CV Writing Tips That Actually Get Interviews (UK Guide)

Your CV has one job: to get you an interview.

It’s not a complete career history, a personal biography, or a list of every task you’ve ever done.

According to the Oxford University Careers Service, your CV is a targeted marketing document designed to make recruiters want to meet you.

This guide walks through practical CV writing tips that work in the UK job market, backed by advice from the National Careers Service, leading universities, and recruitment professionals.

What a CV is for (and what it’s not)

A CV is a tool to secure an interview, not the job itself.

The National Careers Service emphasises that your CV should be tailored to each position, highlighting skills and experience that match what the employer is looking for. It’s not a comprehensive record of everything you’ve done, nor is it a document you write once and send everywhere.

Think of it as your greatest hits, not your complete discography.

Every line should answer the question: “Why should we interview this person for this specific role?”

CV writing tips: choosing the right format

There are three main CV formats, and choosing the wrong one can undermine strong experience.

The chronological CV lists your work history starting with your most recent role and working backwards.

This is the standard format in the UK and works best when you have consistent employment in your field.

The Civil Service recommends including paid work, volunteering, and relevant experience from education or hobbies.

A skills-based CV groups your experience by skill type rather than job title. Use this format only if you’re changing careers, returning to work after a gap, or have diverse experience that doesn’t tell a clear story chronologically. Recruiters can find this format harder to follow, so use it sparingly.

A hybrid CV combines both approaches, typically featuring a skills summary at the top followed by chronological work history.

This works well when you want to emphasise transferable skills whilst still showing a clear career progression.

What recruiters look for in 10 seconds

Recruiters spend seconds scanning each CV before deciding whether to read further.

They’re looking for your most recent role, relevant skills, and whether your experience matches the job requirements.

Oxford University Careers Service recommends making your CV easy to scan with clear font (10-11pt), blank spaces, and reasonable margins. Use simple language and avoid jargon or unexplained acronyms.

Your personal profile and most recent role get the most attention, so these sections must immediately demonstrate relevance.

If a recruiter can’t see why you’re suitable within 10 seconds, your CV risks being passed over.

CV writing tips for tailoring to job adverts

Tailoring doesn’t mean rewriting your entire CV for every application.

The National Careers Service suggests reading the job advert carefully and highlighting skills you have that match what they’ve asked for. This improves your chances of getting an interview.

Start by identifying 5-8 key requirements from the job description.

Adjust your personal profile to reflect the type of role and sector. Reorder your bullet points so the most relevant achievements appear first. Use similar language to the job advert where it’s natural to do so.

For example, if they mention “stakeholder management,” use that phrase rather than “liaising with clients.” This helps both human recruiters and ATS systems identify you as a match.

How ATS systems work and what you need to know

Applicant Tracking Systems scan and store CVs digitally before a person reads them.

Lancaster University reports that 70% of large UK companies and 20% of small to mid-sized businesses use ATS technology. Recruiters then search these databases using keywords to create shortlists.

To pass ATS screening, use standard section headers like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills” that the software recognises.

CIPD notes that regardless of how you apply, your CV will likely go through a machine before reaching the hiring manager. Include keywords from the job description naturally throughout your CV.

Avoid complex formatting like tables, text boxes, headers, footers, or graphics that ATS may not read correctly. Save your CV as a Word document or PDF, depending on what the employer requests. Proofread carefully, as spelling mistakes can confuse ATS systems.

Don’t game the system by stuffing keywords or using white text. ATS software is sophisticated, and recruiters will spot keyword stuffing when they read your CV.

CV writing tips: writing achievements instead of duties

One of the most common CV mistakes is listing responsibilities instead of showing impact. Recruiters want to know what you achieved, not just what you were supposed to do.

Kent University Careers Service recommends talking about skills gained more than tasks completed, using action words like “developed,” “planned,” and “organised.”

Use the SAR formula: Situation, Action, Result. Here’s how it works:

Weak: Responsible for design projects

Strong: Led design and implementation of hydraulic system for manufacturing line, reducing downtime by 25% and saving £50,000 annually in maintenance costs

Weak: Worked on product development

Strong: Redesigned gear assembly component using CAD and FEA, reducing material costs by 15% whilst improving load capacity by 20%, now standard across product range

Even without hard numbers, you can show impact: “Streamlined the invoicing process, reducing processing time and improving accuracy” or “Trained 4 new team members who all passed probation successfully.”

How to write a strong CV personal profile

Your personal profile sits at the top of your CV and summarises who you are professionally in 3-4 sentences.

Kent University advises avoiding clichés like “hard-working and reliable” or generic lists. Instead, be specific and tailor it to the job.

Template for mid-level professional:

[Job title] with [number] years’ experience in [industry/field]. Skilled in [2-3 relevant skills from job description]. Track record of [key achievement or strength]. Currently seeking [type of role] where I can [what you’ll bring/achieve].

Example:

Mechanical Engineer with 4 years’ experience in manufacturing and product development. Skilled in CAD design, finite element analysis, and project management. Track record of reducing production costs by 18% through design optimisation and leading cross-functional teams on new product launches. Currently seeking an engineering role in an innovative manufacturing environment where I can apply technical expertise to solve complex design challenges.

Tailor this profile for each application by switching out the skills, achievements, and role type to match what the employer wants.

Common CV mistakes and how to fix them

Barclays LifeSkills identifies spelling and grammar errors as instant red flags that signal poor attention to detail. Proofread multiple times and ask someone else to review your CV before sending.

Other common mistakes include unprofessional fonts or colours (stick to Arial, Calibri, or similar in black), unoriginal personal profiles that sound like everyone else’s, and listing every job you’ve ever had regardless of relevance.

Jobs.ac.uk warns against using an unprofessional email address. Create a simple address based on your name, not “partygirl89” or “football_fanatic.”

Failing to tailor your CV is perhaps the biggest mistake. A generic CV rarely makes it past initial screening because recruiters want to see that you’ve read the job description and understand what’s needed.

When cover letters actually matter

Whether you need a cover letter depends entirely on what the employer requests.

If they ask for one, you must include it, or your application will be rejected for not following instructions. If they specifically say not to send one, don’t. If they don’t mention it either way, include one to stand out.

Cover letters are particularly valuable when changing careers, as they let you explain why you’re moving and highlight transferable skills. They’re also useful when you need to address something not obvious from your CV, such as an employment gap or relocation.

Keep cover letters to one page, and focus on why you want this specific role and what you’ll bring to it, rather than repeating your entire CV.

UK specific CV expectations

UK CVs have specific conventions that differ from other countries.

The National Careers Service states clearly that you should not include your age, date of birth, marital status, or nationality. Unlike in some European countries, do not include a photograph on a UK CV unless you’re applying for a role where appearance is a genuine occupational requirement, such as acting or modelling.

Two pages is standard for UK CVs, according to Edinburgh University Careers Service.

Entry-level candidates can use one page if they have limited experience, whilst senior professionals may extend to three pages only if the content is highly relevant.

More than three pages is rarely justified.

For references, simply state “References available upon request” rather than listing names and contact details.

Employers will ask for references if they want to make an offer. Include your name, phone number, email address, and optionally a LinkedIn profile link in your contact details.

Quick checklist before you send

Before sending your CV, work through this checklist to catch common issues:

1. Proofread for spelling and grammar errors
2. Check your email address is professional
3. Tailor personal profile to the specific role
4. Include keywords from the job description
5. Use standard section headers (Work Experience, Education, Skills)
6. List experience in reverse chronological order
7. Focus on achievements with numbers where possible
8. Remove age, date of birth, marital status, nationality, and photo
9. Keep to two pages for most roles
10. Use clear, readable font (10-11pt Arial or Calibri)
11. Save as PDF or Word document as requested
12. File name should be professional: “FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf”
13. Check all dates are accurate and consistent
14. Ensure contact details are current
15. Include a cover letter if requested or beneficial

Ready to put your CV to work?

Now that you’ve polished your CV using these tips, it’s time to put it in front of recruiters who are actively hiring.

Upload your CV with Astute today and we’ll match you with relevant opportunities across engineering, technical, and professional sectors.

Our team reviews every application and will contact you when roles align with your skills and career goals. No generic job alerts, just opportunities that fit.