How to Write a CV That Gets You Noticed

Your CV has one job: to earn you an interview. Recruiters often scan a CV in under 30 seconds, so clarity wins. Here's how to write one that gets noticed.

Use a clean, scannable structure

Stick to a logical order recruiters expect:

1. Name & contact details (email, phone, city)
2. Professional summary — 2–3 lines on who you are and what you offer
3. Work experience — most recent first
4. Skills — relevant, specific
5. Education & certifications

Keep it to 1–2 pages, with consistent fonts and plenty of white space.

Lead with achievements, not duties

Anyone can list responsibilities. Show impact with numbers:

• ❌ "Responsible for sales."
• ✅ "Grew regional sales 28% in 12 months by …"

Start each bullet with an action verb (led, built, reduced, launched) and quantify the result wherever you can.

Tailor it to the role

Mirror the language in the job advert. If they ask for "stakeholder management," and you've done it, use that phrase. Many employers scan for keywords, so matching them matters.

Avoid the common mistakes

• Typos and inconsistent formatting
• A generic CV sent to every job
• Long paragraphs instead of bullets
• Listing every job since school — keep the last ~10 years relevant

Keep your details private and current

On HelloJobs your CV stays private — it's only shared with a recruiter after you're shortlisted and an admin approves the request. Upload your latest version, complete your profile, and you become visible to recruiters hiring for roles that match you.

Complete your profile and start applying →