Tools and templates to help you

At Search, we work with 6,000+ businesses across the UK and have uncovered what makes a great CV in today’s job market.

Ensure it’s easy to read 

Recruiters and hiring managers are often busy and have hundreds of CVs to filter through. Stick to a simple and consistent design that incorporates the following:

• Headings, subheadings and bullet points to format sections
• Lighter and darker tones to emphasise important information
• Infographics or charts to demonstrate experience or performance (if appropriate for your industry)
• Columns to help make content more digestible
• Focus on your key skills - look at the job description for the skills an employer is looking for, and add bullet points in your experience which show how you meet them.

Write a tailored personal statement

Go beyond your experience. Do some research into what a business stands for and how it operates, and tell them how you’re a great cultural fit.

Add keywords to your CV

Job boards, recruiters and hiring managers use keyword screening tools to identify relevant candidates. Research which ones are most relevant to the job you are applying for and incorporate them into your CV, applications and cover letters.

Look at the language a company uses

Study their tone of voice, goals and values, then weave elements into your CV.

Use a colour scheme that reflects your industry

For professional services, stick to a dark or muted colour scheme. Whereas, for a technology or creative industry, show your personality with perhaps a more colourful palette.

In this article Jonathan Javier, who previously worked for Google, breaks down his CV step-by-step and shares some useful tips on what makes a good resume.