A well-designed curriculum vitae can help you catch recruiters’ attention. Faye Longhurst shares key tips
A curriculum vitae (CV) is one of the most important projects we design in our lifetime; taking a blank canvas and filling it with achievements, skills and experience as we grow our career. With more applicants than ever for each role, today’s job market has become increasingly saturated. Because of this, recruiters are often overwhelmed with the number of applications and, crucially: cookie cutter CVs that all look the same.
69% of the job seekers we surveyed in the UK said generative AI helped them to feel more creative during the CV-building process
A recent report from Canva revealed that most (66%) of UK hiring managers expect text-based CVs to be obsolete within five years, with nearly three-quarters (68%) preferring CVs with visual elements like images and graphics. As we transition to a visual-first world, candidates are expected to better leverage design tools to support their personal masterpieces and, ultimately, stand out from the crowd. So, where should job seekers start?
Sketching the outline of your professional identity
Most UK hiring managers (91%) agree that the influence of a candidate’s digital branding – presented through style, design and language on their CV and application materials – is influential in the hiring process. Using design tools to build a CV allows job seekers to reflect their unique style and personality, all while finding a template which suits their industry. This can be something as simple as choosing a distinctive colour scheme or keeping your fonts consistent to build a recognisable brand identity. In fact, a survey of global hiring managers found that those who are “very satisfied” with the CVs they see describe them as modern (55%), exciting (47%) and colourful (62%).
To lift their professional identity even more, candidates shouldn’t overlook the cover letter. Here, candidates can include infographics or visual hierarchies – using contrast, balance, emphasis and scale to lead the eye through each area of a design – to draw attention to key achievements. For example, data analysts or sales specialists could think about using infographics to make complex data and points easier to digest and more insightful. For those in digital roles, such as UX designers and social media managers, leveraging visual hierarchies might help to show a deeper understanding of how audiences consume information.
Framing personal achievements
Job seekers can go beyond traditional CVs and explore multimedia and interactive features like digital portfolios, animations, video introductions, code snippets and design projects. Our research showed that interactive CVs are growing in prominence with 71% of hiring managers in the UK favouring them, up from 65% last year. When used strategically, these multimedia features can show you have a good handle of the role, the company culture, and the wider industry. For instance, someone applying at a neo bank, might add a video introduction or a portfolio of social media assets to highlight digital and media experience. In fact, social media has become a key factor in the success of an application; three- quarters (75%) of UK hiring managers emphasise the importance of LinkedIn, with 80% highlighting how valuable it is for a candidate to have established a social media or online presence related to their career.
Enhancing creativity using generative AI
Just like how you’d spend time best preparing for an interview, it’s important to give your CV the same treatment, making sure it’s as good as it can be, is polished and presentable. 61% of UK hiring managers revealed they first look for professional presentation in CVs. That’s why top recruiters are encouraging job seekers to use AI tools when applying for jobs, as more employers are warming up to this technology. Canva data shows that over half (52%) of UK job seekers have used generative AI to update or create a new CV. This trend is particularly notable among younger generations, with 65% of Gen Z and 60% of millennials in the UK opting for AI-powered resumes. 80% of respondents felt generative AI made it easier for them to create a winning CV and 78% felt it saved valuable time.
But, AI is doing more than just the basics; it’s acting like a creative CV assistant for pointers on style, structure and tone. In fact, 69% of the job seekers we surveyed in the UK said generative AI helped them to feel more creative during the CV-building process, particularly older generations with 73% of GenX and Baby Boomers agreeing. By analysing large data sets and learning from different CV templates, AI can recommend the best formats for specific emails and suggest keywords to grab recruiters’ attention. AI, when used in a considered way, offers a fresh perspective on tailoring a CV to specific industries, ultimately transforming the creative process.
Showcasing strong design tool knowledge
The other key advantage of using visual design tools is that it highlights candidate’s skills with digital templates, designs and assets. In today’s visual workplace economy, these skills are invaluable to most everyday roles. Our recent Visual Economy Report found that nearly three-quarters (71%) of UK business leaders believe that visual communication has increased business performance. Plus, nearly two-thirds (62%) now expect everyone in the company to have solid design know-how. In such a challenging job market, showcasing skills with design tools might just be the extra edge an applicant needs to stand out.
Therefore, it’s clear that creative tools are a non-negotiable for applications. A strong visual identity boosts brand recognition and frames the narrative of who someone is and what they stand for professionally. By adding personal flair to achievements, candidates can build a memorable brand across digital platforms like websites, portfolios, and social media – setting them apart from the sea of generic résumé.
Faye Longhurst is Regional People Lead Europe at Canva
