Your CV Has About 10 Seconds
Hiring managers and recruiters typically spend just seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to read it properly. That's not a reason to panic — it's a reason to be strategic. A well-structured CV that leads with your strongest material and communicates clearly will always outperform a dense, unfocused one.
This guide covers the core principles of effective CV writing, regardless of your industry or experience level.
The Essential Sections of a Modern CV
A strong CV typically includes the following sections, in this order:
- Contact Information — Full name, phone number, professional email, LinkedIn URL (optional).
- Professional Summary — 2–4 sentences summarising who you are, your key skills, and what you're looking for.
- Work Experience — Listed in reverse chronological order with bullet points describing achievements, not just duties.
- Education — Degrees, qualifications, and any relevant certifications.
- Skills — A concise list of technical and transferable skills relevant to the role.
The Most Common CV Mistake: Listing Duties Instead of Achievements
The single biggest difference between a forgettable CV and an impressive one is how work experience is framed. Compare these two bullet points:
- Weak: "Responsible for managing social media accounts."
- Strong: "Managed company social media channels, growing total follower count by 40% over 12 months through targeted content strategy."
The second version shows what you did, how you did it, and what resulted. Use this formula wherever you can: Action Verb + Task + Outcome.
Tailoring Your CV for Each Application
Sending the same CV to every employer is a common shortcut that usually costs you. Tailoring doesn't mean rewriting your entire CV — it means:
- Mirroring language from the job description in your skills and summary sections.
- Reordering bullet points to lead with the most relevant experience for that role.
- Adjusting your professional summary to reflect the specific job title and company.
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan CVs for keywords before a human ever sees them. Tailoring naturally incorporates these keywords.
Formatting: Clean Beats Creative
Unless you're applying for a role in design or creative arts, keep formatting simple and scannable:
- Use a single, professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Georgia work well).
- Keep font size between 10–12pt for body text.
- Use consistent spacing and clear section headers.
- Stick to one or two pages — two pages is acceptable for candidates with several years of experience.
- Save and send as a PDF to preserve formatting across devices.
What to Leave Off Your CV
| Include | Leave Out |
|---|---|
| Relevant work experience | A photo (in most English-speaking countries) |
| Measurable achievements | Your full home address |
| Relevant skills and tools | Irrelevant hobbies |
| Education and qualifications | "References available on request" |
The Professional Summary: Your 30-Second Pitch
Many candidates either skip the professional summary or write something generic like "hardworking team player seeking new opportunities." Instead, use this section to make a clear, confident statement:
"Marketing professional with five years of experience in B2B content strategy and SEO. Proven track record of increasing organic traffic and generating qualified leads for SaaS companies. Currently seeking a senior content role within a growth-focused team."
Specific, confident, and immediately useful to a hiring manager.
Final Check Before You Apply
Before submitting, run through this quick checklist:
- Proofread carefully — spelling errors are a common and avoidable disqualifier.
- Check that all links (LinkedIn, portfolio) are working.
- Confirm your contact email is professional.
- Read it aloud — clunky sentences often reveal themselves this way.
A well-crafted CV doesn't guarantee a job, but it does guarantee you'll be taken seriously. That's the goal of every word on the page.