Whether you’re actively looking for a new job or simply keeping your CV up to date, having a well-written CV can make a real difference during the application process. Your CV is often the first impression an employer or recruiter gets of you, so it needs to clearly show your experience, skills and suitability for the role.

As recruiters, we review CVs every day and have a strong understanding of what makes an application easy to assess, as well as some of the common mistakes candidates make.

Here are our top CV tips to help your application stand out.

The Details Matter

While you don’t want to create a five-page CV filled with unnecessary information, you do need to include enough detail for an employer to understand your experience.

A few essentials include:

Employment dates:
Clearly show when you worked for each employer and how long you were there. This gives recruiters and potential employers a clear overview of your employment history and experience.

Up-to-date contact details:
Make sure your phone number, email address and other relevant contact details are correct. It sounds simple, but outdated information can make it difficult for recruiters to contact you about an opportunity.

Include more than your job title:
A job title alone doesn’t always explain what you actually did. Responsibilities can vary significantly between businesses, even when the job title is the same. Include a short overview of your key responsibilities, skills and relevant achievements for each role.

Write Your CV in Your Own Words

AI tools can be helpful for checking spelling and improving structure, but your CV should still sound like you.

Avoid relying on AI to completely write your CV, particularly if it introduces skills, responsibilities or phrases that you wouldn’t naturally use or couldn’t confidently discuss in an interview.

Your CV should be an accurate reflection of your experience. If an employer asks you about something you’ve included, you should be comfortable expanding on it and providing real examples.

Check Your Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

Spelling, punctuation and grammar matter.

Mistakes can make an otherwise strong CV look rushed or unprofessional, so always proofread it before submitting an application. Reading your CV out loud can also help you spot awkward sentences or missing words that are easy to overlook on screen.

Make Your CV Relevant to the Role

You don’t need to include every responsibility you’ve ever had.

Instead, focus on the experience and skills that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Read the job description carefully and consider which parts of your previous experience demonstrate that you could be a good fit.

This doesn’t mean copying the job description. It means making it easy for the employer to see the connection between your experience and their vacancy.

Always Use Accurate Information

Never lie or deliberately exaggerate on your CV.

Whether it’s your qualifications, employment dates, previous responsibilities or level of experience, the information you provide should be accurate. Employers may ask further questions during an interview or carry out checks later in the recruitment process.

You can absolutely present your experience in the best possible way, but make sure you can back up everything you include.

Keep the Layout Clear and Simple

Your CV doesn’t need an elaborate design to stand out.

A clear structure with consistent headings, readable fonts and logical sections can make it much easier for recruiters to quickly understand your experience. Avoid squeezing too much information onto the page or using unnecessary graphics that distract from the content.

Keep the focus on what matters most: your skills, experience and suitability for the role.

Before You Send Your CV

Give it one final check before submitting your application:

• Are your contact details correct?
• Are your employment dates clear?
• Have you explained your main responsibilities?
• Is the information accurate?
• Is your spelling and grammar correct?
• Have you tailored the CV to the role?
• Is the layout clear and easy to read?

Taking a few extra minutes to review your CV could help you make a stronger first impression and give employers a clearer understanding of what you can bring to their team.

Looking for your next opportunity? Get in touch with our team to discuss your experience, the type of role you’re looking for and the opportunities currently available.