.png)
Writing a CV is one of those jobs everyone puts off for as long as possible. It’s awkward and time-consuming.
Most people either overthink it or rush it, and usually the end result is a document that doesn’t really show what they’re capable of.
But your CV is your first impression it's important that is does the job in getting you noticed by employers in such a competitive market.
So, if you’ve been putting it off or staring at a blank page wondering where to start, here’s some straightforward advice that actually makes a difference.
Keep it short. Seriously.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to include EVERYTHING.
Every responsibility, task, detail and before you know it, your CV reads like a novel.
To keep things real, recruiters and hiring managers don’t have time for that. They’re scanning, not studying. If your key points aren’t obvious within seconds, they’ll get missed.
Think of it this way: your CV is your highlight reel.
Cut the fluff. Keep it sharp. Make every word earn its place.
Get to the point quickly
Your personal statement isn’t the place for vague, generic lines.
“Hardworking team player with excellent communication skills” doesn’t tell anyone anything meaningful. Instead, be direct. What do you actually do? What are you good at? What kind of roles are you targeting?
Don’t downplay your achievements
This is where a lot of people fall short. They list responsibilities but skip over results.
Managing a team is good. Improving team performance by 25% is better. Hitting targets is expected. Exceeding them consistently is worth shouting about.
If you don’t highlight what you’ve achieved, no one else will fill in the gaps for you. Be clear on your value.
Start with what matters most
Always lead with your most recent experience. What you’re doing now (or just finished doing) is the most relevant thing to an employer. Work backwards from there, keeping older roles shorter and more concise.
This helps keep your CV focused and easy to follow, rather than feeling like a long trip down memory lane.
Make it easy to read
This sounds obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Dense blocks of text, inconsistent formatting, and cluttered layouts make it harder for someone to quickly understand your experience.
Use clear headings. Keep paragraphs short. Break things into bullet points where it makes sense. A clean, well-structured CV performs better.
Also, remember a lot of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that employers use might not be able to read/scan your CV if the format is all over the place. Avoid columns, images etc. Just keep it simple and scannable.
Let a bit of personality through
A CV doesn’t need to be robotic.
Yes, it should be professional. But it should still sound like you. A bit of personality can help you stand out, especially when many CVs start to blur into one. Just keep it balanced. The goal is to be memorable for the right reasons.
Make it impossible to ignore
At its core, your CV has one job: to make someone want to speak to you. That means being clear, concise, and confident in what you bring to the table.
If it’s easy to read and highlights real impact, you’re already ahead of most applicants.
If you’re not sure whether your CV is hitting the mark, getting a second opinion can make a real difference. That’s where we come in.
At VANRATH, we look at CVs every day. We know what clients actually pay attention to, what gets overlooked, and what makes someone stand out for the right reasons. We can help you tighten the message, pull out the achievements that matter, and position your experience in a way that lands.
If you’re exploring new opportunities, we’ll work with you to make sure your CV gets noticed AND does you justice.
📞 028 9033 0250
🌐 www.vanrath.com