Recruiters and hiring managers often scan a CV in just a few seconds. If the layout is cluttered or difficult to follow, important details get lost.

• Length: Stick to two pages maximum. Keep concise and focus on what is most relevant.

• Format: Use a clean, standard font (like Arial or Calibri) in a readable size (10 to 12 pt), with clear section headers and bullet points.

• Order: Place your most recent experience first and work backwards chronologically.

Key Sections to Include

1. Contact Details

Keep this brief at the very top. You only need:

• Full name

• Phone number

• Professional email address

• Location (town and county are fine, no need for a full home address)

• LinkedIn profile link (if up to date)

2. Personal Profile

Write a brief 3 to 4 sentence summary highlighting who you are, what you bring to the table, and what kind of role you are looking for. Avoid generic phrases like “hard-working team player.” Instead, focus on your core strengths and what sets you apart.

3. Work Experience

This is the heart of your CV. For each role, list:

• Job title

• Company name

• Dates employed (month and year)

• Key responsibilities and achievements in bullet points

Tip: Focus on results where you can. Rather than listing just your duties, mention the outcome. For example, instead of “Managed customer queries,” write “Handled customer queries efficiently, maintaining high satisfaction scores.”

4. Skills

Include a concise bulleted list of hard and soft skills tailored to the job you are applying for. These might include software proficiency, languages, certifications, project management, or specialised trade skills.

5. Education & Qualifications

List your highest qualifications first, including the institution, qualification level, subject, and completion date. If you have years of work experience, keep this section short and place it towards the end.