Should I include a photo on my CV?

It depends on the country. Photos are commonly left off in the US and UK, but they are often included in parts of Europe and the Gulf. Follow local norms and the employer's instructions.

How far back should my work history go?

Focus on roughly the last ten to fifteen years and on roles relevant to the job. Older or unrelated positions can be summarised in a line or left out.

Do I need a different CV for every job?

You do not need to rewrite it from scratch, but you should tailor the profile, the order of your skills and a few experience bullets to match each job advert.

How to Write a CV That Gets Interviews

Your CV is usually the first thing an employer sees, and often the only thing they look at before deciding whether to call you. Recruiters tend to scan a CV quickly, so a good one is not the longest or the most decorated. It is the one that makes it easy to see, within seconds, that you fit the role. This guide walks through a clear structure, what belongs in each section, and the mistakes that most often push a CV onto the 'no' pile.

3 min read

Start with a clean, predictable structure

Recruiters expect information in a familiar order. When they find what they are looking for without searching, they spend more time on your strengths and less time hunting for basics. A simple, single-column layout with clear headings also works better with the software many employers use to sort applications.

For most people, this order works well:

Contact details: name, phone, professional email, city and a LinkedIn or portfolio link
A short profile of two to four lines
Work experience, most recent first
Education, plus relevant training and certificates
Skills, grouped and relevant to the job
Optional extras: languages, volunteering or projects

Write a profile that answers 'why you?'

The profile sits at the top and sets the tone. Avoid vague phrases such as 'hard-working team player' that could describe anyone. Instead, state who you are professionally, what you are good at and what kind of role you are aiming for.

A useful pattern is: your role or field, your years or type of experience, two or three core strengths, and the value you bring. For example: 'Customer service specialist with three years in telecoms support, strong at resolving complaints on the first call and training new team members.' Adjust it for each application so it mirrors the job you are applying for.

Turn duties into achievements

The experience section is where many CVs fall flat. Listing duties ('responsible for reports') tells an employer what the job was, not how well you did it. Lead each bullet with a strong verb and, where you honestly can, show the result: time saved, errors reduced, customers served, a process improved.

Only use numbers you can explain in an interview. If you do not have exact figures, describe the outcome clearly instead, such as 'introduced a shared tracker that the whole team adopted'. Three to five bullets per role is usually enough, with more detail for recent and relevant jobs and less for older ones.

Show skills you can back up

A long list of skills is easy to write and easy to ignore. Pick the skills the job advert actually asks for and that you can demonstrate. Group them, for example into technical skills, tools and languages, so they are quick to scan.

Evidence makes skills more believable. Mention where you used a skill in your experience bullets, and add certificates or test results where they exist. You can take free skill tests on Talaskill and add the results to your CV as extra proof, for instance in Excel or written communication.

Common mistakes to avoid

Small errors can undo a strong background, because they suggest a lack of care. Before sending, read your CV slowly, ideally out loud, or ask someone you trust to check it.

Spelling and grammar errors, especially in your own job titles
Sending the same generic CV to every employer
Unexplained jargon or internal company abbreviations
Dense paragraphs instead of short, scannable bullets
Fancy graphics, tables or skill bars that confuse screening software
An unprofessional email address or out-of-date contact details

Length, format and final checks

In the UK and much of Europe, two pages is a common standard for experienced candidates, while one page is often enough for students and early-career applicants. In the US, a one-page resume is widely preferred. Expectations differ by country and sector, so check what is usual where you are applying.

Save your CV as a PDF unless the employer asks for another format, and give the file a clear name such as 'Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf'. If you would rather not fight with formatting, an online CV builder or one of the ready-made CV templates can keep the layout clean and consistent while you focus on the content.

Common questions

Should I include a photo on my CV?: It depends on the country. Photos are commonly left off in the US and UK, but they are often included in parts of Europe and the Gulf. Follow local norms and the employer's instructions.
How far back should my work history go?: Focus on roughly the last ten to fifteen years and on roles relevant to the job. Older or unrelated positions can be summarised in a line or left out.
Do I need a different CV for every job?: You do not need to rewrite it from scratch, but you should tailor the profile, the order of your skills and a few experience bullets to match each job advert.