CV Writing Tips That Actually Get Interviews (UK Guide)

What a CV is for (and what it’s not)

A CV is a tool to secure an interview, not the job itself.

The National Careers Service emphasises that your CV should be tailored to each position, highlighting skills and experience that match what the employer is looking for. It’s not a comprehensive record of everything you’ve done, nor is it a document you write once and send everywhere.

Think of it as your greatest hits, not your complete discography. Every line should answer the question: “Why should we interview this person for this specific role?”

CV writing tips: choosing the right format

There are three main CV formats, and choosing the wrong one can undermine strong experience.

The chronological CV lists your work history starting with your most recent role and working backwards. This is the standard format in the UK and works best when you have consistent employment in your field.

The Civil Service recommends including paid work, volunteering, and relevant experience from education or hobbies.

A skills-based CV groups your experience by skill type rather than job title. Use this format only if you’re changing careers, returning to work after a gap, or have diverse experience that doesn’t tell a clear story chronologically. Recruiters can find this format harder to follow, so use it sparingly.

A hybrid CV combines both approaches, typically featuring a skills summary at the top followed by chronological work history. This works well when you want to emphasise transferable skills whilst still showing a clear career progression.

What recruiters look for in 10 seconds

Recruiters spend seconds scanning each CV before deciding whether to read further. They’re looking for your most recent role, relevant skills, and whether your experience matches the job requirements.

Oxford University Careers Service recommends making your CV easy to scan with clear font (10-11pt), blank spaces, and reasonable margins. Use simple language and avoid jargon or unexplained acronyms. Your personal profile and most recent role get the most attention, so these sections must immediately demonstrate relevance.

CV writing tips for tailoring to job adverts

Tailoring doesn’t mean rewriting your entire CV for every application. The National Careers Service suggests reading the job advert carefully and highlighting skills you have that match what they’ve asked for. This improves your chances of getting an interview.

• Identify 5-8 key requirements from the job description.
• Adjust your personal profile to reflect the type of role and sector.
• Reorder bullet points so the most relevant achievements appear first.
• Use similar language to the job advert naturally to match keywords.

How ATS systems work and what you need to know

Applicant Tracking Systems scan and store CVs digitally before a person reads them.

Lancaster University reports that 70% of large UK companies and 20% of small to mid-sized businesses use ATS technology.

CIPD notes that regardless of how you apply, your CV will likely go through a machine before reaching the hiring manager. Include keywords naturally, use standard section headers, avoid complex formatting, and proofread carefully.

CV writing tips: writing achievements instead of duties

Show impact, not just tasks. Use action words and the SAR formula: Situation, Action, Result.

Weak: Responsible for design projects

Strong: Led design and implementation of hydraulic system for manufacturing line, reducing downtime by 25% and saving £50,000 annually.

Weak: Worked on product development

Strong: Redesigned gear assembly using CAD and FEA, reducing material costs by 15% and improving load capacity by 20%, now standard across product range.

How to write a strong CV personal profile

Your personal profile summarises who you are professionally in 3-4 sentences. Tailor it to the job, avoid clichés.

Template: [Job title] with [number] years’ experience in [industry]. Skilled in [skills]. Track record of [achievement]. Seeking [role] where I can [contribution].

Common CV mistakes and how to fix them

• Proofread for spelling and grammar errors
• Use a professional email
• Tailor CV to job description
• Use standard section headers
• Keep to UK CV conventions: max 2 pages, no photo, no personal info like age or marital status

When cover letters actually matter

Include a cover letter if requested or beneficial, especially for career changes or gaps. Keep it one page and specific to the role.

UK specific CV expectations

Two pages is standard, one page for entry-level, three for senior roles if highly relevant. References: “available upon request.” Include professional contact info and optionally LinkedIn.

Quick checklist before you send

1. Proofread for spelling and grammar
2. Professional email
3. Tailor personal profile
4. Include keywords from job description
5. Use standard headers
6. Reverse chronological experience
7. Focus on achievements with numbers
8. Remove age, date of birth, marital status, nationality, photo
9. Keep to 2 pages
10. Clear font (10-11pt Arial/Calibri)
11. Save as PDF or Word
12. Professional file name
13. Accurate dates
14. Current contact details
15. Include cover letter if needed

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