It's a fact, recruiters only give a CV 6 seconds to read. Faced with this observation and increasingly tough competition, it is difficult to stand out from the crowd. However, the CV is the first contact you establish with your potential future employer!
So, how do you stand out? To make a difference, we have prepared our 7 best tips and many examples of CVs to download to land a job interview quickly!
Our tips for attracting (and retaining) the attention of recruiters
As you can see, recruiters don't have time to dwell on a CV. Thanks to a quick scan, they can assess in just a few seconds whether you match the profile they are looking for and the job offer. If you want them to look a little more closely at your application and offer you a job interview, it is therefore essential to provide them with the right information immediately. Can we help you?
Tip #1: Adapt your CV to the job offer
If you had to follow just one rule to make your CV stand out, it would be to adapt it to the job offer you are applying for. A CV that matches the recruiter's requirements in every way will necessarily have a better chance than a "classic" CV which will be less relevant.
How to do it? By analyzing the company's advertisement and the typical position you are applying for. Let's take an example:
We are looking for an administrative and commercial assistant whose missions will be: telephone switchboard, making appointments, reception, customer information in our store, management and maintenance of the point of sale, processing of quotes and orders, supplier relations, preparation of trade fairs, telephone prospecting.
For this type of position, the skills you can highlight are:
- Administrative management
- Your interpersonal and commercial skills
- Proficiency in software such as Excel
- Speak a second language for good communication with suppliers.
Your experience in administration and sales should be highlighted as a priority to attract the attention of your recruiter.
To illustrate, this administrative assistant resume example is already pre-filled with real skills related to the position. You just have to adapt it to complement your own experiences.
Professional experiences and skills that are too far removed from the sector in which you are applying are not of interest for the position and risk losing your recruiter. Make a list of suitable skills and support your previous missions with concrete examples.
🚀 To go further, discover our top 10 of the best relational skills to add to a CV .
Clearly indicate your contact details
To get a job interview or additional information about your profile, it is essential that your recruiter can contact you easily and quickly. Clearly indicate your contact details by including them in the first part of your CV and indicating them with pictograms. Don't forget to include a link to your website or a portfolio!
💡 Good to know
Save long hours of work with a professional resume template ready to fill in within minutes. Many original resume templates are available to save you time.
Write a good hook sentence
Our CV templates allow you to include a catchy sentence to grab your recruiter's attention and make them want to read your entire CV. This part, essential to stand out, allows you to create a real summary of your profile!
🚀 In one of our guides, we give you examples of effective hook sentences for a CV. You can also find an example in the description of our CV models by profession !
Working on the layout of your CV
It has been proven that a clear and hierarchical layout makes it easier to read a document. Working on the structure and design of a resume allows the recruiter to read your application more quickly and immediately find the information they need.
So how do you make a CV more attractive? By following a few simple rules like:
- Create an architecture using blocks or columns
- Choosing the Right Font for a Modern Resume
- Manage spaces using line spacing for airy content
- Choosing the right colors for your CV design
To take care of the design of your application, we offer you this example of a current CV . Other examples of contemporary CVs can be downloaded at the end of this guide.
Quantify your achievements and results
Most applications offer lists of skills or professional experiences. What can make you stand out in a pile of CVs is quantifying your achievements! By presenting concrete figures, results, budgets or actions implemented, you reassure your recruiter and give them a clearer idea of your value within the company.
This clean CV template illustrates your achievements and results in the best possible way. A dedicated section attracts your attention with its very modern graphic elements.
Develop your human and relational qualities
Stand out with your soft skills! Soft skills make the difference between a good candidate for the job and THE candidate. Why? Because they are based on your human values: kindness, teamwork, decision-making ability, leadership, punctuality... Qualities that are not necessarily visible and that you can highlight to land the job.
The summary CV above offers you several ways to highlight your qualities: in the opening sentence, with a section dedicated to your skills, your foreign languages or your certifications.
Don't just list your skills and rely on concrete facts. This applies to a cover letter, a job interview, but also your resume!
To enhance these qualities, it is important to develop them and make them more concrete. Don't hesitate to give examples of times when soft skills have allowed you to resolve certain complex situations.
🚀 In one of our guides, we give you the best professional skills to put on your CV.
Include recommendations and references
Have you kept in good contact with your former employers, colleagues or even an internship supervisor? They could recommend your work and give your recruiter confidence. Add a "Recommendations" block to your CV and include the identity and contact details of professional contacts who can support your application.
The standard CV shows you an example. You can either write an excerpt of a recommendation or references to contact with First Name, Last Name, email address and phone number.
Use templates to become HR's favorite resume
For a CV that really stands out, it is essential to choose a modern design that will impress your recruiters. Discover our top 10 examples of contemporary CVs, easy to fill out and download, to put all our tips into practice!
The Contemporary Resume Template
This well-ventilated and highly structured CV template is ideal for your recruiter to quickly scan your application. Its graphic header available in three versions draws the eye to your document and highlights the job title and your contact details.
The sections are well organized and show at a glance what your strengths are, integrating your skills and know-how in the very first part. The dividing lines and pictograms make it easier to read the experiences and training. Finally, a tab is reserved for interests.
📥 Download our contemporary CV template
An elegant resume template
This very neat CV template combines modernity, elegance and originality. Its left section is enhanced by a colored background to highlight the main information of your application: the photograph, the name and the job title, your contact details indicated by red pictograms, the level of languages spoken, the office tools mastered and your interests.
Editable at will, it offers great possibilities! The right part, very professional, gives an overview of your experiences and training in chronological order. The last block is reserved for skills, highlighted by progress bars and percentages.
📥 Download our neat and elegant CV template
Our formal resume template
Are you looking for a professional CV template? This example of a formal CV is made for you! Thanks to its classic structure with two vertical columns and its clear reading, it appeals to candidates and recruiters alike.
A little touch of originality can be added by using pictograms for your hobbies. On the left, we find the candidate's information: photo, contact details, professional and linguistic skills. On the right, we first have access to the title of the position sought and the catchphrase, then to the job seeker's experiences and training.
📥 Download the professional CV template
The aesthetic CV template
The design of this CV, very neat, will definitely hit the mark with your recruiter. Its geometric graphics bring a modern touch that perfectly matches your desire for a contemporary CV!
Its classic and efficient structure remains very professional, so as not to fall into an excess of originality. The name and the title of the position are highlighted by a frame. The contact details of the candidate appear in the left section, before a "description" part in which to integrate your catchphrase.
Skills are highlighted by level bars, to be filled in according to your mastery. As in most CVs, we find professional experiences classified in the order of your choice and training.
📥 Download this designer CV template
A CV template for students
This CV example is suitable for student or graduate profiles, with or without professional experience. Thanks to its well-thought-out structure, you can highlight your education and skills before your professional experience and thus avoid a gap in your CV.
Its graphic elements, in modern colors, will allow you to stand out and catch the eye of your recruiter. The focus is on your name, your catchphrase and a short description to highlight your application. A section is provided for your contact details and the languages spoken. The little extra? A special location to highlight your soft skills!
📥 Download the student and bachelor CV template
The special beginner's CV template
You don't have any professional experience to highlight yet? We were all beginners at one time! To put all the chances on your side when looking for an internship or a first job, we have designed the special beginner CV template.
Its geometric and colorful shapes make it an attractive CV that will definitely impress your recruiter! In a contrasting section, we find your entire profile: a contact section with your contact details, your technical skills, your language skills and your interests. The main section covers diplomas and training, then your first professional experiences.
📥 Download the CV template for beginners
Our beautiful CV template
This resume template is suitable for all types of positions thanks to its balanced structure and modern and attractive lines. Its professional layout allows you not to take any risks! The main part of the resume leaves room to detail your presentation, your professional experiences and even your training.
In a colorful section on the left, the recruiter has access to the main information of your profile: a photo, your name, a catchy phrase, your contact details, the languages spoken, an overview of skills and finally your interests in the form of pictograms.
📥 Download a beautiful and effective CV template
The profile CV template
The profile CV offers a clarity appreciated by candidates and recruiters. Its very airy structure is original, while remaining sober and professional. Its colored lines separate the sections and draw the eye to the center of the CV. A large space is offered to the candidate's face, his name, but also to the "about" part which allows you to integrate an effective catchphrase!
In addition to contact details, links to your networks can be added to refer your recruiter to a portfolio or references. Training and professional experience can be detailed: functions, missions, results or a simple description of your specialties.
📥 Download the design CV template
Our quick resume template
Don't want to waste time formatting your CV? This simple and effective template is easy and simple to fill out. Everything is editable, from the choice of colours to your headings!
Its clean layout is clear and professional, to convince your recruiter. The header of your CV is simple, it highlights your photo and your "about" in which to integrate a summary of your CV or your catchphrase.
The structure is organized into two sections, one of which includes: your contact details, skills and references. The main column highlights your training and professional experience.
📥 Download the quick and easy CV template
The latest and modern CV template
For an ultra-modern application, discover the recent CV template! Its structure is designed to suit all types of positions and its colors make it more attractive for an application that stands out. Its professional and airy layout highlights your information for faster reading.
The left section, with a colored background, allows you to include a photograph and recalls your profile: name, job title and age. The "to know" section gives your contact details, another called "in two words" indicates your qualities. The languages spoken and professional skills are highlighted by evocative pictograms.
In the main section, we discover your experiences and your education. A separate block allows you to add your passions, in a different typography.
📥 Download this modern resume template
🚀 Are you still hesitating in choosing the model?
Find our entire collection of CVs here to save you time or inspire you. Stand out with our downloadable CV templates and discover the rest of our guides and tips to maximize your chances of landing an interview!
