Most CVs get about ten seconds of attention before someone decides whether to keep reading. That sounds harsh, but it's actually useful to know. It tells you exactly what a CV needs to do: put the right information in front of someone fast, in a format they trust immediately.

Stick with a clear, familiar structure

Most employers still expect a reverse-chronological layout, with your most recent role listed first. There's a simple reason for that: it's the easiest format for a person to scan quickly, and it's also the easiest for automated systems to read correctly. This isn't really the place for a highly designed or unconventional layout. If you've got a portfolio, save the creativity for that. Your CV's job is to be read easily and taken seriously.

Keep the formatting consistent from top to bottom: same font, same heading sizes, same spacing between sections. A CV that looks slightly different section to section can read as careless, even when the actual content is strong.

Screening software is common now, but write for people first

It's increasingly common for larger employers to run CVs through some kind of applicant tracking system before a person ever sees them. The reassuring part is that a genuinely clear, well-structured CV is also exactly what these systems handle best. Plain formatting, standard headings, a logical layout. Avoid text boxes, tables, and unusual fonts, since these can confuse how a system reads your document, and don't put important information inside images or graphics.

Where it genuinely applies, use the same language as the job advert. If a posting specifically mentions "stakeholder management" and that's something you've actually done, say it that way rather than reaching for a vaguer synonym. This isn't about stuffing in keywords for the sake of it. It's about describing your real experience using words the employer already recognises.

Worth knowing: tailoring your CV to each role, even in small ways like adjusting which experience you lead with, consistently beats sending out the same generic version everywhere. It takes longer per application, but it's time well spent.

Show outcomes, not just duties

"Responsible for managing a small team" tells an employer what your job was. "Managed a team of five and restructured shift patterns, cutting missed deadlines" tells them what you actually achieved. Wherever you can, describe the result rather than just the task. If you genuinely have a number, use it: team size, time saved, a percentage, anything concrete.

No hard number to hand? That's fine too. A clear, specific outcome written in plain language still beats a generic duty statement every time.

Write a short, specific personal statement

Three or four lines at the top, introducing who you are before someone reads the rest, goes a long way. It needs to be specific to you and to the role. Skip the generic phrases like "hard-working team player" and just say what you actually do, what you're good at, and roughly what you're looking for next.

Common mistakes worth avoiding

A few things come up again and again on CVs that otherwise look strong:

  • Spelling and grammar slips. A small error can undercut an otherwise solid CV, so read it aloud and get a second pair of eyes on it if you can.
  • An unprofessional email address. Keep it simple and based on your actual name.
  • Burying your best material further down the page. The top third of page one gets the most attention, so lead with your strongest, most relevant experience.
  • Sending the same CV to every application without adjusting it. Even small, targeted changes make a real difference.
  • Letting it run too long. Two pages is a sensible limit for most people. Be selective rather than including everything you've ever done.

A simple structure that works for most people

  • Name and contact details (a town or city is enough; you don't need a full postal address)
  • A short personal statement, three or four lines
  • Work experience, most recent first, with outcome-focused bullet points
  • Education and relevant qualifications
  • Key skills, kept relevant to the role rather than an exhaustive list

None of this needs to be complicated. A clear, honest CV that's genuinely tailored to the role will consistently beat something flashier that isn't.