A robot will probably read your CV before the hiring manager does. Now that CV scanning software is becoming commonplace, you’ll need to make it through the screening stage before you can impress a potential employer.
Your best chance of success is a well-written CV with enough strategy to please the bots and enough personality to engage an employer.
Get an example of how to write a CV, plus a job application CV template to help get you started.
How to write a good CV: the core components of a winning resumé
Formatting and length
Good CVs are easy to read and don’t put added friction between the hiring manager and your key career highlights. We recommend avoiding long paragraphs or large walls of text. Instead, use bullet points and avoid overloading each section with too much detail.
It’s also a good idea to keep your CV fairly short. For junior and intermediate roles, two sides of A4 is more than sufficient. Senior roles may need a little more detail, and employers expect anything up to three sides of A4. The ideal file format is a PDF, so don’t forget to export your CV when you’ve finished writing and checking it.
Logical flow
Knowing how to write a CV for a job application relies on your ability to prioritise crucial information over the ‘nice to haves’. Here’s the logical flow most successful CVs follow:
1) Personal information
Your personal information should be the first thing a potential employer sees when they look at your CV, so ensure your full name and contact details are at the very top of the page.
2) Personal statement
A short, punchy personal statement can help an employer get to know you before they read your qualifications and experience. Write four or five lines detailing your career aspirations and the value you’ll bring to the role. This helps set the context for the rest of the information on your CV and makes you stand out.
3) Work history and qualifications
Start with your current role and work backwards, being sure to include details on any gaps in your CV. Employers will be looking for information on your responsibilities, qualifications, and specific KPIs you achieved.
4) Interests
Cultural fit is vital for a long and happy tenure with a new employer. Give a glimpse into your personal life by using the interests section of your CV to snapshot some of the things that interest you outside of work.
5) References
Round out your CV with two or three references your interviewer can contact after your meeting. Include names, contact details, and job positions for each referee you’ve noted (don’t forget to ask their permission first).
Check (and double-check) your spelling, grammar, and punctuation
According to new research, more than 62% of UK CVs contain at least one spelling error. Sending a CV littered with basic errors can work against you, especially if you’re applying for a role where good communication or close attention to detail are essential skills.
Before you save and send your CV, run it through software like Grammarly or get a friend or relative to read it. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
How to make it past AI screening software
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software designed to help recruiters filter, sort, and track job applications. It scans incoming CVs for specific keywords to help isolate the candidates best suited to a role.
For example, the software will scan incoming CVs for the skills and qualifications an employer has outlined in the job description. CVs with all or most keyword terms will go to the top of the pile, and those without may go to the bottom.
You’ll need to use keyword strategy in your CV to ensure your application goes to the top of the pile. You can tailor your CV by going back through the job description and searching for the ‘must have’ skills and qualifications. You’ll need to bring these into your CV when discussing your skills, achievements, and responsibilities.
Although keywords can get your CV through the door, an employer still needs to read and understand it! So don’t be tempted to keyword stuff — your ability to make a human connection with the employer is still a crucial part of getting called for an interview.
James Johnson (executive vice president and chief technology officer at Robert Half) recently explained to ITWC how Robert Half invested in AI-powered matching technology built for ‘Fit, Engagement, and Progress’.
James shared how the tech is specifically optimised to “take someone’s resumé apart, remove the context, focusing instead on words or groups of words, and by doing that also remove bias”.
As a candidate in this circumstance, you benefit from job AI matching tech that doesn’t capture demographic data, writing styles, or your education. Instead, it has developed a proprietary natural processing language (NLP), so it keeps improving itself. As a result, your matches get better and better, and with it, your chances of success.
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Let our proprietary AI quickly match you with the types of jobs you’re looking for. Try Robert Half's AI matching technology today. Add your latest CV to get AI matched with open positions.
CV template example
Our recruitment experts have drawn up a job application CV template to help you on the road to job interview success. To use it, just input your details into the template, check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation, then save as a PDF.
[Your name]
[Contact number]
[Email address]
Personal statement
[Write a personal statement that outlines your current role and responsibilities. Share details on your career goals and motivations, plus information on recent career achievements or KPIs.]
Skills and achievements
- Write a short bullet point list of the key skills and achievements you’ve accumulated in your career.
- For better success, match them to the job description of the role you’re applying for.
Work history
Most recent/current job title, Company name
(Start date – end date)
- A short bullet point list of the key achievements and responsibilities in this role.
Job title, Company name
(Start date – end date)
- A short bullet point list of the key achievements and responsibilities in this role.
Job title, Company name
(Start date – end date)
- A short bullet point list of the key achievements and responsibilities in this role.
Education
[Name of university or higher education facility]
(Enrolment date – graduation date)
- A short bullet point list of the grades/qualifications attained
[Name of college or school]
(Enrolment date – graduation date)
- A short bullet point list of the grades/qualifications attained
Personal interests
Write one short paragraph about your interests and hobbies. Try to keep these brief and use your discretion about what may or may not be appropriate to include!
Now you know how to write a winning CV that will get you through the door and into the interview chair. Once you have your CV written up, put it to good use — upload it to the Robert Half website or search for your next opportunity and apply with confidence. For more information on writing a CV or cover letter, visit our CV & Cover Letter Advice page today.
