Top 10 Tips - CV Writing

Our 10 steps to writing a successful CV

There are personal preferences when it comes to CV format, detail and layout, but remember that this is your first opportunity to impress a potential employer.

Make it easy to read and take the time to check it carefully for spelling and grammatical errors. These may sound like basic points, but you would be surprised by how often they are overlooked.

1. Keep it relevant

Try to keep your CV to two pages where possible, although this will not always be achievable.

Do not overload it with irrelevant information. Prospective employers may spend only a few seconds reviewing a CV before deciding whether to continue reading, so keep it concise and use a format that makes the key information easy to find.

2. Tell the truth

Begin with your personal and contact details. Including your age and gender is entirely optional and is not expected.

Your CV should be an accurate document based on facts, not fabrications. Make the most of your experience, but do not allow this to become exaggeration or dishonesty.

Blatant inaccuracies can damage your credibility and could ultimately cost you the job.

3. Start with a strong profile

After your personal details, include a short profile or personal statement.

This gives you an opportunity to explain who you are, what experience you have and why you may be suited to the role. Do not assume that the connection will be obvious to the reader.

Keep it focused and concise. A couple of sentences may be enough, depending on your level of experience.

4. Keep it current

List your most recent role first, then work backwards in reverse chronological order. Include the start and end dates for each position.

Use bullet points to outline your responsibilities and key achievements. Where possible, include figures, results or relevant commercial information to demonstrate the impact of your work.

Explain not only what you delivered, but how you achieved it.

5. Explain employment gaps

Unexplained gaps can raise questions, even when there is a straightforward reason for them.

Employers understand that people move roles and that there may occasionally be gaps between jobs. However, it is better to explain these clearly rather than leave the reader to make assumptions.

6. Pay attention to detail

Once you think your CV is finished, read it again carefully and ask someone else to review it too.

Spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and inconsistent formatting can affect whether you secure an interview.

Check it, then check it again.

7. Make it look professional

Consider how the document looks as a whole.

It should feel professional, with clear sections, consistent spacing and enough white space to make it easy to read. Use bullet points rather than large blocks of text and make sure the font, alignment and layout are consistent.

A well-presented CV is easier to navigate and more likely to hold the reader’s attention.

8. Use a clear structure

The precise layout is a personal decision, but certain information should always be included.

Add your education and qualifications, keeping this section concise. These details may become less prominent as you gain more professional experience.

Include any relevant industry qualifications, language skills or specialist training.

You may also wish to add a short personal interests section. This can offer some insight into you as a person, but keep it honest. You may be asked about it during an interview.

References can usually be provided upon request, so you do not need to include full contact details on your CV unless specifically asked.

9. Do not become fixated on two pages

There is no absolute two-page rule.

If you are at the beginning of your career or have held only a small number of roles, two pages should usually be enough.

As you gain more experience, it may be difficult to include all relevant information within two pages. That is fine, but your CV should still remain focused and would rarely need to exceed four pages.

10. Check your social media profiles

Potential employers may review LinkedIn and other public social media profiles when considering an application.

Make sure the information shown on your CV is consistent with your online professional profiles. Review anything publicly visible and consider whether it presents you appropriately to a potential employer.

Need some help with your CV?

Better Placed would be happy to review your CV and provide constructive feedback on its presentation and any potential improvements.

Send a copy to info@betterplaced.com.