How to Write a Killer CV

A well-crafted CV is essential for securing new opportunities, whether you're looking to advance your career, switch industries, or re-enter the job market. Regardless of whether you have a specific role in mind or are simply exploring options, keeping your CV up to date ensures you're always ready to showcase your experience and achievements. Taking the time to refine your CV can also help you reflect on your career progression and highlight new skills that may open doors to unexpected opportunities.

While tailoring your CV for each application is essential—this applies to your cover letter as well—maintaining a solid, up-to-date CV can streamline future applications and enhance your prospects.

Drawing upon the extensive experience of our VWA Recruitment Consultants, we've compiled the ultimate guide to crafting a standout CV.

Make life easy for your potential employer

Put yourself in the shoes of the potential recruiter and take time to assess whether the information you’ve included is truly relevant and valuable. Imagine the process of going through a large pile of CVs and remember that they are likely to be skim-reading just to get through them all! Ensure your CV is succinct, clear to read and well formatted so that they can pick out your key selling points easily.

​What should I include in my CV?

Contact Information

Clearly display your email and telephone number at the top of each page. Including your address, date of birth, or photo is unnecessary.

Personal statement

While not mandatory, a concise personal statement can effectively highlight your strengths and suitability for the role. Limit this to 1-2 sentences and avoid overused terms such as 'great communicator', 'highly organised', and 'proactive'.

Work Experience

List your relevant work experience in reverse chronological order, including your job title, organisation's name, tenure, and a brief, bulleted description of key responsibilities. Incorporating company logos can add visual appeal and draw attention, especially if you've worked for well-known organisations.

Education and Achievements

Detail your educational background, including qualifications, grades, and dates. Highlight relevant skills and achievements from your academic or professional experiences, focusing on those pertinent to the role you're applying for.

Hobbies and Interests

Again, before you write anything here, consider its relevance to the position you are applying for. Do not feel compelled to add hobbies or interests you have unless you can make a clear association. Adding ‘I love rock climbing’ to your CV is not going to make the difference between securing an interview or not!

Formatting and Presentation

Ensure your CV is succinct, clear, and well-formatted to facilitate easy skimming by recruiters. Use bullet points, consistent fonts, and adequate spacing to enhance readability.

Dos and Don’ts of Writing a CV

Do:

✅ Keep it clear and concise – aim for a maximum of two pages.
✅ Tailor your CV to each role, emphasising relevant skills and experience.
✅ Use professional, easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
✅ Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Increased efficiency by 20%").
✅ Proofread thoroughly to avoid spelling or grammatical mistakes.

Don't:

❌ Include unnecessary personal details such as age, marital status, or a photo.
❌ Overload with jargon or buzzwords – keep it simple and to the point.
❌ List every job you've ever had – focus on relevant experience.
❌ Use long paragraphs – opt for bullet points for readability.
❌ Send your CV without checking for errors or asking someone else to review it.

By following these tips, you can ensure your CV stands out for all the right reasons, helping you secure interviews and move forward in your career.

Finally…

Remember that your up to date CV is a base to work from and it is vital that you tailor your CV to each role that you apply for. Carefully read the job description and try to ensure that all the key elements are covered within your CV and covering letter.

Read next: 

Interview Etiquette for Candidates: Mastering the Art of Professionalism

Building a Personal Brand: Why It Matters in Your Job Search