How to craft the perfect CV based on insights from 1,000 UK bosses on what leads to application success

Each year, around 900,000 students in the UK earn their undergraduate certificate[1], leading many to update their CVs in pursuit of a long-term career role. However, knowing where to start can often be a challenge.

New statistics from Dojo have revealed exactly what bosses are looking for in a CV, delving into the different elements that job hunters should prioritise as these are deemed to “make it more likely to be successful”.

This research comes as a part of their broader study on different generations’ attitudes to work in the UK, where Dojo surveyed 1,000 Gen Z workers and 1,000 business owners and employees in managerial roles aged 18+ to discover the workplace dynamics of both groups.

Additionally, the study features insights from a careers expert on the team.

The CV features that make it more likely to be successful according to bosses

The research found that relevant work experience (79%) is most likely to make a CV stand out.

Almost half (49%) of bosses said that having a creative CV can increase the chances of being put through to the next stages of an interview. This is followed by clean design (48%), bullet points and listing hobbies and interests (27%), both ranking higher than experience in volunteering (25%).

Surprisingly, 1 in 10 bosses shared that including a picture of yourself could increase your chances of making it through to the interview stages.

The features that Gen Z applicants have included on their CVs

80% of the Gen Z’s surveyed by Dojo had secured a job in their field of study within 6 months of graduating from university, with 22% of these having the job offer upon graduation.

Besides relevant work experience, the most common feature included on their CVs were their hobbies and interests (49%).

48% opted for a clean design, which was similarly favoured by 48% of bosses. Classic designs outweighed quirky designs among the applicants, with only 9% opting to use bright colours, and 6% using quirky fonts.

Alex Price, Early Careers Manager at Dojo, added: “Our recent research found that 17% of Gen Z took over six months after leaving education to secure a job in their field of study. With this in mind, we aimed to speak directly with employers to uncover what they prioritise in a job application, helping job seekers maximise their chances of success.

As the pool of applicants grows across many industries, standing out becomes increasingly important. Notably, 79% of employers identified relevant work experience as a key factor for selecting a CV. This highlights the value of students seeking work placements or internships during their studies to complement their qualifications.

A CV is unique to each individual, and it’s great to see that half of Gen Z had included their hobbies and interests, making it the second most commonly featured element. This allows applicants to showcase their personality and interests beyond the workplace, which can help employers gain a fuller understanding of the person behind the application.

It will be great to observe how this next generation of workers shapes the workforce in the years to come and we wish all applicants, across all industries the best of luck in their job searches.”