Essential Tips & Best Practices for Writing an Effective CV
Create a strong CV that makes a positive impression on recruiters and passes both human and automated screening. Evidence-based tips, sector-specific advice, and guidance on tailoring your CV to each job application.
General Principles for a High-Impact CV
Tailor Your CV to Each Job
Analyze the job description and use relevant keywords, skills, and experiences that match the employer's requirements.
Be Concise and Structured
Keep your CV to 1–2 pages. Use clear headings, bullet points, and a professional layout.
Start with a Strong Profile
Open with a brief, targeted summary that highlights your most relevant skills, experience, and career goals.
Focus on Achievements
Use quantifiable results and specific examples to demonstrate your impact.
Proofread Carefully
Spelling, grammar, and formatting errors can undermine your professionalism.
How to Tailor Your CV to the Job Description
Analyze the Job Description
Identify key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities. Highlight these in your CV using the same language as the employer.
Prioritize Relevant Information
Place the most relevant experience and skills near the top of your CV. Reorganize sections if necessary.
Use Keywords and Phrases
Incorporate keywords from the job description throughout your CV, especially in the summary, skills, and experience sections.
Showcase Transferable Skills
Highlight skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, especially if changing industries.
Remove Irrelevant Details
De-emphasize or omit experiences that do not directly relate to the job you're applying for.
What Recruiters and Employers Look For
Relevant Experience and Achievements
Recruiters want to see experience that matches the job requirements, with clear evidence of your contributions and results.
Education and Certifications
List relevant degrees, certifications, and training, especially those required or preferred in the job description.
Attention to Detail and Professionalism
A well-formatted, error-free CV reflects your professionalism and care.
Personality and Cultural Fit
Employers often look for a personal profile and extracurricular activities to assess your fit with the organization's culture.
Sector-Specific CV Tips
Sales & Marketing
What to Emphasize:
Achievements, client relationships, revenue growth
Specific Tips:
Quantify sales results, highlight client relationships, include professional photo if relevant
IT & Technology
What to Emphasize:
Technical skills, certifications, projects, programming languages
Specific Tips:
List all relevant technologies, detail your role in projects, mention certifications
Healthcare
What to Emphasize:
Empathy, patient care, certifications, teamwork
Specific Tips:
Highlight soft skills, list relevant licenses, emphasize teamwork
Education
What to Emphasize:
Teaching methods, curriculum development, student engagement
Specific Tips:
Detail teaching experience, mention extra roles like mentoring, highlight student outcomes
Research & Academia
What to Emphasize:
Publications, research projects, methodologies, grants
Specific Tips:
Include publications section, detail research impact, list grants and collaborations
Administration
What to Emphasize:
Organization, accuracy, software proficiency, client contact
Specific Tips:
List software skills, highlight organizational achievements, quantify efficiency improvements
Creative & Design
What to Emphasize:
Portfolio, creative projects, software skills, innovation
Specific Tips:
Add portfolio link, use visually appealing layout, showcase creative problem-solving
Construction & Engineering
What to Emphasize:
Certifications, safety, technical skills, project experience
Specific Tips:
List relevant certifications, describe project roles, emphasize safety record
Hospitality & Tourism
What to Emphasize:
Customer service, stress management, language skills, flexibility
Specific Tips:
List languages, highlight customer-facing experience, mention relevant certificates
Non-Profit & Third Sector
What to Emphasize:
Mission alignment, volunteer work, fundraising, teamwork
Specific Tips:
Emphasize passion for cause, include volunteer experience, quantify fundraising results
Academic CVs vs. Industry CVs
Academic CVs
- Focus on research, publications, teaching, grants, and academic achievements
- No strict page limit; structure and detail are more important
- Include detailed sections for publications, research projects, and methodologies
- Emphasize academic collaborations and institutional affiliations
Industry CVs
- Emphasize practical skills, achievements, and business impact
- Keep it concise (1–2 pages), focus on results
- Use industry-specific keywords and terminology
- Highlight quantifiable achievements and business outcomes
Additional Practical Tips
Maintain a Master CV
Keep a comprehensive document with all your experience and achievements. Customize a version for each application.
Use Professional Format
Choose a clear, readable font (10–12 pt), consistent formatting, and sufficient white space.
Save as PDF
This preserves your formatting when sending your CV electronically.
Seek Feedback
Ask a career advisor or someone in your field to review your CV for clarity and relevance.
References to Literature and Research
This guide is based on evidence-based research from leading universities and career services organizations, including:
Ready to create your professional CV?
Use our AI-powered CV builder to create a stunning, tailored resume that follows these best practices.
Start Building Your CV