How to Write a CV That Gets Noticed

Why Your CV Matters

Your CV is often the first impression you make on potential employers. Recruiters spend an average of just 6-7 seconds on initial CV screenings. In that brief moment, your CV needs to demonstrate your value and convince them to read further.

A well-crafted CV can open doors to interviews and opportunities, while a poorly formatted one might be rejected regardless of your qualifications.

Essential CV Sections

1. Contact Information

Place your name prominently at the top, followed by:

• Professional email address
• Phone number
• Location (city and country)
• LinkedIn profile URL
• Portfolio or personal website (if relevant)

2. Professional Summary

Write 2-4 sentences highlighting your key qualifications, experience level, and career goals. This is your elevator pitch - make it compelling and tailored to your target role.

3. Work Experience

List your positions in reverse chronological order. For each role, include:

• Job title and company name
• Employment dates
• 3-5 bullet points describing achievements (not just duties)
• Quantifiable results wherever possible

4. Education

Include your highest degree first, with institution name, degree title, and graduation year. Add relevant coursework or academic achievements if you're a recent graduate.

5. Skills

List both technical skills (software, tools, languages) and soft skills (leadership, communication). Prioritize skills mentioned in the job description you're targeting.

Writing Tips That Make a Difference

Use Action Verbs

Start bullet points with strong action verbs: achieved, developed, implemented, led, managed, created, designed, improved, increased, reduced.

Quantify Your Achievements

Numbers catch attention and provide concrete evidence of your impact:

• "Increased sales by 25% in Q4 2025"
• "Managed team of 12 developers"
• "Reduced customer complaints by 40%"

Tailor for Each Application

Customize your CV for each job by emphasizing relevant experience and using keywords from the job description. Many companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) that scan for keywords.

Formatting Best Practices

• Length: 1-2 pages for most professionals
• Font: Professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica
• Font Size: 10-12pt for body text, larger for headers
• Margins: At least 0.5 inches on all sides
• Format: Save as PDF to preserve formatting

Common CV Mistakes to Avoid

1. Typos and grammatical errors (always proofread!)
2. Using an unprofessional email address
3. Including irrelevant personal information
4. Making it too long or too short
5. Using the same CV for every application
6. Listing duties instead of achievements
7. Using dense paragraphs instead of bullet points

Should You Include a Photo?

This depends on your location and industry:

• USA/UK: Generally not expected due to anti-discrimination laws
• Europe/Asia: Often expected or appreciated
• Creative fields: May be more common

When in doubt, research the norms for your target country and industry.

Conclusion

A great CV is your ticket to interviews and career opportunities. Focus on achievements over duties, quantify your impact, and tailor each CV to the specific role. Use our free CV generator to create a professional, well-formatted CV in minutes.