In today’s competitive job market, your CV is your personal brand pitch – it’s the first handshake before you’ve even entered the room.
Whether you’re looking for a fresh start, stepping into a new industry or climbing the career ladder, a great CV can open doors. Here are some practical tips to help you craft a CV that grabs attention – for the right reasons:
Tailor it every time
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all CV. Tailor your CV to each job you apply for by matching your skills and experience to the role. Use keywords from the job description so your application gets noticed by both recruiters and applicant tracking systems.
Start with a strong summary
Your personal summary (or profile) is your elevator pitch. In 3–4 lines, tell the recruiter who you are, what you bring to the table, and what kind of role you’re looking for. Keep it professional but let your personality shine through.
Make it easy to read
Use clean formatting, bullet points, and clear headings. Recruiters often scan CVs in under 30 seconds, so make sure the key points stand out. Stick to a modern, readable font and keep the layout clean.
Show results, not just duties
When listing work experience, don’t just say what you did – show how well you did it. Use action verbs and measurable wins: Instead of ‘managed social media accounts,’ try: ‘Grew Instagram by 60% in six months.’
Don’t skip the extras
Include qualifications, certifications, technical skills and languages that might give you an edge. If you’ve done volunteer work, freelanced, or completed online courses, add them – they show initiative and breadth. Reflect your most recent roles and wins.
