CV Advice That Actually Gets You Noticed

Here's something that might sting a bit: hiring managers and Creative Directors spend about 8 to 10 seconds looking at your CV. That's it. Less time than it takes to make a cup of tea.

So your CV needs to work fast. It needs to be easy to read, immediately clear, and interesting enough that they actually keep reading instead of moving on to the next one.

I've reviewed hundreds of CVs over the years and heard feedback from some of London's top Creative Directors and hiring managers. Here's what actually matters.

Start With the Basics

Your name and contact details need to be at the top. I know this sounds ridiculously obvious, but you'd be amazed how many CVs I've received with no name or no phone number. If a hiring manager is in a rush and can't immediately see how to reach you, your CV goes in the bin. Don't let that be you.

And please, no pictures of yourself. Just don't.

List Your Skills, Don't Rank Them

It's great to show all the software and skills you've picked up over the years, but don't rank them with little bar charts or percentages. You might think you're being helpful, but often you're just underselling yourself. List them clearly and let your experience speak for itself.

Nobody Cares About Your Grades

Unless you've just graduated and got a first or a 2:1, leave your grades off. Seriously. Don't list your final uni grade if it's a 2:2 or below, don't list individual module grades, and if you're past junior level, don't bother with GCSEs or A-Levels at all. Your work experience is what matters now.

Keep It Tight

Junior to midweight? One page. Senior to team lead or associate? Two pages maximum. Your most recent role should have the most detail because that's what's most relevant. As you go back in time, the descriptions should get shorter and more concise. Only include responsibilities or projects that actually matter for the role you're applying for.

If you're padding your CV to fill space, you're doing it wrong.

Make It Look Good, But Keep It Readable

By all means, use colours and typography that reflect your personality and design style. But keep it professional and clean. If someone has to squint or work hard to read it, you've lost them. Remember, you've got 8 to 10 seconds. Make them count.

Your Words Matter

Avoid clichés like "team player" and "hard-working." Everyone says that. Instead, show those traits through your actual experience. What did you do that demonstrates you work well with others? What projects did you deliver that prove you're dedicated? Let your work speak instead of relying on tired phrases.

Hobbies Should Add Something

If you're going to list interests, make sure they're either relevant to the role or genuinely interesting. "Watching TV" is not a hobby. Neither is "socialising." If you've got nothing that adds to your story, just leave that section off entirely.

Proofread Until Your Eyes Hurt

Then get someone else to proofread it too. A parent, a friend, a flatmate, anyone. Typos and grammatical errors make you look careless, and that's not the impression you want to give. If you don't have anyone to ask, use Grammarly or another tool. Just make sure it's clean before you send it.

Don't Leave Unexplained Gaps

An unexplained gap on your CV looks worse than the actual reason for the gap. If you took time out to travel, do volunteer work, deal with health issues, or handle family matters, just say so. Keep it short and sweet. You don't need to give details you're uncomfortable sharing, but acknowledge it. It shows you're upfront and honest, which matters.

Tailor It Every Single Time

This is the one that separates people who get interviews from people who don't. If you're applying for a hospitality design position, your CV should highlight hospitality work. If you're going for a retail role, focus on retail experience. Don't send the same generic CV to every job and hope something sticks.

Hiring managers can tell when you've actually read the brief and tailored your application, and they really appreciate it.

The Bottom Line

Your CV is your first impression, and you don't get a second chance at it. Make it clean, make it clear, make it relevant. Show them quickly why they should care, and give them a reason to pick up the phone and call you.

If you're not getting responses and you're wondering whether your CV is the problem, I'm always happy to take a look. Sometimes it's just one or two tweaks that make all the difference.

Need a second pair of eyes on your CV? Want to make sure it's actually working for you? Get in touch. I'd love to help.