"How to make your CV sparkle..."

Read this interesting blog article from someone who is also writing for grads.co.uk, he made some valid points on how to make your CV stand out from others, and he was able to recognize everything he was writing was a giant cliche. However, I just have a massive issue with one of his points mainly because not everyone is able to do it and it's just not realistic to most.

Here's a link to it...

http://blog.grads.co.uk/2012/08/22/how-to-make-your-cv-sparkle/

Point One...

"Study Abroad" Fair point to anyone that is able to study abroad, but most universities do not offer this opportunity so WHY would you suggest it when it's clearly not accessible to most students.

Point Three...

"Volunteer" A very fair point, everyone can get involved in volunteering and lets face it, helping a local charity litter pick looks alright on your CV.... not everyone can afford to go to Africa and build a school, toff.

Point Two...

"Travel" Now this annoys me more than it probably should, but not everyone has £5000 readily available to just wander off around the world going to Australia for a month then onto New Zealand and maybe a trip to Fiji - most people, just don't have the resources to go off travelling for a year after university and come back with stories to tell of them just sitting on beaches or not showering for a week. (eww)  I have friends who have gone travelling, my friend Jen went to Australia for two years and I have nothing but respect for her because she didn't just mess about for two years, she worked hard and as a result was able to have an amazing time too, for that, she has my respect. But this guy writing this post although understands the idea of travelling is a cliche, it's an unrealistic goal that most students just cannot afford to do.

Props to the people that are able to do it, but unfortunately, it's an unrealistic way to improve your CV unless you're sitting on a pot of gold.

My top three CV tips.

1. Volunteer - yes, I know it's not ideal interrupting our amazing social lives (you what?!) but, you're helping your community and putting something attractive on your CV, and charities are always wanting volunteers, they can't get enough of them!

2. Include important occasions which you've been involved in. If you've helped organize events, charity days, coffee mornings etc, really squeeze every bit from it. It will show your dedication, that you're not entirely money orientated and convey that you've got a decent personality.

3. Use other people's CV's as guidelines, although each CV you send out should be tailored to the job you're sending it off for, it doesn't hurt to look over the CV of someone you know, who has worked in a few companies and knows what it important on a CV to get you noticed. Furthermore, I've found that looking on the jobs websites and sites such as the Guardian have plenty of tips and tricks to improving your CV. You should research what kind of look is the most effective and what will stand out to future employers...

Hope this helps.
As always, feedback is welcome.
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