What have you done this pandemic to keep your CV up to date and full with exciting activity?

One of the first things recruiters and employers will be looking for on our CV are for any gaps. A 4-5 month gap, because of COVID-19 is a perfect excuse, but how do you ensure you stand out from the crowd. Below we’ve put together a few tips to help you in your journey to creating a great CV that stands out.

1. Do some volunteering

Many firms are struggling financially during this lockdown. How can you help out and gain some vital experience on your CV? Volunteering is the perfect opportunity for you to gain some key skills and knowledge that will look awesome on your CV. Once this lockdown is over and Employers start hiring again, you definitely don’t want them to see a gap in your CV. So, do something special today and bridge that gap with a volunteering role.

2. Start a business/project

I’ve seen so many students set up blogs this lockdown, sharing their experiences of life after university. Whether it’s setting up a podcast, creating a blog or setting up a shop, if you have something to share, now would be a good time to start working on something that will make your CV stand out with an employer.

3. Keep applying

This June we have seen companies start their recruitment process off once again, with recruitment firms seeing their highest number of advertised jobs since before the pandemic. Many businesses are now looking to build their business again. Graduate jobs might be difficult to come by this year, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be applying for non-graduate roles. Get out there and apply. Skills are definitely transferrable, and your CV won’t look empty. Check out The Grad Hub Jobsite.

4. Learn a language

Remember all those times you said to yourself that you would learn Italian, Spanish or Mandarin, but you just didn’t have a spare moment? Now’s your chance to learn something new and how amazing will a second language look on your CV. There are so many jobs that require people to have a second language, including translators, flight attendants, fashion buyers, journalists and more. Use this time to upskill yourself.

5. Take a course/attend virtual events

Did you know Bright Network recently launched Internship Experience UK. They teamed up with leading employers and educators for a series of three-day virtual experiences. Many organisations run similar virtual events, whether they are small networking events or 1 hours webinars, these are just some of the many ways you can keep your CV updated with new skills and knowledge over the course of the pandemic.

Further reading

• Tips to Finding a Job After University/School
• Starting a Business and Becoming an Entrepreneur