1. Have a Strong and Solid Start

The hardest part of writing your CV is starting it off and figuring out what you are going to write about when it comes to your personal statement/opening paragraph.

Use this part of your CV to establish your most important and notable achievements, accomplishments, contributions, testimonials, etc.

Remember: this is your sales pitch and like any good pitch, don’t go on for too long!

Referring to figures in your opening statement is always a good thing! For example, quoting years of experience, project budgets you’ve achieved or savings your actions/contributions made the customer; this would be the ideal time to focus on this within your CV.

2. Highlight Results

Every CV that a recruiter/hiring manager encounters will list a handful of responsibilities that potential employees had at their previous jobs.

While highlighting responsibilities is important, it’s not going to make you stand out.

Where you want to focus is on the results you were able to achieve at your last job.

Therefore, include factual data on your CV to back up the things you have accomplished.

When writing your CV, it is not the time to be humble. You want to brag about your achievements as well as talk about what these achievements mean to you. You can also go over how they benefited the company.

When highlighting these results, use bullet points rather than paragraphs to help them stand out.

3. Include Power Words

By including specific power words, you help your CV stand out because you are fully emphasising all of your accomplishments.

The power words you want to include depend on what the job description has stated or alluded to.

The power words you will want to use should focus on the soft skills and key points highlighted by the employer.

For example, if the job description mentions a candidate with ‘good customer service skills’, the keywords you’d take would be customer service, communication, and teamwork.

Using the same language the employer uses puts you in a stronger position. Work these words into your descriptions of previous positions and include results to prove your capabilities.

Some recruiters use software or AI to filter CVs. If your CV lacks specific keywords, it may be rejected before a recruiter even sees it.

In technical industries, demonstrate your expertise by referencing required skills. For example, a WordPress Developer should highlight experience with PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, jQuery, etc.

Tailor your CV to the role by matching the key skills in the job description. Bullet point them and address each point directly to gain an edge over other candidates.

Don’t be discouraged if you’re missing some skills. Most companies don’t expect a “perfect” candidate—show willingness to learn and build from your foundation.

4. Mention Personal Growth and Changes

Yes, the CV is about obtaining a specific job, but you also need to focus on personal development. Keep it job-related, not hobbies like yoga classes.

Show how you’ve grown in different roles, what you’ve learned, and how you continue to improve. Performance reviews are a great place to find evidence of growth and skills.

5. Show Off Your Expertise

Demonstrate industry knowledge throughout your CV. This shows recruiters you understand the sector, making you more attractive.

Stay updated on trends—it helps in interviews too. For example: “Project Manager with 5 years of experience managing large budget projects and working with high-level clients in various industries.”

Also mention internships or early roles that shaped your career path.

6. Highlight Any Network Connections

Contractors often ask whether to include salary expectations in their CV. From experience, leaving it out works better.

When you omit salary expectations, employers focus on your expertise instead of filtering based on numbers. At Lucid, recruiters confirm salary expectations directly before submitting CVs to clients, making it unnecessary—and sometimes harmful—to include rates in your CV.

7. Express Your Uniqueness

Don’t leave your best-selling points for the cover letter—recruiters may not read it. Include unique points in your CV.

Answer: “Why do you want this job, and why are you qualified?” early in your CV, referencing skills listed in the advert.

8. Pay Attention to the Structure

Recruiters read many CVs daily, and structure helps yours stand out. Treat it like an introduction—make it clear and concise.

Include contact details at the top. Only include your address if it’s advantageous, like being local to the job.

9. Customise the CV for the Position You Want

Write your CV as if responding directly to the job description. Tailor past accomplishments to the new role. Customisation takes time but increases your chances of success.

10. Proofread and Then Proofread Again

Typos make a bad impression. Use tools like Grammarly, but don’t blindly accept corrections. Re-read your CV multiple times, and if possible, ask someone else to check it before sending.