Reference guide
For the full guide, see CVs and Cover Letters
Your CV has about 7 seconds to make an impression. That's not a figure of speech. Recruiters process hundreds of applications per role, and most get a quick scan before the decision is made.
The good news: a few straightforward changes can put you in the "read properly" pile.
Start with a strong personal statement
Two to three sentences at the top. Who you are, what you do, what you're looking for. No buzzwords, no "passionate team player". Just be specific.
Weak: "Hardworking professional seeking a challenging role."
Better: "Customer service manager with 4 years' experience in retail. Looking for a team lead role in the Birmingham area."
Put your experience in reverse order
Most recent job first. For each role, include the company name, your job title, dates, and 3–5 bullet points describing what you actually did, not just your job description.
Use numbers where you can: "Managed a team of 8" is better than "Managed a team." "Increased sales by 15% over 6 months" is better than "Improved sales performance."
Keep it to two pages
One page if you're early in your career, two if you have more than a few years' experience. Anything longer and you're making the recruiter work too hard.
Tailor it for each application
Read the job description. If they mention specific skills or requirements, make sure your CV reflects those, in the same language they use. If they say "stakeholder management," don't say "working with people."
Check the basics
Spelling errors, wrong phone numbers, outdated email addresses. These kill applications. Read it out loud, get someone else to check it, and make sure your contact details actually work.
Format for readability
Use a clean font (Calibri, Arial, or similar), consistent headings, and plenty of white space. Avoid tables, columns, and graphics. Most applicant tracking systems can't read them properly.
Written by
Elena Marshall
Careers Editor, Joboru
Elena has written about careers, hiring, and the job market for over a decade. She edits Joboru's career advice and interviews industry specialists for our guides.