Write a CV that opens doors.
A great CV doesn't list everything you've ever done. It tells a hiring manager, quickly and clearly, why you're the right person for the job.
Whether you're a credit controller looking for your next step, an HR Business Partner moving into a senior role or a Finance Director exploring the market, the same principles apply: your CV should be clear, relevant and show the impact you've made.
Get the basics right.
- Keep it to three to four pages: Long enough to show your experience, short enough to hold attention. Senior candidates with extensive careers can stretch to five pages, but every line needs to earn its place.
- Use a clean, simple layout: Clear headings, a readable font and plenty of white space. Skip the graphics, tables and photos, which can confuse recruitment software and distract the reader.
- Put your contact details at the top: Name, phone number, email, location and a link to your LinkedIn profile. You don't need your full address, date of birth or marital status.
- Save it as a Word document or PDF: And give it a sensible file name, such as "Firstname Surname CV".
- Check, then check again: Spelling mistakes and inconsistent dates are the quickest way to lose a reader. Ask someone you trust to read it before you send it.
Top tips for a winning CV.
Start with a strong profile.
Open with a short personal profile of three or four lines. Say who you are, what you're great at and what you're looking for next. Make it specific to you, not a list of buzzwords.
Instead of: "A hardworking, motivated team player with excellent communication skills."
Try: "CIMA qualified Management Accountant with five years' experience in manufacturing, now looking to step into a Finance Business Partner role where I can work closely with operational teams."
Show your impact, not just your duties
Hiring managers already know what a payroll administrator or HR Advisor does. What they want to know is how well you did it and what changed because you were there. For each role, include a line or two on what the business does, then focus on your achievements, using numbers wherever you can:
- "Reduced aged debt over 90 days by 30% in 12 months"
- "Cut the month-end close from ten working days to five"
- "Led the TUPE transfer of 120 employees with no formal grievances"
- "Introduced a new expenses process that saved the team two days a month"
Use your own figures and only include results you can talk about confidently at interview.
Tailor it to the role.
Sending the same CV to every job rarely gets results. Read the job description carefully and make sure the skills and experience it asks for are easy to find on your CV. Move your most relevant achievements to the top of each role, and use the same language the advert uses where it honestly reflects your experience.
If you're including qualifications, ensure the ones that will be of most interest to the hiring manager are front and centre, with the dates you achieved them listed too.
Make your CV sector-specific.
Common mistakes to avoid.
Unexplained gaps: A career break, travel, caring responsibilities or study are all fine. Just add a short line so the reader doesn't have to guess.
Too much detail on early roles: Roles from more than ten years ago only need a line or two.
Generic statements: "Excellent attention to detail" means very little without evidence. Show it instead.
Out-of-date information: Make sure your current role, qualifications and contact details are up to date before every application.
References on the CV: You don't need to include them. "Available on request" is enough, or leave it out altogether.
Ready for your next move? Let us help.
Your consultant will always give you honest feedback on your CV before putting you forward for a role. We'll tell you what's working, what could be stronger and how to present your experience for the businesses we recruit for. Because we know the hiring managers and what they value, we can help you put your best foot forward.
Upload your CV and one of our specialist consultants will be in touch to talk about your experience, your goals and the roles that fit.