How to write a great CV

How to Write a Great CV – Where to start!

When applying for jobs your CV (Curriculum Vitae) is often your first impression. A well-structured and polished CV can make the difference between landing an interview and being overlooked. Here’s our guide to help get you started:

General Tips:

  • Keep your CV concise (1-2 pages for most industries).

  • Use a clear, professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman).

  • Keep formatting consistent with headings, bullet points, and spacing.

  • Use reverse chronological order for experience and education.

  • Proofread thoroughly to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes.

Tailor Your CV for Each Job

Employers look for candidates who fit the job description. Tailor your CV by:

  • Using keywords from the job listing.

  • Highlighting relevant skills and achievements.

  • Adapting your personal statement to match the role.

What to Avoid

  • Personal details (e.g., date of birth, marital status)

  • Excessive detail – Keep it relevant and avoid long paragraphs

  • Unprofessional email addresses – Use a professional email (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com)

  • Lies or exaggerations – Be honest about your experience and skills

Structure Your CV Effectively

A well-organized CV should ideally be no longer than 2 sides (you can always omit your first jobs and simply put “early career history available on request). Underneath your name there should be a short, engaging summary (3-4 lines) that highlights who you are, your key skills, and your career goals. You can tailor this section to the job you’re applying for, any flex you need, and any reasons for changing jobs/returning from a career break.

Example: Dynamic and detail-oriented Marketing Specialist with five years of experience in digital marketing and brand management. Proven experience developing innovative strategies that drive engagement and sales. Seeking a new challenge with opportunities for greater career progression.

The traditional CV would then move onto “Work History” where you can list your employment history (including career breaks if you like) in reverse chronological order:

  • Job Title

  • Company Name

  • Dates of Employment (Month/Year – Month/Year)

  • Bullet points summarizing key responsibilities and achievements

Followed by a summary of your “Education & Professional Qualifications”. Try and be selective here – if you have a degree then it’s not necessary to list every GCSE you’ve taken along with your Grade 2 piano and DofE bronze award. You can though include relevant Certifications & Training.

Many candidates then opt for a “Hobbies” or “Additional Interests” section. This is your opportunity to add some personality to your CV! So please don’t simply write “I like reading, baking and socialising with my friends”…  If these are your hobbies then it would be better to elaborate, perhaps along these lines: “I love reading and attend a monthly book group which has an annual trip to the Hay Festival. I also enjoy baking, in particular cakes – in fact I once won a hotly contested Victoria Sponge competition in my local village show!”

Depending on your experience and industry, you might also want include:

  • Volunteer Work

  • Achievements (eg running a marathon)

  • Learning a language

  • Interesting travel (eg rowing Atlantic)

If you’re returning from a career break or looking to change direction then you might want to try a skills based CV where instead of delving into your Work History you list relevant skills, and have tangible examples of each skill.

List key skills relevant to the role. These may include things like:

  • Admin Skills (e.g. Advanced Microsoft Office including Excel; proven experience managing complicated diary requirements while PA at XXXX Ltd and at looking after a busy CEO’s inbox while at XXXXX Ltd)

  • Leadership (eg. Proven experience while at XXXX Ltd managing a Sales & Marketing team of 12 which went on to measure a 175% increase in Sales in a six month period …)

  • Finance (eg. proficient in Xero and Quickbooks; while Finance Manager at XXXX Ltd I successfully introduced digital invoicing and also managed all VAT returns and R&D applications)

Need help improving your CV? Let us know in the comments or reach out for a CV review!