.png)
A new year is often the trigger people need to take stock of their career. Whether you are actively looking or just open to opportunities, having an up-to-date CV is one of the simplest ways to put yourself in a stronger position.
Below are some practical CV tips we share with candidates every day. None of them are revolutionary on their own, but together they make a huge difference.
1. Forget the fancy artwork
Unless you work in a field where design is genuinely required, overly styled CVs can work against you. Recruiters and hiring managers want to find information quickly and clearly. Too much formatting, colour, or graphics can actually make your CV harder to read and harder for systems to parse.
Clean, simple, and well structured always wins.
2. Forget the “2-page rule”
There is no magic page limit. What matters is relevance.
Get all of the relevant information on your CV. As you go further back in your career, you can reduce the level of detail, but do not remove experience that could give you an advantage. If it adds value, it belongs there.
3. Make the top of your CV count
At a glance, someone should be able to see:
Your current or target job title
What you actually do
Education and older qualifications can usually sit lower down the document. The top of your CV should focus on what is most relevant to the role you want now.
4. Double-check your contact details
This sounds obvious, but you would be surprised how often CVs come through without phone numbers or with outdated email addresses.
If your details are missing or incorrect, you simply will not get the call.
5. Optimise for how CVs are searched and ranked
Recruiters and AI screening tools search CVs based on the job description. If a role requires a particular tool, methodology, skill, or system and it is not mentioned on your CV, you may score lower or not appear at all.
Include:
Tools and technologies
CRM systems
Tech stacks
Methodologies
Industries you have worked in
Even if something feels obvious to you, write it down.
6. Make sure dates are accurate and complete
All roles should have clear dates. Gaps are not a problem. They are far more common than people realise.
If you want to explain a gap, you can add it as an additional position with a short description outlining what happened. Transparency is always better than leaving things unclear.
7. Use job titles the market understands
Some companies use obscure or internal job titles. That is fine, but make sure your CV reflects what the role would be recognised as in the market.
You can keep the official title and add a clearer equivalent alongside it if needed. This helps both recruiters and systems understand your experience properly.
8. Highlight leadership and impact
If you have managed people, include it. Add:
Team size
Scope of responsibility
Performance or delivery outcomes if you have them
This context matters and is often the difference between being shortlisted or not.
9. Keep it clean
Clear structure, consistent formatting, and easy-to-scan sections go a long way. A recruiter should be able to understand your background in under a minute.
10. Be visible
Make sure your CV and profile are visible on platforms like LinkedIn and Seek. Specialists rarely rely solely on job adverts. They actively go out and search for people.
If you are not visible, you may be missing out on the best opportunities.
11. Tailor your CV when applying
There is nothing wrong with slightly adjusting your CV to better align with a role you are applying for, as long as you do not lie or embellish.
Small tweaks can help you stand out and better reflect your relevance.
12. Proof-read properly
Always have someone else read through your CV to check spelling, grammar, and clarity. Fresh eyes catch things you will miss.
AI tools can also be useful for proofreading and refinement, but be careful not to overdo it. Always double-check the final version and make sure it still sounds like you.
Each of these tips is a 1%-er. On their own they might not feel significant, but combined they add up. Done properly, you will see a noticeable increase in:
Recruiter outreach
Responses to applications
Quality of opportunities coming your way
Good luck, and if you want a second set of eyes on your CV, we are always here to help