You’ve been applying for jobs left, right and centre, but all you’re getting in return is radio silence. No interview invites. No feedback. Not even a polite rejection. Sound familiar?

It might be time to give your CV a second look.

As recruiters who specialise in placing multilingual talent across Europe, we see hundreds of CVs every week. Some hit the mark. Others—despite strong experience—fall short simply because of a few avoidable mistakes.

Whether you speak two languages or five, your CV should be a sharp, clear reflection of your skills, not something that leaves hiring managers confused or unimpressed. So, if you're serious about landing your next role, here are some tried and tested tips to help you stand out.

Start with the basics: spelling and grammar
It doesn’t matter how impressive your background is, typos and sloppy grammar are a fast track to the "no" pile. Attention to detail is essential, especially for roles that involve communication or multilingual work. Read your CV aloud. Run it through a spell checker. Better yet, get someone else to read it too. If you use AI tools like Grammarly or DeepL Write, they can catch things your eyes might miss.

Keep it clean (but not boring)
When it comes to layout, less is more. You don’t need fancy graphics or rainbow-coloured headings to make your CV stand out. In fact, those things often make it harder to read. Stick to a clear font, use consistent formatting, and make your headings easy to spot. Bullet points are your friend.

And please, don’t bury the good stuff. List your most recent experience first, and make sure your skills and achievements are easy to find at a glance. Employers skim CVs quickly so help them help you.

Add a short personal profile
This is your chance to give your CV some personality. A few lines at the top to introduce who you are, what you’re looking for, and what you bring to the table can go a long way. It sets the tone and helps employers quickly see how you fit into their world.

If you speak multiple languages, mention it here and make it clear what your fluency level is (and be honest!). Likewise, if you’re open to relocation, remote work, or sector shifts say so.

Don’t leave employers guessing
Got a gap in your CV? Don’t ignore it. Whether you were travelling, studying, freelancing or taking a break for personal reasons, just explain it. Career gaps aren’t a dealbreaker, ambiguity is. Employers want a clear, honest picture of your experience.

Be accurate and honest
Embellishing your language skills or tweaking your job titles might be tempting but it’s not worth it. Sooner or later, you’ll be asked to prove it. If your CV says fluent Spanish, you’ll probably be tested on it. If your LinkedIn says one thing and your CV another, it raises questions.

Stick to the truth, and back up your claims with examples and results where possible. It builds trust and that’s a powerful thing in the hiring process.

Don’t forget the obvious
It’s surprising how many people forget to include contact details. At the very least, your phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile should be easy to find. Without them, even the best CV won’t get you very far.

Final thought
A great CV won’t land you the job on its own but it will open doors. By keeping it clear, honest, and tailored to the role, you give yourself the best possible shot at standing out - especially in the multilingual market.

So give your CV the attention it deserves, make those tweaks, and try again. The difference might just surprise you.

📍 Looking for your next multilingual opportunity?
Explore our current vacancies or speak to one of our consultants today at Euro London Appointments