Write a Clear CV
Eighteen easy tips to write a clear CV, so employers understand you quickly and want to meet you.
Clear and short. One page tells your story.
25 tips that really help
These ideas come from What Color Is Your Parachute? (Richard Bolles), Designing Your Life (Bill Burnett and Dave Evans), The 2-Hour Job Search (Steve Dalton), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.
Why clarity matters
Employers read many CVs quickly. A clear one page CV helps them see your fit in seconds.
Tidy yours.
Use a simple layout
Use clean fonts, plenty of space and clear headings. Fancy layouts are hard to read.
Pick simple.
Put your contact details at the top
Add your name, email, phone and city. Make it easy to reach you.
Add contacts.
Write a short summary
Two or three lines on who you are and what you offer. Keep it plain.
Write two lines.
List your jobs with results
Start each point with an action word and show a result. Results are more interesting than duties.
Add results.
Use numbers where you can
Numbers such as saved ten hours or served fifty customers make claims real.
Add numbers.
Match your skills to the job
Use words from the job ad. It helps both humans and software.
Match words.
Check spelling and tidy
Mistakes hurt trust. Ask a friend to read it too.
Proofread.
Script: summary
Friendly support specialist with five years of experience helping customers solve problems calmly. Write it simply.
Use it.
Script: result line
Reduced waiting time by twenty percent by creating a simple help guide. Write it clearly.
Use it.
Script: skills line
Skills: clear writing, customer care, scheduling and teamwork. Write it plainly.
Use it.
Mistake: using a long CV
Long CVs get skipped, so aim for one or two pages.
Cut it.
Mistake: using a fancy design
Fancy designs confuse software, so keep it simple.
Keep simple.
Troubleshoot: when you have little experience
Add projects, volunteering and skills. Show what you can do.
Add projects.
Troubleshoot: when you have gaps
Explain briefly and honestly, such as caring for family or study. Move on to strengths.
Be honest.
Drill: rewrite one job section
Rewrite one job with three result-focused bullet points.
Rewrite it.
Drill: get feedback
Ask two friends to read your CV and tell you what stood out.
Ask two.
Put your best points at the top
Readers decide in seconds. Place your strongest results on the first half page.
Move your best line.
Use plain fonts and simple headings
Clear headings help readers and software. Avoid fancy fonts.
Use one font.
Cut anything older than fifteen years
Old jobs matter less. Keep the CV fresh and short.
Trim old roles.
Include links to your work
Add one link to a portfolio or profile. Proof helps.
Add a link.
Example: the ten-second test
Ask a friend to look at your CV for ten seconds and tell you what they remember.
Run the test.
Example: the results line
I cut waiting time by twenty percent is stronger than I handled customers.
Rewrite a line.
Mistake: writing I in every line
Start with action verbs like built, taught, saved. It reads cleaner.
Change three lines.
Troubleshoot: when you have too many jobs
Group short jobs under one heading and highlight the best results.
Group them.
Easy things to say
When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many networking and career moments.
“My name and contact are at the top.”
“A short summary tells who I am.”
“My roles show my results.”
“My skills match the job.”
“My education is simple.”
“My CV is easy to read.”
Your first week
One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.
Choose a template
Write a summary
List roles
Add results
Add skills
Check spelling
Ask for feedback
Further reading
- What Color Is Your Parachute? (Richard Bolles)
- Designing Your Life (Bill Burnett and Dave Evans)
- The 2-Hour Job Search (Steve Dalton)
The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
More lessons in “Finding the Job You Want”
Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.
← Previous: Research Roles and CompaniesNext: Write a Cover Letter That Gets Read →
- Find Your Strengths and Interests
- Describe Your Ideal Job
- Research Roles and Companies
- Write a Clear CV
- Write a Cover Letter That Gets Read
- Polish Your Online Profile
- Use Your Network to Find Jobs
- Talk to People in Jobs You Like
- Apply to Fewer Jobs, Better
- Handle Rejection in a Job Search
- Keep a Weekly Job-Search Plan
- Look After Your Energy
