We've pulled together helpful guidance to help you create a strong CV.
A well-written CV should do more than list your work history—it should clearly demonstrate the value you can bring to an employer. The aim is to make it easy for recruiters to see why you're a strong fit for the role.
Avoid sending the same CV to every employer. Read the job description carefully and adapt your CV to highlight the skills, experience and achievements that are most relevant to the role. Tip: Use keywords from the job advert where they accurately reflect your experience. Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to search for these terms.
Your personal profile should be a short introduction that explains: • Who you are professionally • Your key skills • Your experience • What you're looking for next. Example: Experienced Customer Service Manager with over eight years' experience leading high-performing teams, improving customer satisfaction and delivering operational excellence. A confident communicator with strong leadership and problem-solving skills, now seeking a new opportunity to contribute to a customer-focused organisation.
Include a concise skills section near the top of your CV. Only include skills that are relevant to the roles you're applying for. Examples: • Leadership • Project Management • Customer Service • Data Analysis • Sales • Budget Management • Team Development • Microsoft Office • CRM Systems • Health & Safety • Communication • Problem Solving
Recruiters want to know the impact you've made. Instead of: Managed a customer service team. Try: Led a team of 15 advisors, increasing customer satisfaction scores by 18% while reducing response times by 25%. Use numbers wherever possible. Examples: • Increased sales by 20% • Reduced costs by £50,000 • Managed budgets of £2 million • Trained 40 new employees • Improved productivity by 15%