A well-crafted CV (or resume) is a crucial part of your postgraduate application. Alongside your degree transcripts and statement of purpose, it provides admissions teams with a clear picture of your academic background, professional experience, and suitability for the course.
In competitive postgraduate courses, a compelling CV can set you apart from other candidates. Follow these strategies to make your CV stand out and leave a strong impression on admissions panels.
Use clear, concise, and professional language
Recruiters typically spend just a few seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to keep reading. In highly competitive fields, this initial review can be as short as 7 to 10 seconds. Admissions officers, who often sift through hundreds of applications, are likely to scan CVs even faster, which makes clarity and impact in the opening moments essential. This means your CV needs to be:
- Scannable – break it into digestible, easy-to-read sections with bullet points and subheadings.
- Clear – use simple, straightforward language. Avoid jargon and unnecessary complexity.
- Concise – get to the point quickly and keep the information relevant to your application.
Tailor your CV to the course
Each postgraduate course has unique requirements and focus areas. To maximise your chances of admission, customise your CV for each application by:
- Emphasising relevant academic achievements, coursework, and research.
- Highlighting work experience that aligns with the course.
- Showcasing skills that match the course’s focus areas.
- Using keywords from the course description to demonstrate alignment with the course.
Showcase your relevant education and experience
Your educational background is one of the most critical aspects of your postgraduate application. Make sure you:
- Clearly list your degrees, institutions, and graduation dates.
- Mention relevant coursework, research projects, and dissertations.
- Highlight any relevant internships or work experience, particularly if they relate to the course you’re applying for.
If you have a strong academic background but limited work experience, emphasise research projects, academic achievements, and independent studies.
Include transferable and technical skills
Beyond subject-specific knowledge, postgraduate courses require skills such as:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Communication and teamwork.
- Time management and organisation.
- Leadership and personal responsibility.
Additionally, mention any technical skills such as programming, statistical analysis, or software proficiency relevant to your field of study.
Quantify your achievements with examples
Simply listing achievements isn’t enough. Use specific examples to demonstrate impact, such as:
- Instead of: "Conducted research on renewable energy."
- Use: "Led a six-month research project on solar energy efficiency, resulting in a published paper and a presentation at an international conference."
Providing quantifiable results makes your achievements more compelling and shows the value of your work.
Include relevant extracurricular and volunteering experience
Admissions panels appreciate candidates who demonstrate leadership, initiative, and commitment outside of academia. Include:
- Participation in student societies, clubs, or university organisations.
- Volunteering or community service experience.
- Leadership roles, mentoring, or public speaking experience.
These activities highlight your well-rounded skills and commitment to personal growth.
Keep the layout clean and professional
Presentation matters. A well-structured CV should:
- Use professional fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman).
- Maintain consistent formatting with clear headings and bullet points.
- Avoid excessive graphics, colours, or design elements that could distract from the content.
- Stick to a 1–2 page limit to keep information concise and relevant.
Proofread and get feedback
Even a minor typo can leave a negative impression. Before submitting your CV:
- Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.
- Ask mentors, professors, or colleagues to review it and provide feedback.
- Tailor it based on their suggestions to improve clarity and effectiveness.
Final thoughts
A strong CV can significantly impact your chances of securing a spot in your desired postgraduate course. By making it clear, relevant, and well-structured, you’ll improve your chances of standing out in a competitive admissions process.
Take the time to refine your CV, seek feedback, and tailor it to each application. With a compelling CV, you’ll be one step closer to achieving your postgraduate study goals.
If you're considering studying one of the University of Southampton's online courses, you can learn more about how to apply and take the next step when you're ready:
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