How to write a killer CV

One way to think about looking for any new job is on the same lines as marketing a new product. This time you are the product and your CV is a marketing brochure featuring you as the main item for sale. Just like any marketing literature that you may receive in the post. If its going to catch your attention it must be crystal clear about the 'functions and features' that you are offering and the 'benefit' that you would bring any company that will be willing to employ you. In other words, it should have a format, content and appearance that accurately reflects you, your responsibilities and work qualifications.

Inundated with job seekers, companies have to quickly screen candidate CVs with the average CV often being scanned in 20 seconds or less. The screeners of these CVs are often looking for specific skills that link you directly with the role on offer. if those key skills are not immediately obvious, you run the risk of having your CV eliminted for consideration.


Your CV is one of the most important documents you'll produce and takes some time to get right. It's an evolving document that should be updated regularly and acts as your personal marketing summary.

The CV is your main marketing tool in approaching recruiters, individuals or organisations. It should reflect what you want and should reflect your Ideal Work Preferences (IWP's). Your CV will reflect to the reader the elements of your previous work history to demonstrate that you 'can' do the job/task/work in hand. You should be comfortable with the material contained in your CV to also reflect what you 'want' or 'will' be prepared to do again.

Just because it is a historical document you do not have to include those elements you disliked or are not prepared to do again. You should be prepared to possibly modify your thinking on what you are prepared to do again depending upon how your CV and personal profile is received in the market place. Any need for later reflection or modification will also depend upon your personal circumstances, which are obviously different for each individual.


In Stuck for Words, you will find a list of action verbs to assist you in forming the short 'bullet' statements for your CV. The short 'bullet' statements should be short and concise.

Try to be clear but brief. Ideally each 'bullet' statement should be one to two lines long when typed up and inserted in your CV. If the statements contained against each job/position are any longer they are unlikely to be read - or if read the reader is only likely to read the first 6 to 12 words and so the full emphasis needs to be placed early in your 'bullet' statements.

You need to be comfortable with all that is contained within your CV - never allow anyone to write it for you - you will have to address and speak about every statement made from your own experience and background. One thing to always consider here though is that you do need to take ownership of situations and activities in your previous working lives (you cannot be seen only as the 'onlooker' but you must be seen, if possible, as the 'participator' and 'doer').