How to Write a CV

A Step-by-Step Guide for Success

A well-crafted CV is essential for securing job interviews and advancing your career. Whether you are writing a CV from scratch or refining an existing one, knowing what to include—and what to leave out—can make a significant difference.
This quick and easy guide will walk you through the process of creating a professional CV that highlights your relevant experience, key skills, and achievements in a clear and compelling way.

What to Include and What to Leave Out

Your CV should be clear, concise, and easy to read. Does your CV pass the thirty-seconds test? “Hiring managers decide whether or not to read your full resumé within the first thirty seconds, a more professional recruiter makes the ‘fit/no fit’ decision in less than six seconds. Recruiters often spend just a few seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to continue reading, so it is crucial to structure it correctly. Below is a breakdown of what to include, presented in reverse-chronological order.

1. Personal Details (Contact Information)
   
   At the top of your CV, include:
   
   ● Your full name
   ● One or two reliable testimonials.
   ● Your professional title (for example, Marketing Manager or Software Developer)
   ● A professional email address (avoid informal ones such as coolguy123@email.com)
   ● Your phone number
   ● Your postal address (optional, but at least include your city and county)
   ● A LinkedIn profile or personal website (if relevant)
   What to leave out – Your date of birth, marital status, and a personal photograph (unless applying for a role in a country where it is required).
   
2. Objective

A strong personal objective at the top of your CV provides a short but powerful introduction. This can be as simple as stating your desired job title, or it can show where you have been and where you hope to go in your career.

An objective that focuses on your skills and abilities can enhance your CV as it shows a hiring manager that you know what you want to do and you have the skills for the role in question.
Example
A results-driven sales professional with over five years of experience in B2B sales. Proven ability to exceed targets, build strong client relationships, and implement strategic sales techniques. Looking to apply my expertise in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
What to avoid – Generic phrases such as team player or hardworking without real evidence.
Instead, demonstrate your measurable achievements

3. Key Skills and Competencies
   
   This section should highlight both soft skills and technical skills relevant to the role you are applying for. As a general rule, this would be listed in an easy-to-read fashion. You would want to title each column with something that is relevant to the different aspects of the job that you are applying for.
   Examples of key skills:
   
   ● Technical skills – Marketing operations, lead nurturing, customer relationship management, automation, data science and visualisation
   ● Soft skills – Interpersonal skills, management skills, communication skills, and problem-solving
   ● Management skills – Integrity, leading by example, team building, inclusive workforce, positive, communication, listening
   ● Language skills – If applicable, include proficiency levels
   ● Creative skills – Graphic design, content creation, or digital marketing skills
   If you are changing careers, focus on transferable skills that can be applied to the new industry.
   
4. Professional Experience (Employment History)
   This section should highlight your previous experience, achievements, and responsibilities. The description of your role should consist of one or two sentences for the first bullet point, the next points, up to a maximum of three, should show the value you have added to that role.

List your roles in reverse-chronological order, including:

● Job title
● Company name and location
● Dates of employment (month/year – month/year)
● Key achievements and responsibilities
Example
Sales Executive | ABC Ltd | January 2020 – Present
● Increased annual revenue by £500,000 through targeted client acquisition
● Developed a customer retention strategy that improved repeat sales by 30%
● Led a team of junior sales associates, providing mentorship and training
Use strong action verbs to demonstrate your achievements, such as developed, managed, implemented, and achieved.
What to avoid – Listing job duties without highlighting measurable achievements.

5. Educational Background and Professional Qualifications
   
   List your qualifications in reverse-chronological order, including:
   
   ● Degree, diploma, or certification
   ● University or institution name
   ● Dates of study
   
   Example:
   
   BA in Marketing | University of Leeds | 2018 – 2021
   If you did not receive a degree still place your schools and colleges and the years, and your highest qualifications.
   You can also list any extra technical, or self-development courses you have completed, especially if it is relevant to the job you are applying for.
   What to avoid – Outdated or irrelevant courses that do not align with your career goals.
   
6. Additional Sections (Enhancing Your CV)
   
   Depending on the job application, you may wish to include:
   
   ● Extracurricular activities (if relevant to the role)
   ● Certifications and training (for example, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or industry-
   specific programmes)
   ● Volunteering experience (demonstrates additional skills and commitment)
   ● Projects and portfolios (especially important for creative and tech industries)
   For roles in creative industries, including a portfolio link can significantly strengthen your application.

Optimising Your CV for Succes

Making Your CV ATS-Friendly (Passing the First Screening)
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter applications. To ensure your CV is processed correctly, follow these guidelines
● Use a professional CV template with a simple layout and sufficient white space for readability
● Stick to common fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri
● Use keywords from the job description to highlight job-relevant skills
● Save your CV in the correct file format (PDF is generally the safest option)
What to avoid – Overly complex formatting, tables, and images, as these can confuse ATS software.

9 CV Mistakes That Could Cost You the Job

1. Spelling and grammar mistakes – proofread carefully
2. Poor formatting – use clear headings and space your content properly
3. Generic personal statements – tailor this section for each job
4. Excessive length – keep your CV to one or two pages
5. Listing responsibilities instead of achievements – focus on key accomplishments
6. Including irrelevant experience – tailor your CV to the specific role
7. Using jargon or overused buzzwords – be clear and specific
8. Failing to include measurable achievements – use quantifiable data where possible
9. Using an unprofessional email address – create a professional email for job
   applications

Trick of the Trade
At the end of your CV write keywords relevant to the job you are applying for and then change the font colour to white. That way if recruiters are using an ATS or some form of boolean search, you will make sure your CV appears without having to write pages to
include them in.

Writing a CV That Stands Out

Writing a strong CV does not mean cramming everything in. It is about presenting your relevant skills, professional experience, and achievements in a way that clearly demonstrates your value to an employer.

By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you will create a professional, compelling CV that makes a strong first impression.
Still unsure of what to put? Download our ‘7 Secrets to your CV Success” guide by following this link.
If you are looking for a new opportunity, take the time to optimise your CV and ensure it meets the expectations of employers in your industry. A well-structured and tailored CV could be the key to securing your next role.