Eight Tips to Make Your CV Stand Out

Make your first impression count.

Your CV is often the first thing potential employers see, making it crucial to get it right before applying for your next role. A well-crafted CV clearly highlights your responsibilities and achievements, demonstrating the tangible value you can bring to a prospective employer and their legal team.

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Eight Tips to Make Your CV Stand Out:

Keep It Professional‍

Focus on a clean, professional layout. Avoid unnecessary graphics, colours, or clutter. Your content should be the hero—not the visuals.‍

Include a Personal Statement‍

Start your CV with a concise summary of who you are and what unique skills you offer. Ensure it's tailored specifically to the job you’re applying for.‍

Simplify Your Format

Use bullet points and brief paragraphs to maintain readability. Your CV should ideally be 1-2 pages, highlighting relevant experience clearly and succinctly.‍

Highlight Achievements, Not Just Tasks

Employers are interested in your impact. Instead of listing responsibilities, emphasize accomplishments with quantifiable results, such as "Led legal oversight for the company’s expansion into three new markets (UK, U.S., Canada),” or “Directed legal processes for a €5M Series A funding round."

Showcase Your Specialism

If the role specifies niche legal areas like GDPR, Financial Regulations, IP, or Capital Markets, highlight your experience in these early on. If you’re versatile and ready to dive into varied topics, make this clear.

Prioritize Recent Experience

Focus on your most recent and relevant roles. For senior lawyers, early career positions or internships may be briefly mentioned but keep emphasis on current, impactful experiences.

Tailor Your CV

Adapt your CV to every job application. Align your experiences and skills closely with the job description to increase your relevance.

Cover the Essentials

Ensure you include essential details: contact information, education, and professional history. Always double-check your CV for typos or errors—attention to detail reflects your professionalism.

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Your CV represents your professional journey and value. Craft it thoughtfully, and it will become your gateway to new opportunities.