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The Best Resume Writing Tips: Your Ultimate Guide to Landing That Dream Job

Let’s be honest—writing a CV can feel about as enjoyable as a Monday morning meeting that could have been an email. But here’s the thing: your CV is often your first chance to make an impression on a potential employer, and in today’s competitive job market, you want it to be absolutely brilliant.

Whether you’re returning to work after a career break, eyeing a promotion, or ready to pivot into an entirely new field, having a polished, professional CV is non-negotiable. So grab a cuppa, and let’s transform your CV from “just fine” to absolutely fantastic.

Start with a Strong Foundation

Before you even begin typing, take a moment to gather your thoughts. A great CV isn’t just a list of everything you’ve ever done—it’s a strategic marketing document designed to sell you as the perfect candidate.

Know Your Audience

Think about who will be reading your CV. Recruitment managers often spend less than 30 seconds scanning each application, so every word needs to earn its place. Ask yourself:

What skills are most relevant to this role?
What problems can I help this company solve?
What makes me different from other candidates?

Choose the Right Format

There are three main CV formats to consider, and choosing the right one can make all the difference:

Reverse chronological is the most traditional and works brilliantly if you have a steady work history in the same field. It lists your experience from most recent backwards.

Functional focuses on skills rather than timeline—ideal if you’re changing careers or have gaps in your employment history.

Hybrid combines both approaches, highlighting key skills whilst still providing a work history. This is increasingly popular and works well for most situations.

Crafting Each Section with Care

The Personal Statement

Gone are the days of generic objectives like “seeking a challenging role.” Instead, craft a compelling personal statement that summarises who you are, what you bring to the table, and what you’re looking for—all in 3-4 powerful sentences.

Example: “Marketing specialist with 7 years’ experience driving brand growth for FTSE 100 companies. Passionate about data-driven campaigns that deliver measurable results. Seeking to leverage expertise in digital strategy and team leadership in a senior role.”

Experience That Tells a Story

When listing your work experience, don’t just describe your responsibilities—demonstrate your impact. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame your achievements.

Rather than writing “Managed social media accounts,” try something like “Grew Instagram following by 340% in 18 months through targeted content strategy, resulting in £50K in attributed sales.”

Numbers speak volumes. Wherever possible, quantify your achievements with percentages, pound signs, or concrete metrics.

Skills That Matter

Include a mix of hard skills (technical abilities, software proficiency, languages) and soft skills (communication, leadership, problem-solving). But here’s the trick—don’t just list them. Weave them throughout your CV with evidence.

Also, pay attention to keywords from the job description. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter CVs before a human ever sees them. Including relevant keywords helps ensure your CV makes it through these digital gatekeepers.

Design and Presentation Tips

Your CV’s appearance matters just as much as its content. A cluttered, hard-to-read document suggests disorganisation—not exactly the first impression you want to make.

Keep it clean: Use plenty of white space, consistent formatting, and a professional font like Calibri, Arial, or Garamond
Stick to two pages: Unless you’re in academia or a senior executive role, two pages is the standard
Use bullet points: They’re easier to scan than dense paragraphs
Save as PDF: This preserves your formatting across all devices
Ditch the photo: In the UK, photos aren’t expected and can actually bias recruiters

Tailor, Tailor, Tailor

We know it’s tempting to create one “master CV” and send it everywhere. But here’s the truth: a generic CV is far less likely to succeed than one tailored to each specific role.

This doesn’t mean rewriting everything from scratch. Instead:

Carefully read the job description and highlight key requirements
Reorder your bullet points to put the most relevant experience first
Adjust your personal statement to align with the company’s values
Include specific keywords and phrases from the job posting

Yes, it takes extra time. But when you’re competing against dozens (or hundreds) of other applicants, that extra effort can be the difference between landing an interview and being overlooked.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even the most experienced professionals make these errors. Here’s what to watch out for:

Typos and grammatical errors: These suggest carelessness. Proofread multiple times and ask a trusted friend to review it too
Lying or exaggerating: It’s not worth the risk. Be honest about your experience—you can always emphasise your willingness to learn
Including irrelevant information: Your GCSE in pottery or that summer job from 15 years ago probably isn’t relevant anymore
Using jargon: Not everyone reading your CV will understand industry-specific terms
Negative language: Focus on what you achieved, not why things didn’t work out

The Final Polish

Before hitting send, run through this final checklist:

Is your contact information current and professional? (No more sparklyprincess123 email addresses, please)
Have you included a link to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio if relevant?
Are your employment dates accurate?
Have you removed any personal details that could lead to discrimination (age, marital status, religion)?
Does it read well out loud? Try reading it aloud to catch awkward phrasing

Final Thoughts

Writing a brilliant CV isn’t about boasting—it’s about confidently presenting your authentic professional self. You’ve worked hard to build your skills and experience, and you deserve to showcase them properly.

Remember, your CV is a living document. Update it regularly, even when you’re not job hunting. That way, when your dream opportunity appears, you’re ready to seize it.

Now go forth and create something brilliant. You’ve got this, love.

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This article comes in at approximately 980 words and includes:

– **Engaging introduction** that hooks the reader with relatable language
– **Clear structure** with H2 and H3 headings for easy scanning
– **Practical advice** including the STAR method, CV formats, and tailoring tips
– **British English** throughout (CV, colour, organisation, etc.)
– **Conversational tone** with phrases like “grab a cuppa” and “you’ve got this, love”
– **Both bullet and numbered lists** for variety and readability
– **SEO-friendly** natural keyword usage (CV, resume, job application, career)
– **Actionable takeaways** readers can implement immediately
– **Encouraging conclusion** that empowers the reader