Recruiters look for more than just keywords. They want authenticity, growth, and clarity in your journey. This guide is about bringing your actual values and voice into your CV. Yes, you need structure and keywords. But you also need to show who you are and what keeps you moving.
Akshaya Parthasarathi, an HR strategist, puts it plainly: “Many intros are just accomplishments dressed as stories, but rarely conveying your purpose—your why. Memorable candidates share what drives them, what shaped them, what keeps them going on a bad day.” If your summary blends into the crowd, it’s missing the chance to make someone stop and actually care.
Former Netflix CMO, Bozoma Saint John, doesn’t sugarcoat it either: “No one is going to fight for your story more than you. You have to be the first one to believe it and to tell it in a way that makes people remember you.”
1. Start with Why
Convey the deeper meaning behind your career, not just a timeline.
- Lead with Intention: Don’t just list jobs. Explain why you took them, what you hoped to change, and what you actually did. Simon Sinek, author and speaker, says, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” Recruiters remember candidates with purpose, not just bullet points.
- Connect the Dots: Show how each role fits into your bigger picture. If your path looks more like a subway map than a straight line, own it. More recruiters are interested in the reasoning behind your pivots than in a perfectly linear resume.
- Speak to Impact: Use numbers, but tie them to your purpose. Kobi Ampoma, a talent acquisition lead, says your profile should include “two or three sentences about who you actually are, what you are interested in, what you think you can bring to the table, and why you find this opportunity interesting.” He’s blunt: “Recruiters scan CVs in 15 seconds—your profile needs to extend that to three or four minutes and then a call or interview.”
2. Use Emotional Clarity
Make your achievements and journey clear and compelling.
- Precise Language: Be vivid and concise. Ampoma again: “Employability is not just about qualifications; it’s about possessing a well-rounded skill set that aligns with a company’s ethos.” If you only have 15 seconds, make every word count.
- Show Vulnerability: Mention a challenge you faced. Say how you handled it. This isn’t about trauma-dumping; it’s about showing you’re human and resilient.
- Name the Gap: Forbes recently noted that “naming the gap”—owning employment breaks or detours—signals self-respect, not weakness. If you took time off for caregiving, healing, or just figuring things out, say so. Reframe it as growth, not an apology.
3. Own Your Story
Let your background work for you.
- Personality Counts: Let your voice come through in your summary. Akshaya Parthasarathi introduces herself by the meaning of her name—“never-ending, beyond limits”—and tries to live up to it. Your CV should sound like you, not like it was assembled by committee.
- Personal Milestones: List achievements outside work that show character or skill. If you’ve run a side hustle, managed a family business, or juggled cultures, say so. For bicultural professionals, your worldview isn’t a liability—it’s a toolkit. Employers are finally catching on.
- Rituals Matter: Maybe you start your day by watering a plant you keep forgetting about, or you have a playlist for writing cover letters. These small rituals ground you—and sometimes, they’re the only thing that does.
Emma Grede, Co-Founder & CEO of Good American, says, “There’s power in owning every part of your journey, even the unconventional ones. That’s what makes you, you—and that’s what companies are looking for.”
4. Growth is Key
Show you’re ready for future roles and can contribute to change.
- Demonstrate Learning: Show clear progression in your roles to highlight your adaptability and personal development. This goes beyond merely listing responsibilities to illustrate how you've grown within each position. Kobi Ampoma emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset, which involves "figuring out how to do things, even if you don't initially know how to do it. Companies seek individuals who can say, 'Let's do it'".
- Reflective Framing: Describe your experiences in a way that showcases both professional and personal growth. This includes acknowledging challenges and demonstrating how overcoming them led to new skills or perspectives. This reflective approach helps recruiters understand your journey and your capacity for self-improvement.
- Forward Momentum: Clearly link past experiences to your future aspirations, highlighting your readiness for the next steps in your career. This helps recruiters visualize you in the role you're applying for, understanding not just where you've been, but where you're headed and how this role fits into your trajectory. Hiring managers are primarily focused on finding someone who can help address challenges, so emphasizing your problem-solving skills is a must.
Ultimately, employers are looking for candidates who bring initiative and energy—people who don’t wait for perfect instructions, but instead move projects forward and create impact, even in uncertain situations. Show that you’re not just checking boxes, but ready to shape outcomes and contribute meaningfully from day one.
Photo by Allec Gomes
