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CV Do’s and Don’ts: Your Quick Guide to Standing Out

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CV Do’s and Don’ts: Your Quick Guide to Standing Out

Your CV is the key to unlocking that all-important interview. It’s not your autobiography, and it’s not just a list of responsibilities — it’s your personal marketing document. Done well, it opens doors. Done badly, it shuts them before you even get a foot in.

Whether you’re updating your CV after years, or tailoring it for a specific role, here are some essential do’s and don’ts to keep you on track:

✅ CV Do’s

1. Explain employment gaps up front
If there’s a gap in your employment history, address it briefly and honestly in your cover letter. Avoid leaving the reader guessing.

2. Make it personal – to you
Your CV should reflect your achievements, not your team’s or your company’s. What you did, what you delivered, and how you made a difference.

3. Write a strong, keyword-rich professional summary
Leave out pronouns like “I” or “we”. Focus on high-impact keywords that reflect the job you’re targeting — this helps both recruiters and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) understand your value quickly.

4. Tailor every time
Customise your summary, skills, and even your cover letter to the specific job you’re applying for. A one-size-fits-all CV won’t cut it anymore.

5. Use bullet points, not paragraphs
Recruiters scan CVs quickly — bullet points make your experience easier to digest. And remember, that recruiter might also be the hiring decision-maker.

6. Be ready to back it up
If it’s on your CV, you should be able to talk about it confidently. If you can’t explain it in detail, it shouldn’t be there.

7. Cover letter = Why you’re right for the job
Your cover letter should focus on why you’re a great match for the role — not just repeat your CV in paragraph form.

8. Use figures to show impact
Metrics add credibility. Instead of saying you “led a team”, say you “led a team of 15 and delivered a £1.2M project three months ahead of schedule”. Numbers provide context and show the scale of your contribution.

❌ CV Don’ts

1. No pronouns in your CV
“I”, “me”, “we” – save these for your cover letter. Your CV should read like a professional profile, not a personal statement.

2. Don’t make it all about the company
Avoid vague corporate achievements. Focus on what you were directly accountable for — not what the company achieved as a whole.

3. Don’t send the same CV everywhere
An untailored CV won’t pass ATS filters and will likely land in the “no” pile. Adapt it every time.

4. Keep it to two pages
Long CVs are harder to read and rarely get read in full. Two pages is the sweet spot — clean, focused, and impactful.

5. Avoid fancy designs and colours
A flashy template won’t win you interviews. Stick to simple, professional formatting — let your achievements do the talking.

6. Don’t use vague or generic phrases
Phrases like “huge team” or “biggest budget” don’t mean much. Be specific: “Managed a team of 35 across three regions” or “Oversaw a £5M marketing budget” gives real insight.

Final Thought

Your CV is your ticket to an interview. It’s not War and Peace — it should be punchy, clear, and designed to spark interest and invite questions. Think of it as your opening pitch, not the full story.

There’s more to cover, of course — but these tips are a great starting point.

Want expert eyes on your CV?
Send it my way and I’ll give you honest, no-obligation feedback. If you’d like to explore working together from there, we can have a chat.

✅ Check out my 5⭐️ reviews here: johnloganbmc.co.uk/case-studies

For expert CV writing services, contact John Logan today: 📞 07368 997806
📧 john@johnloganbmc.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnloganbmc/

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5*     April 2025

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