Crafting the perfect CV: Do’s and Don’ts for job seekers

As we welcome a brand-new year, we understand that many professionals feel motivated to pursue new opportunities, setting the tone for a successful year ahead. With months of potential ahead, now is the time to fine-tune your CV, align it with current tech trends, and prepare for new career ventures.

At Corecom Consulting, we specialise in helping you navigate the job market, offering expert guidance for your job search and career progression in 2025. Whether you’re aiming for a career pivot or seeking new challenges, a polished CV will set you up for success.

To help you make a lasting impression on potential employers, here are some valuable do’s and don’ts for crafting the perfect CV from Principle Consultant, Mahanoor Shahzad.

✅ Do’s: 

1. Clear structure: Organise your CV with distinct sections such as Contact Information, Summary, Work Experience, Education, and Skills to ensure readability and easy navigation.
2. Tailored content: Customise your CV for each job application by highlighting the most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that align with the specific job description.
3. Quantify achievements: Use metrics to showcase your impact and accomplishments, as numbers can help to demonstrate your contributions effectively.
4. Keywords: Incorporate industry-specific keywords to help your CV pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and get noticed by recruiters / employers.
5. Showcase skills: Highlight both technical and soft skills, providing concrete examples of how you’ve applied them in previous roles.
6. Include Action Verbs: Start bullet points with strong action verbs to describe your responsibilities and achievements. This adds impact to your CV.

❌ Don’ts: 

1. Irrelevant details: Exclude unrelated hobbies or personal information unless they’re directly relevant to the job you’re applying for. 
2. Excessive length: Keep your CV concise; ideally, it should be no longer than three pages. Focus on presenting relevant information clearly. 
3. Generic language: Avoid using generic phrases like “hard-working” or “team player.” Instead, provide specific examples that demonstrate your attributes. 
4. Spelling and grammar mistakes: Proofread your CV thoroughly to eliminate any typos or errors. Attention to detail matters.
5. Unprofessional email: Use a professional email address for correspondence. An address like “firstname.lastname@email.com” is much more suitable than a casual one. 
6. Negative language: Maintain a positive tone throughout your CV. Avoid negative language when discussing past employers or experiences. 
7. Inconsistent dates: Ensure that your employment dates and educational timeline are accurate and consistent.

As you embark on your job search journey, remember that your CV plays a crucial role in shaping employers’ perceptions of you. By following these do’s and avoiding these don’ts, you’ll be well on your way to presenting yourself in the best possible light. Your dream job could be just around the corner, and your perfectly crafted CV will help you stand out and seize the opportunity.

Feel free to send your CV to me via email to see if I can help – and good luck! 

Mahanoor Shazad – m.shazad@corecomconsulting.co.uk