A simple guide to writing a clear, confident CV#
A strong CV has always been important, but in today’s competitive job market it carries even more weight. With high volumes of applications and increased competition for many roles, employers need to understand your experience quickly.
A clear, well-structured CV will help you stand out for the right reasons. Not because it is overly designed, but because it presents your skills and experience in a straightforward and professional way.
Before you start writing, think about who will be reading your CV. It may be a recruiter, an HR coordinator or a hiring manager. In some cases, your CV may also be scanned by an applicant tracking system, commonly known as an ATS.
An ATS will read your CV in a very simple way, focusing on text, dates and headings. They do not read images, columns, graphics or complex layouts, so a clean and simple structure helps ensure your CV is read properly.
Here is how to create a CV that presents you at your best and supports your next career move.
1. Know your audience and what they will be looking for#
Different people read CVs in different ways.
Recruiters and hiring managers may initially scan for suitability, then look for capability, progression and clarity. HR teams may look closely at structure, accuracy and how well your experience aligns with the role. In all cases, clarity creates confidence.
“A clear, well structured CV instantly helps an employer understand who you are and what you bring. You do not need a complicated design. You just need to make your experience easy to follow.”
Sharon Ellis, MD, The Recruitment Consultancy
A CV that is clean and well organised supports both the human reader and any screening systems used along the way.
2. Create a clear, chronological structure#
Choose the right CV format#
Most candidates use a chronological format because it is the clearest and easiest for employers to follow. It shows how your career has developed over time and highlights your most recent experience first.
A skills-based or functional CV can work for people with limited experience or significant employment gaps, but it is less familiar to many employers and can sometimes raise questions. A combination format blends both approaches, although it can feel busy if not structured carefully.
A simple chronological CV is usually the most effective and employer-friendly choice. It helps the reader see how your career has developed and what level you are working at.
Your CV should be written in reverse chronological order, with your most recent role first and then work backwards. Your most recent role should carry the most detail, as it shows your current responsibilities and the level at which you work.
What to include at the top of your CV#
The opening section shapes the reader’s first impression and should include:
- Your personal and contact details
- A short personal summary
- Key skills that match the type of roles you are aiming for
- Your most recent job title
- Relevant qualifications or systems experience
Make your contact information clear#
Place your contact details at the top of your CV so employers can reach you quickly. A mobile number, email address and general location are usually enough. A full home address is not essential.
If you have a well-maintained LinkedIn profile, include the link. Many employers and recruiters use LinkedIn alongside your CV to get a fuller sense of your experience.
Should you use a side column?#
Side columns can look neat, but may cause issues in screening systems. A single-column layout is the safest choice and you can still position your key skills towards the top, as long as they sit within the main body of the document.
3. How to describe your role confidently and professionally#
A well-written role description helps employers understand your working environment, what you do each day and the difference you make. Keeping a simple structure makes this easier.
Start with a summary of the organisation#
This helps the reader understand the type of environment you work in.
Explain the purpose of your role#
A sentence or two explaining why your job exists and what it supports.
Describe your responsibilities clearly#
Choose responsibilities that show the work you do day to day, the systems you use and the skills you apply. Keep it practical, relevant and action-based.
Use job descriptions as a guide, not a template#
If you are unsure how to phrase certain aspects of your role, it can be helpful to look at job descriptions for similar positions on job boards or company websites. The aim is not to copy the text, but to understand the type of language and structure employers use.
Start with your own experience. Write down what you do each day, what you are responsible for, and which parts of the job you enjoy or would like to continue doing in your next role. Once you have that, reading a few job descriptions for similar roles can help you find clearer wording or remind you of responsibilities that are worth including.
Use this only as a guide to improve clarity and structure. Your CV should always reflect your own experience and strengths. Employers can usually tell when a CV has been copied from a job description, and it can make your application feel less genuine.
Tailor your CV to the role#
Once your CV has a strong structure, adjust the wording so it reflects the role you are applying for. This does not mean rewriting your whole CV, but emphasising the parts of your experience that are most relevant to the job.
Use wording from the job description where it genuinely matches your background. This helps the employer understand your suitability quickly and can also support any screening systems that check for relevant keywords.
Highlight the difference you make#
One or two achievements or contributions help the employer understand the value you add.
A practical example based on a Sales Administrator role#
Sales Administrator
ABC Company, Surrey
August 2022 to present
About the organisation:
Fast-growing distribution business known for high-quality products, strong customer service and international operations.
Purpose of the role:
Supporting the sales and logistics teams by managing the full order cycle and maintaining accurate information across CRM, ERP and order management systems.
Key responsibilities:
- Managing the order process from receipt through to dispatch using CRM and order management platforms
- Coordinating shipping, customs requirements and export documentation, working with freight systems and delivery partners
- Maintaining accurate order, stock and shipment records across internal systems, including CRM, ERP and shared databases
- Preparing reports, invoices and supporting documents using Microsoft Office, including Excel
- Working with internal teams and suppliers to support timely fulfilment and clear communication
- Providing administrative and system-based support, including order tracking and status updates
Key contributions:
- Improved the accuracy of order information during a period of system upgrades and increased order volumes by X%
- Strengthened communication between sales and logistics by refining the order handover and tracking process
4. How to explain gaps in your CV positively#
Gaps in employment are more common than many people realise. Time out for caring responsibilities, health reasons, study, redundancy or travel is normal. A gap only becomes a concern when it is not explained.
A short explanation is enough. For example:
- Career break to care for a family member.
- Time out to complete professional training.
- Temporary work while exploring longer-term career options.
A simple explanation helps the reader stay focused on your experience rather than the gap.
5. Keep your CV clean, simple and screening-friendly#
Many employers use screening systems that cannot read complex layouts. Avoid columns, graphics, images or text boxes, as these can cause parts of your CV to be missed.
What works well#
- Clear headings
- One-column layout
- Consistent bullet points
- Standard fonts such as Arial or Calibri
- No images or decorative elements
Useful resource#
This provides helpful guidance on how to create an ATS-friendly CV:
Additional CV tips and guidance#
Qualifications and schooling#
Include qualifications that support the type of role you want. If you have several years of work experience, keep this section brief and focus on relevant or recent training. If you are early in your career, include your highest level of education along with any relevant subjects or achievements.
Interests#
Interests can help add a sense of personality, but choose them carefully. Pick activities that show positive qualities such as commitment, teamwork or learning. Keep this section short.
References#
You do not need to list referee contact details. A simple line such as “References available on request” is enough and keeps your CV focused.
Driving licence#
If you have one and it is relevant to the role, or the business is in a location that is not easy to get to, it is a good idea to put this towards the top of your CV. If it’s not so relevant, this can go towards the end.
How long should your CV be?#
Most CVs should be one to two pages long. If you are early in your career, one page is usually enough. If you have more experience, two pages can work well, as long as the content is relevant and clearly presented.
Employers tend to skim rather than read every word, so keep your layout simple and avoid unnecessary detail or long paragraphs.
If you have little or no work experience#
You can still create a strong CV by focusing on voluntary work, school or college projects, part-time roles and transferable skills. Avoid overly used phrases such as “team player” or “hard-working”. Instead, show what you did, what you learned and what strengths you can bring to a role.
Using AI tools sensibly#
AI tools can help you check the structure, clarity and formatting of your CV, but they should support your writing rather than replace it. A CV should always reflect your own experience and the way you work.
AI can help check spelling, improve clarity or remind you of points you may have missed, but make sure the final wording sounds like you. Employers want to understand who you are, not what an automated tool can generate.
Common CV mistakes to avoid#
-
-
- Unclear dates or unexplained gaps
- Long paragraphs that feel difficult to read
- Personal statements that are too long or vague
- Listing every role with the same level of detail
- Complex or decorative layouts
- Inconsistent formatting or spacing
- Overused or generic statements
- SPELLING MISTAKES and bad use of grammar – check, check and check again (see below!)
-
Proofread your CV carefully#
Before sending your CV, take the time to read it carefully and check spelling, grammar and spacing. Small errors can distract the reader and affect how your CV is perceived.
Reading your CV out loud, printing a copy or asking someone you trust to review it can make it easier to spot mistakes you might miss on screen. A clear, accurate CV always creates a stronger impression.
Where to go next#
If you are thinking about your next step, our candidate page is a great place to explore. It shows how we work and includes our latest vacancies, although not every role we recruit for appears online.
If a job catches your eye, or if you would like us to consider you for other opportunities across Surrey or Sussex, you are welcome to apply or send your CV directly to our Guildford or Worthing teams.
