How to Write a CV That Gets Noticed

In my years working alongside directors, recruiters, and business owners, I’ve seen hundreds of CVs — and I’ve learned exactly how to write a CV that gets noticed, trusted, and remembered.

CV stands for curriculum vitae, a Latin phrase meaning “the course of your life.”And that’s exactly what it should be — not just a document, but a clear, confident story of who you are, what you’ve achieved, and where you’re going next.

In my years working alongside directors, recruiters, and business owners, I’ve seen hundreds of CVs — the polished, the rushed, and the ones that truly stood out. The difference was never in fancy design or perfect grammar. It was in clarity, confidence, and connection.

A great CV doesn’t just tell someone that you’ve worked — it shows them why you’re worth meeting.

What Your CV Really Is — How to Write a CV That Reflects You

Think of your CV as a snapshot of your story — your professional highlight reel.It’s not a full autobiography, but it should make someone want to know more.

It’s your:

• First impression before you even meet the interviewer

• Handshake on paper — professional but human

• Silent ambassador that works for you, even while you’re sleeping

  
  

1. Start with a Strong Summary

Your personal profile or summary sits at the top — make it count.This is your headline, not your history. Keep it to three to five lines that say:

• Who you are professionally

• What kind of roles you’re targeting

• What makes you different

Example:

Organised, proactive, and creative Executive Assistant with 10+ years of experience supporting C-level teams in construction, design, and operations. Passionate about bringing structure, calm, and efficiency to every project I touch.

2. Highlight Achievements, Not Just Duties

Anyone can list what they did. Few people show what they achieved.

Instead of saying:

Managed client schedules and meetings.

Say:

Coordinated a busy executive diary, reducing scheduling conflicts by 80% and improving client response times.

Tip: Use action verbs — led, created, streamlined, delivered, implemented.

3. Keep the Layout Clean

You don’t need flashy templates — clarity wins.

• Stick to one font (two at most)

• Use consistent spacing and simple alignment

• Keep it to two pages maximum (unless academic)

• Save as a PDF to preserve formatting

• Name it clearly, for example: Joanna-Moran-CV.pdf

Design note: Use subtle headings, spacing, and white space to make reading effortless. A clean CV signals a clear mind.

4. Tailor It to the Role

Never send the same CV everywhere. A few strategic edits can make all the difference.

• Match key phrases from the job description

• Emphasise relevant experience first

• Mention the company or industry to show focus

Think of it as your project brief — design your CV for your next success story.

5. Show Personality (Professionally)

A short line about your approach or working style can make you memorable.

Known for turning chaos into structure.Thrives in fast-paced creative teams.Driven by systems, structure, and a smile.

Recruiters want people, not robots. A small human detail can make your CV stand out in a stack of similar ones.

6. Include Only What Adds Value

Skip what doesn’t serve your story:

• “References available upon request”

• Irrelevant hobbies

• Jobs older than 15 years (unless crucial)

• Full address or photo (unless required)

Focus on what’s relevant today.

7. End with Quiet Confidence

Your CV should close with the same energy it began — calm, grounded, and sure of itself.

Every experience I’ve had has built the structure I work with today — organised, thoughtful, and ready to support the next chapter.

Final Thought

Your CV isn’t just a list of jobs — it’s your professional story, written with intention.Keep it concise, honest, and true to who you are right now.

Remember, curriculum vitae means “the course of your life.”Let it grow, evolve, and reflect your milestones — one chapter at a time.

Notes from this Chapter

• CV = curriculum vitae — “the course of your life”

• Keep it short, clear, and story-driven

• Lead with achievements, not duties

• Show your human side

• Tailor every version — one role at a time

With care,