What makes a candidate stand out in a pile of CVs?

The ones who get noticed are the ones who take that extra step.

Of nearly 100 CVs in 24 hours for a recent role, only one person set up a call to talk through their experience and motivation.

It could be that person wasn't right for the role, as it happens, he might well be.

That’s it. No magic. No secret handshake. Just a bit of initiative.

Why does this matter?

When someone reaches out, asks questions, and wants to understand the role, it tells us they’re serious.

It gives us a chance to see their personality, clarify any gaps, and crucially, advocate for them with the client.

Here’s what you can do, step by step:

If you see a job you like, don’t just fire off your CV.

Reach out to the recruiter or hiring manager. Ask for a quick chat, even if it’s just 10 minutes.

Use that call to fill in the blanks, maybe your CV doesn’t mention every tool or skill on the JD, add them in.

Ask what’s really important to the hiring manager. Sometimes, it’s not even in the job spec.

After the call, update your CV to reflect what you’ve discussed, add those missing keywords and specifics.

One candidate I worked with recently, their CV was missing a couple of key skills, even though they had both.

After a quick call, they tweaked the CV, added those points, and suddenly they were at the top of the shortlist.

This is the kind of advice I wish more people heard.

It’s not about being perfect on paper.

It’s about showing up, being proactive, and making it easy for someone to say “yes” to you.