Resume & CV Guidance

Start with clarity, not decoration

Hiring managers often review a document quickly on the first pass. A clean structure, consistent formatting and a clear order of information do more for you than colours or graphics.

• Use a simple, readable font and consistent spacing.
• Put your name, contact details and professional headline at the top.
• Keep to one or two pages unless your field expects otherwise.
• Save and share your document as a PDF unless asked for another format.

Lead with a short professional summary

Two to four lines near the top can frame who you are professionally: your field, your level of experience and the kind of work you are moving toward. Write it for the direction you want, not just the roles you have held.

Describe experience in terms of contribution

For each role, go beyond the job title. Explain what you were responsible for, what you worked on and what changed because of your work. Where you can, be specific about scope.

• Start bullet points with an action: led, built, coordinated, analysed, improved.
• Mention outcomes when you have them, and be honest about them.
• Include relevant projects, internships or volunteer work if they show useful skills.

Make skills and education easy to find

• Group technical and professional skills in a dedicated section.
• List qualifications with the institution and completion year.
• Add certifications or training that relate to your career direction.

Tailor it to your direction

A resume that tries to cover every possible path often communicates none of them. Emphasise the experience and skills that support where you are heading next, and keep the rest concise.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Unexplained gaps in dates with no context.
• Long paragraphs instead of scannable points.
• Spelling or formatting inconsistencies.
• Outdated contact details or an unprofessional email address.
• Claims that cannot be supported in an interview.