How to write a stronger CV (without starting from scratch)

A CV has one job: to make the reader want to speak to you. It doesn't need to tell your whole story — just enough of the right story, told clearly.

Lead with a short profile

Three or four lines at the top that say who you are professionally, what you're good at and what you're looking for next. Avoid generic phrases ("hard-working team player"). Instead, be specific: "Operations manager with eight years' experience in logistics, known for simplifying processes and developing small teams. Looking for a role with more strategic responsibility."

Show results, not just duties

Under each role, list what you achieved rather than everything you were responsible for. Compare:

• Responsible for managing customer accounts
• Managed 40 business accounts and increased renewals by 15% in a year

Numbers help, but they aren't essential. "Introduced a new booking system that reduced double-bookings" is just as powerful.

Keep it readable

• Two pages is right for most people.
• Use a clean layout, consistent dates and a standard font.
• Put your most recent role first, and give it the most detail.
• Save and send it as a PDF unless asked otherwise, so the formatting stays intact.

Tailor, don't rewrite

You don't need a new CV for every application. Keep a strong master version, then adjust the profile and the order of a few points so the most relevant experience is easy to see.

Explain gaps briefly and honestly

Career breaks are common and rarely a concern — for caring responsibilities, travel, study, health or redundancy. A single line is enough. Honesty is always better than leaving the reader guessing.

What to leave out

You don't need a photograph, date of birth, marital status or full home address — a town is enough. These aren't relevant to your ability to do the job, and leaving them out also helps keep the process fair.

Check it twice

Ask someone you trust to read it. Spelling mistakes, inconsistent dates and out-of-date contact details are the most common reasons a good CV makes a weaker impression than it should.

If you'd like a second opinion on your CV, a good recruiter will always be happy to give honest, constructive feedback.