5 Things That Employers Expect To See In Your CV

I recently received a call from a job seeker who was frustrated by the endless job applications that had hit a dead end.

“I have sent out CVs to many companies and I am not getting any responses,” he said. After a quick look at his CV, it was clear his achievements were overshadowed in the descriptions therefore his skills could not stand out.

So I walked him through some simple changes and advised him to streamline the skills.  It only took a few adjustments and his CV was that which employers couldn’t ignore.

If you’re struggling like him, let’s dive into the 5 things every employer expects to see in your CV;

1. A Well Crafted Career Profile

Recruiters receive hundreds of CVs from applicants for each role, so yours needs to stand out from the crowd right away. The best place to start standing out is with a sharp, to-the-point career profile at the top.

This should be a short 2–3-line pitch about who you are professionally and what you have to offer the employer. Avoid long paragraphs – get straight to your strongest relevant selling points up front.

An example of an effective personal profile might be: “Business Development Executive with 5+ years proven track record delivering strong pipeline growth through strategic partnerships. Expertise developing bespoke solutions across diverse industry sectors.”

A compelling career profile is the number one thing recruiters look  and itsets the tone and allows them to immediately see your value from the start. .

2. Quantifiable achievements and results

Employers want to see concrete evidence of your impact and success in previous roles, not just vague descriptions of duties.

Think about major projects you delivered on time and under budget, key clients or contracts won, productivity or efficiency gains achieved through your work, and numerical targets surpassed.

Quantify your achievements wherever possible using percentages, dollar values, or hard metrics. Providing evidence of your ability to add tangible value through data will make you stand out compared to candidates who only offer bullet-pointed responsibilities.

3. Relevant skills and expertise

Employers know the job requirements inside out, so guide them to exactly how you match up through clear skills-based sections. Group your skills by technical, soft, and industry-specific skills, and tailor them directly to the job description keywords.

Use powerful action verbs like “Streamlined”, “Expanded”, and “Orchestrated” and consider including your proficiency level for each skill on a scale. Highlighting your most relevant skills upfront helps recruiters easily assess fit for the role.

4. Professional Formatting

While content matters most, presentation affects whether a recruiter bothers to read your content in the first place. Use a simple, uncluttered layout in an easy-to-read font like Arial or Calibri.

Keep it to one or no more than two pages and utilize consistent headings in bold. Bullet point information rather than paragraphs of dense text wherever possible.

Recruiters are usually busy, so give them a CV that is clean, scannable, and comfortable on the eyes.

5. Tailored Document

Finally, recruiters look for relevant examples that resonate with that they are looking fore

While the above points cover big-picture information, compelling samples showcase your personality, soft skills, and problem-solving approach.

Go through the job description to understand the needs of the employer, and the relevant keywords used then connect with your qualifications 

Give specific numbers, metrics, timeframes, and outcomes from your examples whenever possible. Examples add dimension beyond just a list of responsibilities and make a positive lasting impression on the reader.

Conclusion

When writing a CV, it’s important to include your qualifications, education, and experience. However, what sets exceptional CVs apart is the attention to detail. A well-crafted CV that includes all these elements will capture the recruiter’s attention and increase your chances of landing an interview.

If you’re struggling with formatting, marketing your qualifications and experience, or tailoring your CV to appeal to recruiters, consider seeking help from our professional CV writing service.