In a world of CV’s it takes a lot to make yours stand out, to give yours the XFactor. And no, we’re not talking about creating a sob story to get through to the next round of the competition or parading around in a pair of gold hot pants to brighten up Simon Cowell’s day. We are talking about filling your CV to the brim with these brilliant entities to ensure you are the star of the job competition.

Funk it up: Now, having received a shed load of CV’s for various job roles to my inbox, it takes a lot to make something stand out to me. And usually, its the physical features of a CV that catch my attention. Whether thats the design, colour or graphics, allow your CV to reflect your personality, not just a white piece of paper!

Go even further, if you are applying for a role at a magazine/newspaper, why not transform your CV to mirror that brand? Same goes for any other company, inject a little of their business into your CV and it will be sure to stop them in their tracks.

Work placements: Make these prominent on your CV. Future employers are looking for relevant experience that has given you plenty of skills. You are demonstrating your ability to bring to the table a whole lot more than just a degree.

Don’t just talk about your responsibilities, talk about your key achievements taken from work experience; did your initiatives increase sales? If so, how much by? Have you increased web traffic or brought more business into equation? Your real life achievements will blow recruiters away.

Gap year: Not like the YouTube sensation, but an opportunity to develop your soft skills that employers are after when they are thinking of the culture fit in their office. Life experiences are important and always bring lots of great connections - which are very valuable. A gap year can also provide the opportunity to broaden your cultural awareness, strengthen your people skills and

Extra curricular activities/Voluntary work: Show that you make the most of your time! Even if its obscure or unusual, doing that little bit extra on the side of work or studying is really good for demonstrating leadership and communication skills. If you volunteer, let future employers know! Everyone loves a do gooder. It is a highly desirable trait to demonstrate on your CV and a great stepping stone for building skills and useful experiences; it is always better to come across as proactive.

Continuous learning: What are you doing to show you never stop learning? Demonstrate your ability to always have your finger on the pulse of the industry you operate in or wish to be in. Whether you are attending webinars, online courses or just keeping up to date with the latest trends or news - be on top of your game.

Academic achievements: Don’t be shy, proudly display what you have managed to achieve. The highlights of your academic career are the foundation of knowledge that your future employer will be looking for.

Once your CV is done and dusted, it’s time to get on the prowl for your perfect job. If its healthcare roles you’re after, look no further than ICON Recruitment - they’ve got your covered.