Take a moment, if you will, to think about the plight of your average recruiter or hiring manager. A huge part of their job is staring at CV's day in, day out. Although they're highly skilled at picking out the most relevant parts and assessing whether a candidate is a god fit for a role, it's fair to say that they can sometimes start to look a little...samey.
Added to that, consider that on average only 2% of candidates who apply for a role are invited for an interview, and that the typical UK jobseeker will apply for 27 roles before finally landing one. With all this in mind, it’s easy to see why adding personality to your CV to stand out from the crowd can be a game-changer in your job search.
Of course, how creative you can get will depend on the type of role you’re applying for, and your seniority. However, if you’re applying for jobs that value using your imagination and thinking differently, we’ve got some sure-fire ways to make an impression with your CV.
1. Get creative with your personal bio
This is one of our top CV tips for people in creative industries.
Most CVs have a small personal profile at the top – a space to outline who you are as a professional, your skills, and maybe to underscore some of your main achievements. A typical professional bio might sound something like this:
"I’m a highly motivated professional with 15 years of experience in marketing. I have a proven track record of driving successful marketing campaigns and achieving measurable results. I am skilled in market analysis, SEO, and content strategy."
Being as you’ll likely be submitting a slightly different CV for every role you apply for, this is an opportunity to assess the culture and general tone-of-voice of the company you want to work for. Do they come across as quirky and fun? If so, amending your bio to match can be one of the simplest ways to add personality to your CV.
“Marketing maverick on a mission to save the world from boring content, turning analytics into action and data into decisions since 2008. When it comes to the art of persuasion, I’ve got the t-shirt – and I could probably sell you one, too.”
Even if you’d rather keep your personal bio more professional, there’s no reason you shouldn’t give potential employers a little flavour of your personality, or what you’re most passionate about. For example, you could mention something that inspires you, or a daily habit you stick to religiously. This could turn out to be a great conversation starter in a job interview.
2. Design your own logo
This can be a tricky one – you want to look professional, without coming off as a wannabe Apprentice contestant. However, a small, understated logo on your CV can show that you’ve put a great deal of thought into your personal brand, and that you’re the kind of person who really cares about attention to detail. It can also be a nice way to make sure you stick in the recruiter or hiring manager’s mind. For tips on creating your own personal logo, we asked Gleeson’s graphic designer to give us a couple of tips:
“Experiment with different logo styles. You don’t want to just go with the first logo you create – having multiple options is always good. Put all your variations on one document, as this is always a good visual and helps brings your ideas together. You may like elements from each one, which could inspire the final version!” “Pick the right typography. Fonts are a hard one, especially for anyone who isn’t a designer. Try and choose something that you think best represents you, is this a serif or sans serif font? Do you want something that’s fun, or more corporate? Whatever you go for, just make sure the font is legible!”
3. Share your interests, hobbies and charity work
The question ‘Should I add my hobbies to my CV?’ can be the topic of debate – some recruiters and hiring managers will tell you it takes up unnecessary space, while others will say it provides a glimpse into who you are and further strengthens your personal brand. Again, here you’ll need to judge the type of role you’re applying for along with the company, and see whether it’s relevant. For example, if you’re applying for a job with a sports brand and you’re a keen runner, it’s a no-brainer.
You should also consider whether your hobbies or interests align with the skills you’ll be carrying out within the role. For example, perhaps you’re applying for a strategic role like a product or marketing manager, and you’re also a chess enthusiast; listing this hobby is a way to subtly mention that you’re used to thinking a few steps ahead, and that you thrive in analysing complex situations.
Listing any work you’ve done for charity can also highlight your commitment to social responsibility and community engagement – an increasingly important concern for companies, and a good way to stand out in a competitive job market. In fact, research reveals that nearly 20% of line managers believe that those with volunteering and community work to their name are much more likely to be successful.
4. Avoid buzzwords and cliches
“I’m a motivated self-starter able to hit the ground running and thrive in a fast-paced environment. I’m relentlessly committed to optimising workflows and creating value-added solutions, making me an invaluable asset to any forward-thinking organisation.”
We all feel like these are the kinds of statements we’re supposed to make on our CVs, but what does this actually tell a recruiter or prospective employer about you? Not much. When considering how to add personality to your CV, being original in your choice of words and phrases is a great start, along with adding concrete and specific examples of your skills and accomplishments.
For instance, instead of saying, "I'm a motivated self-starter," mention a specific project you initiated or a challenge you tackled without direct supervision. Rather than claiming you "thrive in a fast-paced environment," describe a situation where you successfully met tight deadlines or handled high-pressure situations.
And don’t be afraid to use language that gives recruiters and hiring managers a glimpse into who you really are, either. For example, if you’re passionate about your industry or sector, you could mention where that passion began. If you’ve worked on a project or campaign that really resonated with your opinions and values, talk about why.
Ultimately, adding personality to your CV is all about striking a balance between professionalism and authenticity, and finding ways to showcase your unique qualities while ensuring your CV remains relevant to the job you're applying for. Remember, the goal is to leave an impression on recruiters and hiring managers, making them eager to learn more about the person behind the paper!
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