How to Stand Out with Your CV and Cover Letter
You’ve found a job opening that excites you, yes! But you’re not the only one. A recruiter often receives anywhere from 10 to 50 applications for a single role. And let’s be honest: they usually spend just a few seconds scanning a CV and cover letter. U have somewhere in between 5 to 20 seconds(!) to make a good impression.
That means you need to stand out right away. Not with bells and whistles, but with clarity, relevance, and a personal touch. By showing: I understand what you’re looking for, and I’m worth inviting!
What Makes a Strong CV?
A great CV is short, powerful, and easy to scan. It’s not a collection of everything you’ve ever done, but a sharp selection of what’s most relevant now.
Keep it to a maximum of 1–2 pages.
Start with your most recent experience and work backwards.
Use bullet points to clearly highlight tasks and achievements.
Bold job titles and keywords so recruiters can scan quickly.
Focus on impact: what did you achieve, change, or improve?
And remember: a CV can also show a bit of personality. A short profile summary at the top gives your story a face. Hobbies or volunteer work can add that little extra—especially if they say something about your character or interests. An employer wants to know who you are and what you’re able to do.
Don’t Fall for Visual Gimmicks
You see them everywhere these days: dots or bars behind skills.
For example:
Teamwork ●●●●○
Excel █████░░░░
It looks modern, but honestly… it says nothing. What does four out of five dots really mean? Or 70% Excel knowledge? And who decides that? For recruiters, these visuals are often confusing and meaningless. Especially with soft skills like teamwork, communication, or resilience, they can even backfire. Instead, demonstrate these skills with examples from your experience: When did you use this skill? What was the result?
If you still want to indicate proficiency, do it only for hard skills and make it measurable. For example:
Language: English – CEFR B2
Software: Skilled in Excel (pivot tables, formulas, charts)
In short: keep it clean, professional, and relevant.
Tailoring to the Job is crucial
A recruiter always reads your CV and cover letter in the context of the job description. They’re scanning for recognition: Do I see what we’re asking for here?
That’s why one standard document won’t work. You need to show that your skills and experience align with what’s in the job ad.
Highlight the key words and competencies from the vacancy in your CV.
Mention those same points in your cover letter.
Frame your experience in a way that makes it clear: you fit the role.
That’s the difference between blending into the pile… or standing out.
And Then… The Cover Letter
The cover letter is your chance to make the story personal. Why this role? Why this company? What excites you about it?
Write it as if you were sitting across from someone explaining your motivation. No stiff essay or overcomplicated sentences, but a clear and honest story.
For example, explain:
Why you’re interested in this role or organization.
What resonates with you in their mission, approach, or product.
How your experience or drive matches what they’re looking for.
And yes: also what you don’t know yet but want to learn—this shows courage and self-awareness.
Structure your letter in paragraphs per theme, and keep it between half and one page.
And finally: make sure you write it yourself. Recruiters can instantly spot a ChatGPT-generated or template-based letter. It’s fine to use support for phrasing, but make sure the final version carries your voice and energy.
In Summary
A strong application isn’t a trick. It’s a mix of strategy and personality. By making your CV and cover letter clear, tailored, and authentic, you massively increase your chances. Not by shouting louder than others, but by writing smarter. By showing: “I know who I am, what I bring, and why I fit your team.” And if it doesn’t succeed immediately? No worries. With some practice, guidance and honest feedback you’ll learn how you present yourself in the right way. Do you already have a good resume and able to write motivational letters? Good news! Then it’s time to prepare yourself for the interviews.
And if it doesn’t work out right away? Don’t worry. With practice, guidance, and honest feedback, you’ll get better at presenting yourself. At Nexie, we help you 1-on-1 to align your CV and cover letter with who you are and where you want to go. Together we’ll make sure your application gets noticed. Book a free session today.
