As recruiters, we review countless CVs every week, even in today’s AI-driven world. While digital profiles play a big role, your resume still carries significant weight in 2024. First impressions matter, and for many hiring managers and recruiters, this brief document is exactly that.
Here’s the truth... that quirky formatting you think makes you stand out? It’s actually just distracting. 😅 While a bit of flair can be cool for certain roles, the main caveat being in the creative industries, it's still crucial to keep things clear and up-to-date. Pro tip: If you want to showcase your flair, consider including a portfolio link as an extension while keeping the CV informative! 🎨
Here’s how to nail your CV formatting:
🖋 Keep it simple:
❌ Leave those fancy box formats back in 2016—trust us, they just mess with the flow!
📏 Length? 2-6 pages! If you've got the experience, don’t worry about squeezing everything into 2 pages. This is a general misconception), so just make sure it's relevant. For industry veterans (especially contractors with long project histories), going beyond 2 pages is totally justified and even preferred.
📝 What to include:
Header: Full name, job title, contact info (phone, email, LinkedIn), and a note about your work preference (remote or onsite).
Summary: Keep it concise and tailored to the role you're after. If you want an AEM position, shout it out. If you've rocked a popular tech stack like AEP, highlight that too. Be clear if you're only open to contract roles.
Skills: Reflect your recent experience and align with the job you're chasing. It’s handy to mention how long you’ve worked with certain tech or how many projects you've done with it.
Education & Qualifications: Highest degree and any relevant, current certifications. (Sorry, that cert from 5 years ago might not cut it anymore.)
Languages: If you’re multilingual, flex it! Include your proficiency level (native, C2, etc.).
Work Experience: The heart of your CV. Recruiters often go straight here for key words (ctrl+F), so make it count:
Achievements & Hobbies: Achievements first, and hobbies second! But... this is where you can show your personality! 🎸 Play an instrument? Awesome, a lot of hiring managers love that. 🌍 Got selected to represent your company? Show them you go the extra mile.
📌 Final tip: Always have a version of your resume in MS Word or Google Docs ready to go. Editing a PDF can cause major formatting headaches 🤯
In short, focus on clear, concise, and relevant info- all killer, no filler!!
Happy CV writing and reach out to the team for our free templates.
