How to write a CV that stands out

An employer spends seconds on each CV. A clear, tidy CV makes a strong first impression and boosts your interview chances, whatever your experience.

Start with a short summary

Put two lines at the top summarising your specialisation, key experience, and what you're looking for. This summary is read first — make it specific and professional, not generic.

Organise the content clearly

• Work experience newest to oldest, with concrete achievements, not just duties.
• Relevant qualifications and certificates.
• Technical skills and languages, realistically.
• Clear, up-to-date contact details.

Tailor it to each job

Adjust the summary and skills to fit each ad, using words from the job description. A tailored CV always beats one generic version sent to everyone.

Keep it short and clean

One or two pages is usually enough. Use a simple layout and clear font, and proofread for spelling — a small typo signals a lack of care.