How to write a good CV?

Your CV is often your first opportunity to make an impression on a potential employer. In today's competitive job market, standing out from the crowd is essential. The good news? A well-crafted CV can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview.

Whether you're creating your first CV or updating an existing one, this guide will help you understand what makes a good CV and how to present yourself in the best possible light.

What should you include in a CV?

A strong CV tells your professional story clearly and concisely. It should highlight your relevant skills, experience, and qualifications whilst demonstrating why you're the right person for the role. Think of it as your personal marketing document. Every section should work together to show potential employers what you can offer.

The key is relevance. Everything you include should support your application for the specific role you're pursuing. This means tailoring your CV for each application, emphasising the experience and skills that match what the employer is looking for.

Why you need a CV

Your CV is more than just a formality, it's your ticket to an interview. In a competitive job market, your CV needs to work hard to get you noticed and help you stand out from other applicants.

Employers use CVs to quickly assess whether you have the right qualifications, experience, and skills for the role. It's worth highlighting not just what you've done, but how you've worked with others and approached challenges. Recruiters are increasingly interested in your soft skills alongside your technical abilities.

With many hiring managers now using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen CVs before personally reviewing them, your CV also needs to be formatted in a way that these systems can read effectively.

Updating an existing CV

If you already have a CV, regular updates are important. Even if you're not actively job hunting, keeping your CV current means you're always ready when opportunities arise.

When updating, focus on your most recent experience and achievements. Remove outdated information that's no longer relevant, and ensure your skills section reflects what employers in your field are currently looking for. It's also worth reviewing the language you've used. Does it align with current job descriptions in your industry?

Remember to build experience for your CV through volunteering, projects, or additional training if you're looking to strengthen your application.

Sections to include in a CV

Contact details

Start with the basics: your full name, phone number, email address, and location (city and county). You don't need to include your full address for privacy reasons. Make sure your email address is professional – firstname.lastname@email.com is always a safe choice.

Introduction

Also known as a personal statement or professional summary, this brief section sits at the top of your CV. In 3-4 sentences, summarise who you are professionally, your key strengths, and what you're looking for. Tailor this to each role you apply for, making it clear why you're interested in this specific opportunity.

Research shows that 60% of hiring managers look for a strong personal statement, particularly for in-house positions.

Education

List your qualifications in reverse chronological order (most recent first), including the institution, dates, and grades if they're strong.

If you're currently studying, you can include your studies in your CV by noting your expected graduation date and highlighting relevant coursework or projects.

Work history

This is the heart of your CV. List your roles in reverse chronological order, including job title, company name, dates, and bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements. Focus on accomplishments rather than just listing duties. Use numbers and specific examples where possible.

For instance, instead of "Responsible for customer service," write "Resolved an average of 50 customer queries daily, achieving a 95% satisfaction rating."

Employment gaps

It's perfectly normal to have gaps in your employment history. Whether you've taken time to care for family, pursue further education, or deal with personal circumstances, brief, honest explanations work best. Focus on any skills or experience you gained during this time.

References

Rather than listing references on your CV, simply note "References available upon request." This saves space for more important information, and employers will ask for references when they need them.

Top tips for writing a good CV

List most recent experience/qualifications first

It may sound obvious, but it's not uncommon for people to list their experience and qualifications in chronological order, starting with their first job or secondary school qualifications. A prospective employer will be most interested in where you're currently working and what you studied at university, rather than where you worked as a teenager and what your GCSE grades were. However, don't dismiss earlier achievements entirely, as they may still be relevant to the role you're applying for.

Be clear and concise

To make your CV easily digestible, avoid large paragraphs of text. Instead, stick to short paragraphs and bullet-pointed lists, using these to draw attention to your key responsibilities and achievements. This technique makes your CV easier on the eye and the person reviewing it happier to read it.

Stick to two A4 pages or less

Anyone reviewing CVs will likely have many to get through and will appreciate it if they aren't too lengthy. Research consistently shows that 91% of recruiters say two pages is the ideal CV length. Always make sure your CV doesn't exceed two sides of A4 paper. If you find yourself with too many things to include, try removing things that perhaps aren't so relevant. As long as you're being clear and concise, sticking to two pages shouldn't be difficult.

Formatting matters too. 65% of hiring managers said they'd be less likely to hire someone with a poorly formatted CV, with 11% considering it a dealbreaker.

Look closely at the job description

If you're unsure of the most important or relevant things to include in your CV, having a close look at the job description and role requirements should point you in the right direction. Think carefully about what the employer is looking for and find ways to link that to the experience you've acquired so far. If you have any examples of when you've used a specific skill they're looking for, try to summarise this in a single sentence. Although you can usually find a way to make your experience sound relevant, never lie or exaggerate in your CV. It's not worth the risk.

Include your interests

Interests aren't always relevant to a job application. If you enjoy going to the cinema or eating out, these probably aren't things the employer needs to know about. However, if you enjoy playing team sports, this is something worth mentioning as it can prove you have communication and leadership skills and even good self-motivation. Volunteering and charity work is another thing employers like to see, so don't forget to include that if it's applicable.

Briefly address any gaps

If there are substantial gaps in your CV, it's best to address these rather than letting the potential employer make guesses about what you were doing with your time. Briefly explaining these gaps will stop the person reviewing it from jumping to conclusions. This can easily be done by writing something as simple as the dates accompanied by words like 'searching for employment', 'caring for family', or 'travelling'.

How to make a CV ATS friendly?

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software programs that scan and filter CVs before they reach human eyes. With 70% of UK enterprise businesses using ATS software to screen CVs, understanding how to optimize for these systems is essential.

To make your CV ATS-friendly:

• Use standard section headings like "Work Experience" rather than creative alternatives
• Include relevant keywords from the job description naturally throughout your CV
• Use a simple, clean format without tables or text boxes
• Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
• Save your CV as a Word document (.docx) or PDF, unless specified otherwise

The goal isn't to trick the system, it's to ensure the ATS can accurately read your qualifications so your CV reaches the hiring manager.

You're ready to create your standout CV

Creating a good CV takes time and thought, but it's an investment in your future. Remember to proofread carefully and never forget to read back through your CV once you've finished it. Our eyes can often be tricked into seeing what we think we've written rather than what's actually on the page, so if you can get someone else to proofread it for you, that could be even more effective.

With these guidelines, you're well-equipped to create a CV that showcases your strengths and helps you stand out. At Arden, we're here to support your career journey every step of the way. Your potential is clear, now it's time to make sure your CV reflects that.