CV Advice That
Helps You Stand Out
Your CV is often your first impression. Make it count with our expert tips on formatting, structure, and what employers are really looking for.
Whether you're writing your first CV or updating an existing one, we've got the advice you need to showcase your skills and land that interview.
What makes a good CV?
A strong CV should be tailored to the specific role you're applying for, highlighting your most relevant skills and experience. It needs to be easy for recruiters to scan quickly while still providing enough detail to show why you're the right candidate.
A good CV must be:
What to include in your CV
While every CV is unique, there are standard sections that employers expect to see. Make sure your CV covers these essential components.
Contact details
Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, and location. You can also add a link to a professional profile or portfolio. If you have the right to work in the UK, you can say so - employers will check it before you start.
Personal profile
A short, punchy statement at the beginning of your CV that highlights your key attributes and career goals. Keep it to 3-4 sentences.
Work experience
List your employment history in reverse chronological order. Focus on your responsibilities and, more importantly, your achievements.
Skills
Highlight a mix of hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (communication, leadership) relevant to the job you're applying for.
Education and qualifications
List your educational background, including degrees, certifications, and relevant training courses. Start with the most recent.
Hobbies and interests
Optional section. Only include hobbies that demonstrate relevant skills or add value to your application (e.g., volunteering, team sports).
How long should a CV be?
The standard advice in the UK is that a CV should be no longer than two pages. Recruiters are busy and often scan CVs quickly. Keeping it concise ensures your most important information stands out.
If you're a school leaver or recent graduate with limited experience, a single page is perfectly acceptable. For senior professionals or academics, it may occasionally stretch to three pages, but this should be the exception, not the rule.
Top CV tips
Tailor your CV for every application
Don't send the same generic CV to every employer. Read the job description carefully and tweak your profile, skills, and experience to match their requirements.
Focus on achievements
Instead of just listing duties, highlight what you actually achieved. Use numbers and statistics where possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 15%").
Use a clear layout
Keep it clean and easy to read. Use bullet points, clear headings, and plenty of white space. Choose a professional font like Arial or Calibri.
Proofread before sending
Spelling and grammar mistakes are the quickest way to get your CV rejected. Double-check everything, and ideally, ask a friend to read it too.
Personal profile examples
Struggling to write your personal profile? Here are a few examples to get you started.
Example: customer service CV profile
"A highly motivated and adaptable Customer Service Professional with over 5 years of experience in fast-paced retail environments. Proven track record of resolving complex customer issues and maintaining a 98% satisfaction rating. Looking to leverage my communication skills in a senior support role."
Example: marketing CV profile
"Creative and data-driven Digital Marketing Executive specialising in SEO and content strategy. Successfully increased organic traffic by 40% for previous employer. Passionate about brand storytelling and seeking a challenging role within a forward-thinking tech agency."
Example: graduate CV profile
"Recent BSc Computer Science graduate with first-class honours. Strong foundation in software development, with practical experience in Python and Java gained through academic projects and a 3-month internship. Eager to begin a career as a Junior Developer."
Common CV mistakes to avoid
Don't let these common errors ruin your chances of getting an interview:
- Spelling and grammatical errors
- Using an unprofessional email address
- Including a photo (not standard in the UK)
- Your date of birth, age, marital status or nationality - UK employers don't need them to judge your application
- Health or disability details - you can ask for adjustments to the process at any stage
- Lying or exaggerating your experience
- Making it too long (over 2 pages)
- Using bizarre fonts or crazy designs
Always double-check your CV before hitting send. A fresh pair of eyes can catch mistakes you might have missed.
CV advice for different situations
Not everyone's career path is a straight line. Here's how to handle specific circumstances on your CV.
Writing your first CV
Focus on your education, transferable skills from school/university, and any volunteering or part-time work.
Career changers
Use a skills-based CV format to highlight the transferable skills that make you suitable for the new industry.
Returning to work
You don't have to explain a career gap. If you want to, a short line is enough (e.g., "raising a family" or "travelling") - then focus on your readiness to return.
Older workers
You don't need to list every job since 1985. Focus on the last 10-15 years of relevant experience to keep it concise.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most UK job seekers, your CV should be one to two pages. Focus on the most relevant experience, skills, and achievements for the role you seek.
Ready to strengthen your CV?
A great CV is your ticket to more interviews. Once you're happy with it, search for jobs on GetMeHired and attach it when you apply.
Quick CV checklist
- Is it under 2 pages?
- Are contact details correct?
- Did you proofread for spelling/grammar?
- Is it tailored to the job description?
- Did you highlight your achievements?
"Your CV is the story of your professional life. Make sure it's a page-turner."