Creating a Winning CV

Candidates often ask me to review their CV and provide feedback. The first thing I say is “Your CV is your personal sales pitch — so why whisper when you can wow”. Forget modesty for a moment. This is your highlight reel, not your diary.

📌 Tips to turn your CV into a conversation starter:
Lead with impact: “Managed a team” is fine. “Managed and led a focused, collaborative team that consistently delivered ahead of schedule” is better.

Quantify everything: Numbers speak louder than adjectives. “Increased win rate by 32%” instead of “significantly improved win rate.”

Tailor it: One-size-fits-all only works for ponchos. Customise your CV for each role and don’t forget to use keywords as some recruitment tools use AI to keyword match on CVs.

Keep it clean: No Comic Sans. No clutter. No clichés. Also, try and keep your CV to 3 pages, 4 at the most. Hiring Managers are not going to continue reading to page 7.

Show personality:  A touch of you makes your CV memorable. Start with a concise profile that highlights your strengths and style — but keep it polished and relevant to the role.

You’re not just applying — you’re advertising.

Make them want to buy you.

I would love to hear your thoughts — or any tips you swear by when pitching yourself for the next big opportunity. Please join the conversation here.

Written by Lisa Easthope