Your CV Isn't Enough — and That's Normal

A well-written, ATS-optimised CV is essential. It's the entry ticket. But in a market where dozens of candidates send similar CVs for the same role, the CV alone no longer sets you apart.

What makes the difference is what you bring around the CV: the extras that show your motivation, personality, understanding of the role and professionalism.

This article covers the most effective complements, sector by sector, and explains how to use them without overwhelming your application.

1. The Application Email: Your Real First Impression

Many candidates underestimate the sending email. They write "Please find attached my CV" and move on. That's a missed opportunity.

The application email is the first text the recruiter actually reads. It's not a cover letter — it's a short message (5 to 8 lines) that should:

Name the target role clearly in the subject line and opening sentence.
Hook in one sentence — why you, why this role, why this company. Be specific, not generic.
Mention a concrete fact — a quantified result, a key skill they're asking for that you master, knowledge of their company.
Invite them to open the CV — "My CV details my 4 years' experience in [field]. I'd welcome the chance to discuss this in an interview."

What to Avoid

Cookie-cutter phrases ("Passionate about your company…").
Emails that are too long (the recruiter won't read 3 paragraphs).
Spelling mistakes — in a 5-line email, one error is unforgivable.

2. The Cover Letter: Useful, But Not How You Think

Cover letters have a bad reputation. Many see them as an obligatory, empty exercise. They're not wrong — when the letter is generic. A letter that rephrases the CV in longer sentences adds nothing.

When It Makes a Difference

A good cover letter answers a question the CV can't address: why this role, at this company, at this point in your career?

It's particularly useful in these situations:

Career change — the CV shows experience in another field. The letter explains the coherence of your move.
Speculative application — with no job posting, the CV alone doesn't say what you're looking for. The letter frames your request.
Company with a strong culture — startups, non-profits, purpose-driven businesses. The recruiter wants to know if you share the values.
Highly competitive role — when 200 CVs look alike, the letter is the only space to show personality.

How to Structure It Effectively

Paragraph 1 — Why this company specifically (not "market leader", but a precise fact: a recent project, a value, a product).
Paragraph 2 — What you bring concretely. One or two quantified results that prove your impact in a similar context.
Paragraph 3 — The projection. What you want to accomplish in this role and how your background prepares you.
Length — one page maximum, ideally 250–300 words.

When Not to Send One

If the posting doesn't ask for it and you're applying in a sector where it's not expected (tech, startups, freelance), a good application email is enough. Sending a generic letter is worse than sending none at all.

3. Your LinkedIn Profile: Your Living CV

LinkedIn isn't a duplicate of your CV — it's a dynamic complement that offers what the CV can't:

What LinkedIn Adds Beyond the CV

Recommendations — colleagues, managers or clients confirming your skills. This is social proof, and recruiters check it.
Content you publish or share — articles, comments, industry insights. It shows you're active in your field.
The expanded summary — you have 2,000 characters to tell your story in a personal voice, which the CV doesn't allow.
Endorsed skills — the Skills section with endorsements is an additional signal for recruiters.

Essential Optimisations

Professional photo — profiles with photos get 21 times more views. No selfies, no holiday snaps. A framed portrait, neutral background, smiling.
Custom headline �� don't let LinkedIn default to your current job title. Write a headline that includes your core skill and the type of role you're targeting.
Custom URL — linkedin.com/in/first-last is more professional than linkedin.com/in/xk82jf39. You can edit this in your settings.
Consistency with the CV — dates, job titles and company names must match. A recruiter who spots discrepancies between your CV and LinkedIn loses trust.

4. Portfolio or Work Samples

In some professions, showing beats describing. A portfolio is the most powerful CV complement when used well.

Roles Where a Portfolio Is Almost Essential

Design (graphic, UX/UI, product) — Behance, Dribbble, public Figma, personal site.
Software development — GitHub, open-source contributions, deployed personal projects.
Writing / Journalism — published articles, personal blog, writing samples.
Marketing — case studies, campaigns delivered, quantified results.
Photography / Video — online book, YouTube channel, Vimeo.

Roles Where It's Not Expected But Can Impress

Project management — a document summarising a complex project you led (anonymised if needed): context, method, results.
Sales — a performance dashboard (without confidential data): targets vs results, growth, key deals.
HR — a recruitment process you designed or improved, with before/after metrics.

How to Integrate It Into Your Application

Add a portfolio link to your CV in the contact section (CV Creator templates have a dedicated field for links).
Mention it in your application email: "My portfolio illustrates the projects described in my CV: [link]".
On LinkedIn, use the "Featured" section to pin your best work.

5. Professional References

References no longer go on the CV ("References available upon request" is a useless line that wastes space). But preparing them ahead of time is a strategic advantage.

How to Prepare References Well

Choose 2 to 3 people who can speak concretely about your work — a former manager, a close colleague, a client.
Warn them before sharing their contact details. Explain the target role so they can tailor their comments.
Offer them at the right time — not in the CV, not in the first email. When the recruiter asks (usually after the first interview), you have them ready immediately.

The Modern Alternative: LinkedIn Recommendations

Ask former managers or colleagues to write a recommendation on LinkedIn. It's publicly visible, the recruiter doesn't need to request it, and it's a strong credibility signal.

6. Recent Certifications and Training

If you've recently completed a course or earned a certification, don't just list it on your CV. Use it actively:

In your application email — "I recently earned the [X] certification, which directly matches the skills you're looking for."
On LinkedIn — publish a post about your certification. It shows dynamism and commitment to upskilling.
In interviews — prepare an anecdote about what this training concretely brought you.

The Golden Rule: Quality, Not Quantity

The risk with CV extras is overdoing it. An application email + a CV + a cover letter + a portfolio + 5 attachments = an overwhelmed recruiter who reads nothing.

Adapt your extras to the context:

| Situation | What to Send | |---|---| | Application via platform (Indeed, LinkedIn) | Optimised CV + polished LinkedIn profile | | Application by email | Polished email + CV + portfolio link if relevant | | Speculative application | Personalised email + CV + short cover letter | | Creative role | CV + portfolio (essential) | | Senior / Director role | CV + targeted letter + references prepared | | Career change | Adapted CV + letter explaining the transition |

Start With the Foundation: a Flawless CV

All these extras only have value if the CV itself is solid. A brilliant portfolio won't salvage a poorly structured CV. A punchy cover letter won't compensate for a CV that's unreadable by ATS.

Start with the base: a professional CV, ATS-optimised, with the right keywords. With CV Creator, build your CV in minutes, choose from 20+ professional templates, adjust for each application. €2 one-time, unlimited CVs for 2 hours, no registration.

To go further:

Explore further:

Ready to create your professional CV?

Use CV Creator to build a standout CV in minutes.

Create my CV →

Beyond the CV: What You Can Add to Your Application to Stand Out