. Describe your professional or academic specialisations, key skills or relevant attributes, and key achievements to show why you’re the ideal candidate.

 

This section should be focused on what you can offer to a potential employer by highlighting what makes you unique. You can also highlight your affiliations with any professional bodies or groups. Think of these as lengthier descriptions of the most important attributes that would otherwise belong on your skills list.

 

 

These sections represent technical or special skills that directly reference the terms used in the job description.

 

 

The education section should be presented in reverse-chronological order with your high school listed last and with the least detail — you do not need to include your grades.

 

This section should be presented in reverse-chronological order, just as with a professional CV, and highlight your main achievements and professional skills. Remember to include quantifiable metrics to demonstrate precisely what you contributed to past employers.

 

Academic and professional achievements you have received.

 

Credentials earned via training online, night classes etc.

 

List research papers, articles or other published writing related to your work.

 

Here you’d list financial grants or admittance into fellowships. This shows potential employers that you’ve proven yourself to influential people in your field.

 

Shows your commitment to taking a more holistic interest in your industry through networking, learning from peers, and more.

 

Highlight which major, industry-relevant associations you’re a part of or have worked with directly.

The best CV is one that not only displays a job seeker’s competencies but stands out from other generic CV that hiring managers have to wade through. If you use trends to your advantage, you can create an eye-catching, current CV. Here are five key trends you should keep in mind when CV writing this year:

 

 

Keywords are crucial to CV these days because so many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to ensure that the most relevant applications get to the eyes of a human recruiter. This is why pulling keywords from job postings (e.g., specific skills the employer wants) and incorporating them into your CV has become a useful and widespread CV trend. Optimise your CV to ensure it is ATS-friendly by incorporating keywords in your summary, skills and work experience sections. 

 

 

Infographics and bold design elements are slowly falling out of favour; minimalism is the latest trend in CV layouts. Streamlined CV templates are easy to find and can help your CV pass applicant tracking systems by making it easier to scan. 

 

 

The traditional chronological CV format is back in style because of its easy to read, elegant style. If you have a decent amount of work experience, you probably already use this format, but it can also be useful for entry-level job seekers. By using a chronological format and presenting all of your relevant experience, either from work, coursework, or unpaid work, in reverse chronological order, you will make it easy for recruiters to see your potential.

 

 

Simplicity is king. The trend for shorter, more concise CV is here to stay. While there may be times when a two-page CV can be appropriate, it is generally preferable to stick to a single page. Unless you are applying for senior-level jobs, keep it short and sweet! 

 

 

Humility is out; confidence is the new trend, and if you want to navigate the hiring process with style, you need to use action verbs (e.g., “managed” or “oversaw”) and specific metrics (e.g., “Ran campaign that increased user engagement by 12%”) when discussing your achievements and relevant work experience.