How to draft a really effective CV

Here are some key tips to help you craft an effective CV that stands out to employers:

1. Tailor your CV to the job

  • Customise: Adapt your CV for each job application. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position you’re applying for.
  • Use keywords: Study the job description and use relevant keywords that match the role, particularly if submitting your CV through an applicant tracking system (ATS).

2. Keep it concise and focused

  • 1-2 Pages max: Keep your CV brief, ideally one page for early-career professionals and up to two pages for more experienced candidates.
  • Be selective: Include only the most relevant information. Avoid listing every job you’ve ever had, focusing on roles that best demonstrate your qualifications for the current job.

3. Create a strong professional summary

  • Start with a Summary: Open with a concise professional summary or objective. It should highlight your key skills, experiences, and what you bring to the table in 2-3 sentences.
  • Tailor it: This summary should be customised for each job, showing how your background fits their needs.

4. Highlight achievements, not just responsibilities

  • Focus on impact: Instead of listing what you were responsible for, highlight what you achieved. Use metrics (e.g., “Improved operational efficiency by 19% in Q3”) to show tangible results.
  • Use action verbs: Begin bullet points with strong action verbs like “managed,” “implemented,” “achieved,” or “developed” to emphasise accomplishments.

5. Quantify Your Results

  • Be specific: Numbers help employers understand the scale of your achievements. Whenever possible, quantify your impact, such as “Managed a team of 10” or “Reduced costs by 15%.”
  • Show growth: Highlight ways you contributed to growth, efficiency, or improvement within your previous roles.

6. Organise your CV logically

  • Reverse Chronological Order: List your most recent work experience first, followed by previous positions. This is the standard format, as all recruiters prioritise current experiences.
  • Clear sections: Use headings (e.g., Experience, Education, Skills) to break up your CV. Ensure it’s easy to navigate, with consistent formatting and font size throughout.

7. Emphasise relevant Skills

  • Hard and Soft Skills: Balance technical skills (e.g., software, programming languages) with soft skills (e.g., leadership, communication). Both are valuable.
  • Skills Section: Consider creating a separate skills section to clearly highlight the abilities that make you the ideal candidate.

8. Avoid clichés and jargon

  • Be Specific, Not Generic: Avoid overused phrases like “team player” or “hard worker.” Instead, demonstrate those qualities through your accomplishments and examples.
  • Avoid buzzwords: Words like “synergy” and “innovative” can sound empty. Focus on concrete skills and achievements.

9. Use a clean and professional layout

  • Simple formatting: Stick to a clean, professional format with plenty of white space. Avoid overusing colours, graphics, or complex fonts, as these make your CV hard for recruitment AI tools to process.
  • Consistent fonts: Use a professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in a readable size (10-12 points).

10. Include education and certifications

  • Relevant education: List your highest degree first, including the institution and dates of study. Only include high school if you haven’t completed a degree.
  • Certifications and training: Mention any professional certifications or courses relevant to the job, especially for tech-related roles (e.g. ITIL, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Workday, UiPath certifications etc).

11. Proofread for perfection

  • Avoid typos: Spelling or grammatical mistakes can quickly disqualify your CV. Proofread carefully or ask someone else to review it.
  • Be consistent: Ensure consistent use of bullet points, dates, and formatting throughout.

12. Use a professional email address

  • Professional contact details: Use a professional email address that includes your name (e.g., john.doe@example.com), not a casual or outdated one.

13. Don’t include irrelevant personal information

  • Skip the personal details: There’s no need to include personal information like age, marital status, or a photo, unless required by specific country norms or industry practices.

14. Leverage online presence

  • LinkedIn profile: Include a link to your LinkedIn profile (make sure it’s up-to-date and consistent with your CV). If relevant, link to a portfolio or personal website that showcases your work.

15. Highlight transferable skills for career changes

  • Show flexibility: If you’re changing industries or roles, emphasize transferable skills that are applicable across sectors, such as leadership, communication, or problem-solving.

16. Show continuous learning

  • Highlight recent learning: Mention any recent professional development or courses, especially if you’re transitioning to a new field or upgrading your skills.


A well-crafted CV not only presents your qualifications but also tells your professional story clearly and compellingly. Following these tips will help ensure your CV grabs the attention of hiring managers and gets you closer to your career goals.