Job hunting can be a gruelling journey, and I know this firsthand.
A few months back, I sent out 166 applications, pouring my heart into each one, hoping for a breakthrough. But the reality was harsh; I barely got any responses, and my conversion rate was a dismal 2%, meaning only two of a 100 applications led to interviews.
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I realised my CV was holding me back, so I set out to fix it. Through trial and error, I developed five essential rules that turned things around, boosting my conversion rate to an impressive 20% -> 1 in every 5 applications landed me an interview!
These rules became the backbone of my CV-building presentation for the lecture at Vrije University Amsterdam, and I’m excited to share them with you, along with why they work.
Rule 1: Highlight Key Achievements
The first rule is to showcase your most valuable experience to grab attention right away.
When I was sending out those first 100 applications, my CV was cluttered with generic job duties ->
“Worked as a backend developer for 1 year”
That didn’t tell recruiters anything unique about me. I learned to focus on specific, impactful achievements instead.
For example, I replaced vague descriptions with statements like:
“Achieved a 96% reduction in user wait time by solving existing concurrency problems”
This shift made my CV a story of results, not just responsibilities. Highlighting achievements upfront signals to employers that you’re a candidate who delivers value!
Rule 2: Show Impact with Numbers
Numbers make your accomplishments tangible, which is why the second rule is to use numerical data to demonstrate results.
In my early job-hunting days, I’d write things like:
“Developed and maintained PostgreSQL database for marketplace search data”
But that didn’t pack a punch.
Once I started adding specifics:
“Developed and maintained a 600M+ entry PostgreSQL database for marketplace search data”
My CV became far more compelling.
Numbers give recruiters a clear picture of your impact. Whether it’s percentages, revenue, or time saved, let the numbers do the talking, they’ll make your achievements easier to understand.
Rule 3: Keep It Simple
The third rule is to use a clean, minimal design with no fancy styling.
After helping over 25 students and young professionals with CV building, I can say that a very visually heavy and confusing styling template is a common mistake.
I suggest that everyone switch to a simple template that passes ATS scans. I will include a link to my
It also gives you additional points when HR is reading it, because it is visually light and easy to “digest”.
Rule 4: Stick to One Page
I was not affected by this misconception, but many people are…
I learned that recruiters spend just 10–15 seconds scanning a CV, so every inch matters. By cutting the fluff and focusing on what’s most relevant, like recent roles and key achievements, you can fit everything onto one page.
This forced you to prioritise quality over quantity, ensuring recruiters could quickly see my value without wading through extra pages.
Rule 5: Use Keywords
The final rule is to use a relevant set of keywords to pass ATS scans effortlessly.
Back when I made my first applications, I didn’t even know what ATS was! Until I realised my CV wasn’t reaching human eyes because it lacked the right terms.
I started analysing job postings (usually 4–5 at a time) and used AI tools to identify the most common keywords, like “Django” or “SQL”.
This simple tweak made my resume visible to ATS systems, dramatically increasing my chances of getting past the first reviewer.
P.S. You can just stack up the keywords at the end of your CV, humans will never read them anyway!
These five rules turned my job hunt around, and they can do the same for you.
After applying them, I went from 100 applications with almost no responses to a 20% conversion rate that opened doors to exciting opportunities.
If you’re struggling to get interviews, it’s time to rethink your CV.
Want to learn more or get personalised help?
I’d love to help you take your CV to the next level!
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