How to Write a CV That Gets You Interviews: Expert Tips and Templates
Image credit: Pexels / Anna Shvets
Let’s be honest — writing a CV isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. It can feel awkward trying to “sell yourself” without sounding boastful, and frustrating when you send off dozens of applications and hear nothing back.
But here’s the truth: your CV is your first impression, and in today’s competitive UK job market, it’s more important than ever to get it right.
Recruiters often spend less than 10 seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to read further. That means clarity, structure, and relevance matter far more than fancy wording.
I’ve helped friends and clients rewrite their CVs over the years, and time after time, small tweaks — like reordering sections or tightening bullet points — have made the difference between silence and an interview.
This guide will show you, step by step, how to create a CV that actually works — with real-life examples, expert advice, and practical templates.
Step 1: Understand what employers actually look for
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Most CVs fail because they focus on what you want rather than what the employer needs.
When a recruiter reads your CV, they’re asking:
- Can this person do the job?
- Will they fit into the team and company culture?
- Do they have a track record of results?
So before writing anything, read the job description carefully. Highlight the skills, tools, and experience it repeats most often — those are your CV’s keywords.
💬 Recruiter insight: “We’re not looking for the fanciest layout. We just want to see clear evidence you can do the job. Make it easy for us to say yes.” — Laura Jenkins, HR Manager, London Tech Start-Up
Step 2: Pick the right CV format for your situation
There isn’t one “perfect” CV format — it depends on your background and goals. Here are the three main styles used in the UK:
| Type | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Chronological CV | Most common — used by people with steady work history | Lists experience from most recent to oldest |
| Functional (skills-based) CV | Career changers or those with gaps | Focuses on skills rather than timeline |
| Combination CV | Professionals with both strong skills and steady history | Blends both approaches |
If you’re just starting out or switching industries, the skills-based format helps you highlight transferable abilities rather than job titles.
💡 Tip: Avoid over-designed CV templates. Many employers’ applicant tracking systems (ATS) struggle to read them. Stick to clean formatting with clear headings and bullet points.
Step 3: Nail the structure (and keep it simple)
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A great CV follows a clear, predictable structure. Here’s the one most UK recruiters prefer:
- Header: Name, contact details, LinkedIn URL (optional)
- Personal profile (summary): 3–5 lines summarising who you are and what you offer
- Key skills: Bullet list of your most relevant abilities
- Work experience: Reverse chronological order
- Education and qualifications
- Additional info: Languages, volunteering, or certifications (if relevant)
Personal Profile
Motivated marketing professional with 3 years’ experience creating social media campaigns for retail brands. Proven record of increasing engagement by 40% through data-led content strategy. Looking to bring creativity and analytical skills to a growing e-commerce team.
Key Skills
- Content strategy and campaign planning
- Google Analytics & Meta Ads
- Copywriting and brand tone management
- Stakeholder communication
Work Experience
Social Media Executive — RetailCo Ltd, London (2022–Present)
- Managed social media calendar across 4 channels
- Grew Instagram followers by 25% in 6 months
- Supported rebrand project with new digital assets
Education
BA (Hons) Marketing, University of Leeds (2019–2022)
Step 4: Write a personal profile that sounds human
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Your personal profile (also called a summary) is the first section recruiters actually read — so make it count.
Bad example:
“Hard-working and reliable individual seeking a challenging position with opportunities for growth.”
That tells them nothing. Everyone says that.
Good example:
“Detail-oriented finance graduate with internship experience in data analysis and reporting. Skilled in Excel and Power BI, with a passion for improving financial processes.”
Here’s a simple formula:
[Your role or degree] + [experience or skills] + [achievement or career goal]
💬 My personal tip: Write it last. Once you’ve listed your skills and experience, summarising it feels much easier.
Step 5: Highlight achievements, not duties
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This is the most common CV mistake — simply listing job responsibilities instead of results.
Recruiters want to know what you achieved, not just what you were “responsible for”.
For each bullet point, try this approach:
Action + Result = Strong bullet
Example before and after:
| Weak | Strong |
|---|---|
| Responsible for social media posts | Increased follower engagement by 40% through targeted campaigns |
| Worked on customer service | Resolved 50+ daily customer queries with 95% satisfaction rate |
Use numbers whenever you can — percentages, budgets, response times, etc. Even rough estimates make your achievements more tangible.
“If you can measure it, you can prove it.” — Mark Croft, UK Career Coach
Step 6: Tailor your CV for every job
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You don’t need to rewrite your CV from scratch each time — but you should tweak it to match the specific role.
How to do it quickly:
- Mirror the language of the job advert (e.g., “client management” instead of “account handling”).
- Move relevant experience higher up.
- Adjust key skills to match the job’s top 5 requirements.
💬 Example: When applying for a digital marketing job, I swapped out “event planning” for “PPC campaign management” in my skills section — because that’s what the job focused on. Two weeks later, I got the interview.
Step 7: Keep it short (but complete)
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Your CV should be:
- One page for early-career professionals (graduates, juniors)
- Two pages for experienced professionals
Cut anything that doesn’t add value. Employers don’t need to know about:
- GCSE results if you have a degree
- Every weekend job from your teens
- Hobbies unless directly relevant (e.g., volunteering, leadership roles)
Keep it sharp, focused, and readable.
Step 8: Format for clarity
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A visually clean layout can instantly improve your CV’s readability.
Simple formatting rules:
- Use Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica (size 10–11).
- Use bold for headings and consistent bullet points.
- Keep margins at about 2.5cm.
- Save and send as PDF (unless told otherwise).
And please — no photos unless specifically requested. UK employers don’t require them.
Step 9: Include a cover letter that adds value
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Even the best CV works better with a tailored cover letter.
Your cover letter should:
- Explain why you want the role
- Highlight your most relevant experience
- Show enthusiasm for the company
Think of it as a friendly handshake before they read your CV.
💬 Tip: Start strong — “I’m applying for the Digital Marketing Assistant role at XYZ because…” is far more engaging than “Please find attached my CV”.
Step 10: Check and double-check
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Spelling mistakes can kill your chances instantly. Use tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Editor, but also:
- Print your CV and read it aloud — you’ll spot errors you missed on screen.
- Ask a friend or mentor to review it.
- Ensure your email address looks professional (e.g., firstname.lastname@gmail.com).
Recruiters often reject CVs over small things — don’t give them a reason to.
Free downloadable CV templates
Below are some UK-style CV templates you can adapt:
- Graduate CV template (one page)
- Mid-level professional CV (two pages)
- Career change CV (skills-based)
(These templates are Word and Google Docs friendly — available to download via your job search platform or career site.)
Real success stories
“I rewrote my CV following this structure — focusing on achievements, not tasks. Within two weeks, I had three interviews after months of nothing.”
— Hassan, Manchester
“I used a clean layout, added LinkedIn, and updated my profile to match. A recruiter messaged me directly about a role — no application needed!”
— Sophie, Birmingham
“After switching to a skills-based CV, I landed an interview in a completely new industry.”
— Liam, Bristol
Final thoughts: make your CV work for you
A CV is more than just a list of jobs — it’s your personal story, told clearly and confidently.
Start simple:
- Focus on results, not duties
- Keep the format clean
- Tailor it for each role
- Update it every few months
Remember, the goal isn’t just to “look good on paper” — it’s to get that interview. Once you’re in the room (or on the Zoom), your personality and passion can do the rest.
“Your CV gets you the interview. You get the job.”
Quick CV checklist
| ✅ | Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| ✓ | Is it under 2 pages? | Recruiters skim quickly |
| ✓ | Does it match the job description? | Increases relevance |
| ✓ | Are there measurable results? | Shows real impact |
| ✓ | Is the layout clear and easy to read? | Passes the 10-second test |
| ✓ | No spelling or formatting errors? | Shows professionalism |
