Article by Give A Grad A Go
But none more important than your graduate CV.
It is always the first thing that employers (or recruiters) see. So, it needs to be good enough to sustain interest but also propel your application forward.
It is not just as simple as listing your experience, skills, and achievements (however important it may be to cover these factors).
Design, presentation, brevity, and tone are all factors that will subtly influence how your CV is read and received.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for a FinTech job, a graduate Fashion job, or a career in Marketing – a well-thought out CV is the key to mastering any application process.
CVs are ultimately a concise and dynamic way to sell yourself.
Without a good one, you are unlikely to get an interview. And without an interview, you won’t get the job.
But, not only are they the foundation for a good application, they can be the foundation for your own understanding of yourself.
This may sound overdramatic, but being forced to present yourself and your skills in a short and interesting way can be formative. It can help you understand your own assets better, and will make you more prepared for the later interview stages.
So, here is our best advice on how to write one!
Maybe a recruiter’s most crucial piece of advice. Your life may have been long, fruitful, and interesting – but do not underestimate how many CVs employers have to get through, and how little time they have.
Of course, do not cut information at the cost of really important experience or skills, but be brutal with yourself. Get friends and family to read it, edit it thoroughly, and find an economic design that helps you utilise the space!
Employers won’t be impressed by a CV that’s been clearly duplicated across multiple applications. Although it is good to have a standard CV on-hand, if you’re really passionate about a job or a company, you should think about tailoring your CV to the specifics of what you’re applying for.
Think about subtle things, like the business’ size and company culture, or the kind of individuals you’ll be working with. For example, it’s important to consider whether you’ll be at a global brand or working at a startup, and these specifics should be reflected in how you write.
This is the sort of stuff you can find in the job specification or on the company website, and you’ll help yourself stand out if you’ve paid attention to it. Likewise, read the job responsibilities and requirements carefully, and demonstrate how your experience will help you carry these out.
You also have to address the brutal reality that employers may be scanning a lot of CVs very quickly. So, you have to think very carefully about how to grab employer attention!
Make sure the information that pertains most significantly to this job is front and centre, and then build your CV around that. Whether it’s the first thing you outline, or the stuff that’s most visible on the page, assure that your key selling points are prioritised.
As well as this, think about the style of your CV, and whether that design is relevant to the job. For example, if you’re applying for a more creative job, don’t be afraid to display this sentiment in your CV.
Of course, balance it with professionalism, but a creative CV is a very direct and practical way to demonstrate that you’re a dynamic thinker. If you’re feeling really inventive, why not try making a CV in the style of a company’s branding or product?
You may have long forgotten your memories of school corridors and distracted Maths classrooms – but your potential employer still cares! And, if you’re happy with your grades, it is still a good way to display that you’ve been a hard worker for a long period of time.
You can present this information in very little detail, but recruiters and hiring managers will still look out for it.
In many cases, your grades are unlikely to be a priority. But omitting it entirely will cause more issues than it will solve!
While you’re busy trying to figure out how to design an eye-catching CV, don’t forget the very basics! It might surprise you how many graduates forget to outline their contact details in their CV, for example.
Make sure your name, email, and contact number (at the very least) are put in bold at the top of your CV, so it’s instantly clear how to contact you.
It’s also useful to add a short personal statement about yourself towards the top of the page. Keep it to a couple of sentences, and just introduce some of your general experience and skills.
This can be a bold, pithy, and engaging way to introduce the employer to who you are, and why you can be a good fit for their company.
At the end of the day, everything starts at your CV. Both your ability to impress the employer and the eventual confidence you’ll need for the interview are cultivated in this early stage.
So – buckle down, think thoroughly and follow these tips to make sure your graduate CV is the best it can be!
April
23apr12:0013:00The Perfect CV Masterclass | WeAreTheCity & City CV
23/04/2025 12:00 - 13:00(GMT+01:00)
WeAreTheCity & City CV are thrilled to present
Your CV is the passport to your professional future. The right one will bypass the technology and the initial 5-second human scan to earmark you for your target role. Isn’t that what a great CV is all about?
Writing your own CV doesn’t come naturally. Everyone benefits from fresh eyes, perspective and industry insight. Your CV must articulate your distinctive skills and attributes in a way that shows the value you bring to your future employer. With fewer open roles in the market, it’s never been more important to understand what recruiters look for in a CV, overhaul your CV and have your burning questions answered.
In this one-hour masterclass, learn CV writing tips and strategies from Victoria McLean, Founder and CEO of City CV – and a career industry expert, award winning CV writer and coach, who has helped over 20,000 candidates secure their dream role. Victoria has developed a nuanced and strategic approach, fusing market knowledge with a deep understanding of recruitment techniques to help build your brand and create a compelling CV story.
Learn how to create a strong and authentic CV which will get you noticed for the right reasons. Expertise and insider knowledge gathered from years of international CV writing and recruiting will be shared, including:
Looking for more career support? Explore our Career Resources page. Ready to take the next step? Browse the latest opportunities on our Job Board and find your perfect role today!
24apr10:0010:45Menopause & Mental Health | Free Taster Session
24/04/2025 10:00 - 10:45(GMT+01:00)
Menopause can have a profound impact on mental health – but too often, this is misunderstood, overlooked, or even ignored in professional environments. While organisations are
The truth is, for many women and those experiencing menopause, symptoms can go far beyond hot flushes. Brain fog, anxiety, low mood, and sleep disruption can affect confidence, performance, and overall mental health. Without the right support in place, these challenges can lead to increased absenteeism, presenteeism, or even cause people to leave the workforce altogether.
This 45-minute session is designed to change that. It’s a practical, supportive space for managers, HR professionals and wellbeing leads to build the confidence to spot the signs, open up conversations and create a culture where no one has to suffer in silence.
Whether you’re at the beginning of this journey or looking to strengthen your organisation’s approach, this session will help you better understand the mental health impact of menopause – and empower you to respond with empathy and confidence.
You’ll walk away with:
✅ A clearer understanding of how menopause can affect mental health in the workplace
✅ Confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling – and how to offer support
✅ A simple, effective approach to starting wellbeing conversations that make a difference
DATE: Thursday 24 April 2025
TIME: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
This isn’t about becoming an expert – it’s about showing up, listening, and learning how to create an environment where people feel seen, heard and supported.
Because when organisations take menopause seriously, everyone benefits.
Let’s start the conversation.
29apr11:4514:00Women in Business Networking - London networking - London City
29/04/2025 11:45 - 14:00(GMT+01:00)
The Anthologist
58 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7BB
Kick off your 2025 in style by networking with us. A fabulous mix of formal & informal networking over a facilitated business lunch
WIBN networking is here to create a platform for like-minded women, who passionately drive their business forward and collaborate with others to help them achieve success.
WIBN is a business network organisation for women business owners and employed professionals, who network each month over a facilitated business lunch. Our members support and encourage each other through collaboration and the sharing of business contacts and opportunities. The meetings are structured and effective, whilst also being supportive and friendly!
As Women Business Owners we know that one person can transform your business but think what you could achieve with a tribe of supportive and passionate business owners?? At WIBN we recognise that often women lack relevant networking opportunities simply because they network in a different way to men!
Our monthly meetings are a fabulous mix of formal and informal networking which includes your own 60 secs pitch, a focused spotlight session from a member and lunch.Our philosophy in this group is simple – No sister left behind! Come along to our WIBN group as a visitor and experience the potential to grow your business in a more productive way.
WIBN has a professional exclusivity policy so it’s one profession per group – see below * . As long as your profession is not already represented you would be welcome to visit a group twice before deciding if you want to join.
WIBN is a monthly membership group and a 12 month commitment will be required after you have visited a maximum of two times. Full details and prices will be given at the meeting.
*in the event that your profession is already represented at your chosen meeting then the organiser saves the right to propose another place or date. If we cannot relocate you then a full refund will be given.
30apr10:0016:00Women's Health Champion Course (CPD Accredited)
30/04/2025 10:00 - 16:00(GMT+01:00)
Periods, menopause,
They’re everyday realities for millions of women and they directly impact performance, engagement and retention.
But stigma, silence and a lack of knowledge mean many managers and HR professionals don’t know how to spot the signs or have the right conversations.
It’s time to change that.
Our Women’s Health Champion Training is designed to break the silence and build real, practical support in your organisation – every single day.
Delivered by two expert trainers, this engaging course covers:
✅ Menstrual health and managing period-related challenges
✅ Fertility, pregnancy, and baby loss (including returning to work)
✅ Gynaecological conditions like endometriosis, fibroids and PCOS
✅ Menopause and long-term wellbeing
✅ Practical strategies to create a truly inclusive culture
Date: Wednesday 30th April 2025
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Place: Zoom
Cost: £495 per person
Or get in touch if you’d like us to create a bespoke course for your organisation.