Writing a CV or Resume

What is a CV or Résumé?

In simple terms, your CV or résumé sets out your skills and experience. In the modern job market, however, it must do more than list your history; it must serve as a high-impact marketing document that proves your value to both human recruiters and AI-driven screening algorithms.

Your CV should demonstrate why you are the best solution to an employer’s specific problem. In practice, many candidates fail by focusing on their past duties rather than their future potential. This guide sets out the 'dos' and 'don'ts' of modern CV writing to help you stand out in a competitive, tech-driven landscape.

Technically a CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a detailed document outlining all of your life achievements, qualifications, associations, awards and skills. Curriculum Vitae means 'course of life' in Latin.

A résumé (spelt résumé, with accents, in its technical form), is a more concise document; an abbreviated version of your CV that focuses on specific skills and achievements, usually in relation and relevant to an employment opportunity.

However, for the sake of this page the terms CV and résumé are interchangeable.

In the UK and Ireland, job applicants are usually required to produce a CV whereas in the US and Canada the word résumé is more frequently used.

In India, Australia and other English speaking counties either term may be used – for the purpose of applying for a job CVs and résumés are the same thing, it just depends on where the job is!

This page sets out some of the 'dos' and 'don'ts' of CV writing to help you avoid some of the worst pitfalls and prepare a résumé that will stand out from the crowd for all the right reasons.

Things You Should Do When Writing a CV

Include your contact details at the top

Start with your name, address, phone number and email address. If your CV runs to more than one page, then make sure you include an identifier on every page, probably as a header or footer, and page numbers.
Decide whether you want to start with a personal statement

This is optional, although many CV-writing companies recommend it. If you decide to include one, it needs to say something real about you, and not just be an anodyne statement that could apply to anyone. Try to avoid jargon such as 'forward-thinking' or 'strategic' and use this to showcase your strengths, if possible focused on action.
Include sections on Key Skills, Knowledge and Achievements, Work Experience, and Education

Precisely how much to include in each section depends on the sector to which you are applying. Start with the most recent achievement, experience or training, and work backwards in each section.
Quantify Your Impact

Recruiters look for "Impact Metrics" rather than "Task Lists." Your statements should follow the problem-solving formula: "Achieved [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]."

For example:
- "Reduced departmental overheads by 15% (£x) within six months by conducting a cross-functional waste audit and renegotiating supplier contracts."
- "Increased team output by 20% through the implementation of asynchronous communication protocols and digital project management tools."
Concentrate on the measurable value you brought to the role and how that success translates to your next position.

Include everything relevant in 'Work Experience' and 'Education'

Once you've got plenty of work experience, it's OK not to include the paper round you had when you were 16, but you don't want any gaps once you've started work. If you've taken a career break or had a period out of work after redundancy, say so. Otherwise, it may be assumed your time was spent unproductively.
Make sure that your spelling and grammar are all correct

Many employers bin any CVs with spelling or grammatical errors. Look at our pages on Grammar and Spelling, use your computer's spell-check function, and get someone else to proof-read it before you send it.
Optimise for Digital Readability and ATS

While your CV should look professional when printed, its primary "reader" will likely be an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Use a clean, sans-serif font like Arial, Calibri, or Roboto. Avoid complex graphics, tables, or placing vital info in headers and footers, as these can confuse AI scanners. Use clear headings and standard bullet points. Save your file as a PDF unless the employer specifically requests a Word document, ensuring the text remains searchable and the formatting locked.
Provide Evidence Through a Digital Footprint

If your industry allows, include links to your professional portfolio, GitHub, or industry-specific profiles. This provides immediate proof of your technical communication skills and creative output. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and consistent with your CV, as 90% of recruiters will cross-reference your digital presence before inviting you to an interview.

The Skills You Need Guide to Jobs and Careers - Getting a Job

CV Mistakes and Pitfalls to Avoid

Do not be tempted to lie

You will be found out sooner or later and, if a lie has got you a job, it will lose you one too.
Avoid leaving gaps in your career history

Even if a temporary job doesn't fit your planned career, show what you learned from it: teamwork or time-keeping, perhaps. Large gaps in your CV look like you've sat around doing nothing instead of having the initiative to find work.
Do not start your CV with the dull bits

Start with your key skills and what you've actually achieved in life. If potential employers like your key skills, then they'll read on to your qualifications.
Do not include your hobbies and interests

Unless they have developed skills that are relevant to the job, nobody really needs to know your hobbies. If you do include something relevant, don't be tempted to show off; Murphy's Law says the person reading your CV will be an expert in that subject.
Don't make your CV too long

Two pages of A4 is plenty. Nobody wants to read more. By all means make the font smaller or widen the margins, but keep it to no more than two pages.
Do not use an unprofessional email address

Get a professional-looking email address with your name. Nicknames or jokey addresses may cause your CV to be rejected. Be careful with email addresses linked to social media; it is very easy for employers to find out more about you than you would like. You should instead focus on Managing Your Online Presence and Using LinkedIn Effectively.

Using AI to help write your CV

Using generative AI—whether a generic algorithm like ChatGPT or a specific one like Scriberly—can speed up the process of creating a CV. However, you need to be sure that your use of AI is both appropriate and ethical.

It is reasonable to use AI to identify gaps in how you have presented your skills by comparing your CV with a job description; but
It is not ethical or appropriate to use AI to exaggerate your skills and experience in any way.

There is more about this in our page on the use of AI in job applications.

Conclusion: The Golden Rule

The more automated the recruitment process becomes, the more valuable your unique "human" skills become. Put yourself in the recruiter's shoes: they are looking for a candidate who is not just technically competent, but who possesses the empathy, cultural intelligence, and adaptability that technology cannot replicate.

Use your CV to tell a coherent story of growth and impact. By aligning your career management skills with the needs of the employer, you ensure that your résumé is a persuasive argument for your future potential. A well-crafted document will not get you the job on its own, but it will give you the essential foot in the door.

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