Getting a CV in front of a hiring manager is harder than it used to be. Many employers now use software, including AI tools, to sift applications before a person reads them, and graduates in particular face stiff competition for roles that ask for experience they haven’t had the chance to get. For neurodivergent candidates, a process built on unwritten rules adds another layer of difficulty.
Not long ago you could walk into a business with a printed CV and sometimes walk out with a job. Those days are mostly gone. The good news is that the rules of the digital process can be learned. This guide breaks it into two stages: building your CV, then tailoring it for each role you apply for.
Stage 1: Build your master CV
Start by creating one strong, well-organised CV that holds everything. You will adapt it for each application later.
Use a clean template
Choose a simple, professional template in Word or Canva. Avoid bright colours, patterns and graphics; they distract the reader and can confuse automated screening software. Clear headings and plenty of white space make your CV easier for everyone to read.
Follow a step-by-step guide
Our CV writing guide takes you through each section in order, which makes it easier to organise your information. The National Careers Service also has a useful page on what to include in each section of a CV.
Treat it as a template
Think of this version as your personal master copy, not the finished article. It is the foundation for every tailored version you send out.
Stage 2: Tailor your CV for each application
Tailoring takes time, but it is what gets you noticed. Five well-tailored applications will usually get you further than twenty generic ones.
Read the job description closely
Highlight the skills, qualifications and experience the employer asks for. Words that appear more than once are usually the ones that matter most, and they are often what screening software looks for. Make sure you understand what the role involves day to day, so you can match your CV to it.
Match your skills and experience
Cut or shorten anything that isn’t relevant to this role, so the important parts stand out. Put your most relevant roles and responsibilities first. If you don’t have much work experience, look at what you have done elsewhere. Playing a team sport shows communication and commitment; running a club or society shows organisation. A quick search for skills linked to your hobbies can help you find the right words, and our post on turning your passions into a career has more ideas.
Show relevant achievements
Use numbers or concrete examples to show what you achieved, and choose the ones that match the job’s priorities. If the role is about sales or customer satisfaction, lead with results in those areas. Without work experience, achievements from elsewhere count: growing a social media account, building a website or running a personal project all show initiative.
Rewrite your personal summary
Your summary at the top should be written for this specific job. Say what you are looking for, how it connects to what the organisation does, and why your experience, motivation and way of working make you a strong fit.
Proofread with the job in mind
Check that everything is consistent, from dates to job titles, and that it all supports the role you are applying for. Then check spelling and grammar. Spellcheck, reading aloud or asking someone you trust to look it over all help.
Bringing it together
A strong master CV, tailored carefully for each application, will get you much further than sending the same document everywhere. Think of each version as an argument for why you fit this particular role, rather than a record of everything you have done. Pair it with a tailored letter using our cover letter tips, and if you are a recent graduate, read our advice on standing out with no experience.
How Enna supports neurodivergent job seekers
If you’d like more help getting your CV right, our CV help page is the place to start. When it’s ready, put it to work on the Enna jobs board, which lists roles from employers committed to neuroinclusion, and set up job alerts so new roles come to you. Our free job application tracker will help you keep track of where each tailored version went.
