Writing an Effective CV or Resume

Decide one- or two-page format based on experience

Use one page for under ~10 years; two pages for senior roles or extensive relevant experience.

Choose reverse-chronological layout for work history

List your most recent role first and include job title, company, and dates.

Write a concise professional summary or headline

Keep it 2–3 lines with role, years of experience, and top strengths.

Curate a focused skills section with role-relevant hard skills

Prioritize tools, technologies, and core competencies the job asks for.

Quantify achievements with metrics and outcomes

Add numbers, percentages, timelines, or dollar impact to each key bullet.

Write achievement-focused bullet points starting with action verbs

Use verbs like 'Led', 'Improved', 'Reduced' and keep bullets concise.

Tailor the resume for each application by mirroring job keywords

Match phrasing and required skills from the job description naturally.

Optimize for ATS by using standard headings and role titles

Avoid images, complex tables, and unusual fonts; use clear section names.

Keep formatting clean and consistent

Choose a legible font (10–12pt), consistent spacing, and simple bullets.

Use consistent date formats and concise company descriptions

Format dates uniformly (e.g., Jun 2018 – Aug 2021) and summarize roles in 1–2 lines.

Remove irrelevant, outdated, or low-value entries

Omit roles older than 10–15 years unless directly relevant to the target role.

Include education and relevant certifications with dates

List degrees, institutions, and recent certifications that support the role.

Proofread for spelling, grammar, and formatting consistency

Read aloud and verify names, numbers, and verbs for tense consistency.

Run automated spelling and grammar checks

Use tools like spellcheck and grammar apps to catch common errors.

Get a second pair of eyes to review clarity and impact

Ask a mentor or peer to check for clarity, relevance, and typos.

Export to PDF, name the file professionally, and test layout

Save as 'FirstName_LastName_Role.pdf' and open to confirm spacing and links.