Tailoring Your CV

Tailor your CV for job applications with practical tips and strategies to boost your chances and enhance your job prospects.

The job market is brutal. Hundreds of people apply for the same role, and most of them submit generic, lifeless CVs that scream, “I just copied and pasted this.” Recruiters skim through them in seconds and move on.

If your CV is boring, it’s getting trashed.

But if you tailor it? Suddenly, you stand out. You’re no longer just another name in the pile—you’re someone who gets a second look. Here’s how to do it right.

Why a Tailored CV Wins Every Time

A customised CV isn’t just a fancy extra—it’s a necessity. Here’s why:

• You get noticed. Recruiters aren’t looking for the best candidate; they’re looking for the most relevant one. A tailored CV aligns with what they need.

• You look like you care. A generic CV screams laziness. A tailored one says, “I actually want this job.”

• You highlight what matters. Instead of dumping your entire career history, you showcase only what’s relevant. Less fluff, more impact.

Step 1: Read the Job Description Like a Detective

Most people glance at job descriptions. Don’t be like most people. Instead, dissect it. Highlight key skills, responsibilities, and requirements.

Pay attention to:

• Keywords. These are the specific terms the employer uses (like “project management” or “Python”). If they’re in the job post, they should be in your CV.

• Core responsibilities. Understand what they actually need, then match your experience to it.

Step 2: Rewrite Your Professional Summary (Like You Mean It)

Your summary is prime real estate. It’s the first thing recruiters see, so make it count.

A lazy summary:
"Experienced marketing professional seeking a challenging role in a dynamic company."

A tailored one:
"Digital marketing specialist with five years of experience in SEO, content marketing, and analytics. Proven ability to increase website traffic by 200%. Seeking to apply expertise to [Company Name]’s marketing team."

See the difference? One is vague. The other is specific and relevant.

Step 3: Prioritise Your Work Experience (Ditch the Fluff)

Not all your past jobs are relevant. Highlight what matters.

• Reorder strategically. If an older job is more relevant than your most recent one, put it higher on the list.

• Focus on achievements. Listing tasks is boring. Instead, showcase results.

  • Weak: “Managed social media accounts.”

  • Strong: “Grew Instagram following from 5K to 50K in six months, increasing engagement by 300%.”

Numbers speak louder than words. Use them.

Step 4: Match Your Skills to the Job (Yes, Literally)

Your skills section shouldn’t be a random list. It should mirror the job description.

• Use the same wording as the job post. If they say “data analysis,” don’t just write “analytics.” Use their exact language.

• Balance hard and soft skills. Sure, technical skills matter, but so do things like leadership and communication.

Example of a weak skills section:

✅ Microsoft Office
✅ Teamwork
✅ Communication

Example of a strong one:

✅ Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP)
✅ Digital marketing strategy (SEO, PPC, content creation)
✅ Team leadership (Managed a team of 10)

See the difference? One is vague. The other is powerful.

Step 5: Adjust Other Sections for Extra Punch

Depending on the role, you might need to tweak other sections.

• Certifications: If the job requires a certification, make it prominent.

• Projects: Have work that’s super relevant? Showcase it in its own section.

• Volunteer Work: Only include it if it’s related. Otherwise, it’s just filler.

Bonus: Make Tailoring Faster

Tailoring your CV doesn’t have to be painful. Try this:

• Create a “Master CV.” Store all your experiences, skills, and achievements in one document. Then, copy and tweak only what’s needed for each job.

• Use a template that’s easy to edit. Fancy designs can be a nightmare to adjust. Keep it simple.

• Save different versions. If you apply to multiple industries, create versions for each.

What Not to Do (Common Mistakes)

Even the best intentions can go wrong. Avoid these mistakes:

🚫 Being too generic. If your CV could apply to any job, it’s useless.

🚫 Messing up the format. If it’s hard to read, recruiters won’t bother. Keep it clean.

🚫 Ignoring soft skills. Employers value communication, teamwork, and leadership—don’t leave them out.

Final Thought: Your CV Is a Sales Pitch

At the end of the day, your CV is your first impression. It’s your sales pitch. You’re selling yourself, your skills, and your value.

Make it count. Tailor it, tweak it, and show employers why they should hire you—not just another applicant.

Stop blending in. Start standing out.

We craft tailored CVs that highlight your strengths, showcase your achievements, and get you noticed.