Your Essential Guide to Writing a CV That Gets Noticed

A Curriculum Vitae, or CV, is more than just a document listing your history—it's your personal marketing tool. In a competitive job market, a strong CV is your ticket to securing an interview.

Here is a breakdown of how to craft a compelling CV that stands out from the crowd.

The Core Components of a Great CV

Every successful CV needs to include a few key sections, structured to be clear, professional, and easy to read.

1. Contact Details

Place this at the very top. Make it easy for a recruiter to call you!

• Must-haves: Your full name, professional email address, and a current phone number.

• Good to include: A link to your professional social media (like LinkedIn).

• What to omit: Your age, date of birth, marital status, or a photograph (unless specifically requested for a creative industry role).

2. Personal Statement/Professional Summary

This is your "elevator pitch"—a brief, concise paragraph (2-4 sentences) that summarizes who you are, what you offer, and what your career goals are.

• Tip: Tailor this to the specific job you're applying for. Highlight the skills and experience most relevant to the role.

3. Work History / Experience

List your roles in reverse chronological order (most recent first). This is where you don't just list duties, you show your value.

• For each role, include: Job title, company name, location, and dates of employment.

• Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a powerful action verb (e.g., managed, developed, spearheaded, achieved).

• Quantify Your Achievements: This is crucial. Instead of saying, "Responsible for customer service," say, "Increased customer satisfaction ratings by 15% within six months through a new feedback initiative." Use numbers, percentages, and metrics to prove your impact.

4. Education and Qualifications

Similar to your work history, list your qualifications in reverse chronological order.

• Include: The name of the institution, your qualification (degree, diploma, etc.), and the dates of attendance/graduation.

• If you're a recent graduate, you can include relevant coursework or academic achievements (like high GPA or academic honours).

5. Skills

Create a dedicated section for your skills. This helps a recruiter quickly see if you have the essentials.

• Hard Skills: Technical abilities (software proficiency, languages, certifications, specific tools).

• Soft Skills: Interpersonal and transferable skills (communication, leadership, problem-solving, teamwork—but try to back these up with examples in your work history).

• Tip: Look at the job description and make sure you include the keywords they are looking for!

Formatting: Make It Easy to Read

Recruiters spend an average of only seconds scanning a CV. Your formatting needs to be impeccable.

• Length: Aim for a maximum of two pages for most roles. Be concise.

• Clarity: Use a clear, professional font (like Arial, Calibri, or Lora) and keep the font size readable (10-12pt for body text).

• Headings: Use clear, bold, and consistent headings for each section.

• Layout: Use bullet points to break up text and make information scannable. Ensure there is adequate white space so the document doesn't look cluttered.

• Proofread: Read it, read it again, and then ask a friend to read it. One typo can be the difference between an interview and the reject pile.

• File Type: Unless otherwise requested, always save and send your CV as a PDF to preserve your formatting.

The Golden Rule: Always Tailor It

The biggest mistake job seekers make is sending a generic CV to every opening. You must tailor your CV for every application.

1. Analyze the Job Description: Highlight the essential and desirable skills, qualifications, and keywords in the job advert.

2. Edit for Relevance: Adjust your personal statement, skill list, and work history bullet points to specifically highlight experiences that match the job's requirements.

3. Beat the Bots (ATS): Many large companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter CVs. By using keywords directly from the job description, you increase the chance of your CV being seen by a human recruiter.

A well-written CV is your advocate in the early stages of a job search. By focusing on your achievements, keeping the formatting clean, and always tailoring your content, you dramatically increase your chances of moving one step closer to your next career goal!

Would you like me to help you draft the personal summary section for a specific type of job?