Your CV should help an employer understand what you do, the experience you bring and why it is relevant to their vacancy.
You do not need to describe every task you have ever completed. Focus on information that helps a recruiter or hiring manager assess your suitability.
Make your contact details easy to find
Include your name, professional email address, telephone number and current city and country. Add a LinkedIn profile or portfolio link if it is current and relevant.
If you are applying from overseas, make your location clear and indicate whether you are open to relocation. You can also include your notice period or availability where useful.
Avoid adding identification numbers, bank details or copies of personal documents to your CV.
Write a specific professional summary
Use a short opening paragraph to describe your experience and the type of work you specialise in.
For example, a construction professional might highlight project delivery, fit-out experience and contractor coordination. A fintech candidate might emphasise trading operations, reconciliations or platform support.
Avoid filling this section with broad descriptions such as “hardworking professional seeking a challenging opportunity.” Give the reader information they can use.
Show your contribution in each role
List your experience in reverse chronological order, with clear job titles, employer names and dates.
For each position, explain the scope of your work and include selected achievements. Where accurate and shareable, use figures to add context.
Compare these examples:
“Responsible for monthly reporting.”
“Prepared monthly reporting for four business units and introduced a standard template for departmental submissions.”
The second gives a clearer picture without relying on exaggerated claims.
Include relevant tools and qualifications
List systems, software, certifications and technical skills that relate to your target role.
Be honest about your level of experience. Using a system occasionally is different from implementing it, administering it or training others.
Include professional qualifications and relevant education, making the status clear if a course or certification is still in progress.
Tailor the emphasis
Read the vacancy carefully and identify the responsibilities that match your background. Bring relevant experience forward using language you can confidently explain in an interview.
This does not mean changing your history. It means making the strongest connections easier to see.
Check clarity before sending
Use straightforward headings, consistent formatting and readable text. Check dates, spelling, contact details and links. Follow the employer’s requested file format where one is specified.
A clear CV gives the reader a useful starting point for a conversation about your experience.
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