Making your CV work for YOU (for UK grad roles!)

Hey everyone, I know CV writing can feel like a massive hurdle when you're applying for grad schemes and entry-level jobs. It's so tempting to just use one generic CV for everything, but honestly, that's the quickest way to end up in the 'no' pile. I've been there, and what I found really made a difference was tailoring my CV for each and every application. First off, let's nail the basics for the UK. No need for 'Curriculum Vitae' at the top, no photos, and definitely no age or marital status. Keep your contact details clear at the top, and make sure your email address sounds professional. If you've got a polished LinkedIn profile, definitely link it – just make sure it matches your CV! One thing I wrestled with was the personal statement. A lot of templates suggest one, but I found that unless the job ad specifically asked for a 'profile' or I wasn't submitting a cover letter, it often felt generic. What worked better for me was a short 'Key Achievements' section, maybe 3-4 bullet points right at the top, highlighting my most relevant successes for *that specific role*. It's much punchier and shows you've thought about what they're looking for. For your education, always list it in reverse chronological order. Be clear with predicted grades if you haven't finished yet. If you took modules that are super relevant to the job – especially for technical roles or anything requiring strong analytical skills – definitely highlight them and mention your marks if they were good. Group your GCSEs rather than listing them all individually – employers usually just want to see the numbers of passes you got. Now, work experience. Don't underestimate those part-time jobs! My retail and hospitality experience felt miles away from my desired grad role, but I learned to frame it properly. Instead of just listing duties, I focused on transferable skills: customer service, problem-solving, teamwork, resilience, handling money, working under pressure. Quantify your impact where you can – "served 50+ customers per shift" or "contributed to a 10% increase in upsells." Employers love evidence! Use action verbs and keep your bullet points concise. If you have several similar roles, you can group them, but make sure to pull out unique achievements from each. And don't forget your extracurriculars and volunteering! These are brilliant for showing initiative, leadership, and commitment. Whether it's a society role, sports team, or charity work, treat it like work experience: describe your responsibilities, what you achieved, and the skills you developed. Again, quantify if possible – "organised events for 100+ members" or "raised £X for charity." It takes a bit more time, but trust me, a tailored CV that focuses on what the employer needs is your best shot. What's one CV tip that's really helped you stand out?