Getting shortlisted: how to build a CV that recruiters can’t ignore
Recruiters are often making decisions about you before they’ve even met you. They rely on your CV to decide whether they should invest time in exploring if you could be a viable candidate. If you’re embarking on a job search in 2026 and your CV isn’t up to scratch, you may be rejected before you’ve even said a word.
The good news is that there are some basic principles and rules which, if followed, can significantly improve your chances of being invited to interview. Some of the ideas below will help you turn your CV into a compelling career story that showcases you in the best possible way.
Let’s go through some practical ideas and actions you can take.
How Recruiters Read CVs
Generally speaking, recruiters scan CVs and only read in detail if they see something that catches their interest. That’s why it’s important to put emphasis on:
Clear titles
Achievements and impact
Skills, especially those deemed ‘essential’ for the role
Clean, clear, and easy-to-read formatting
Your CV will often only reach a human being after it ‘s passed through Applicant Tracking System (ATS) algorithms, which scan for keywords and job-specific terminology. It’s therefore essential that you:
Match the keywords used in the job ad (but obviously in a natural, ‘human’ way)
Match the terminology used by the employer
Use a simple format without colour, graphics, or fancy artwork, which ATS systems often struggle to read.
Tailor your CV for every role
Start with a master version of your CV that contains everything that might be relevant to your sector, and then tailor it for each role you apply for. Whilst this might seem laborious, it’s essential. Your CV is ultimately a sales document. It’s selling you and your capabilities to a specific customer — the recruiter — for a specific job. With that in mind, your CV must be 100% truthful and authentic. It also has to make it easy for the recruiter to immediately see why you’re a strong fit and, therefore, a great candidate for them specifically.
Structure for maximum readability
There are essentially four parts to a strong CV:
Top of the page
Your contact information: name, email address (not your work email), mobile phone number, and a link to your LinkedIn profile. Never include your home address.
Profile summary
Written in the third person, this section highlights the key value you offer to the organisation. You may also include key skills and career highlights, as well as your overall Value Proposition.
Middle section
The main body of the CV, where you outline the organisations you’ve worked for, dates, roles, responsibilities, achievements, and impact:
Start with your most recent role and work backwards chronologically.
Experience older than ten years is typically summarised, unless it’s directly relevant to the role you are applying for.
End of the CV
This section includes education, qualifications, licences, certifications, languages, and relevant technical or software skills. A note of caution on languages: proficiency is easily tested, so be accurate! I’ve heard some horror stories about this in my time!
Formatting guidelines
There’s a fine line between a sparse CV and an overly crammed one. You want to strike the balance so that your CV is comprehensive and fills the page, but isn’t so crowded with information that it’s hard to read. We always recommend a font size of 10–11.5 pt for body text, 12–14 pt for headings, and 16–20 pt for your name at the top.
Finally - avoid these major red flags
Drawing on our CV writers’ expertise, there are a few key things to avoid with a CV:
Dense, impenetrable paragraphs of text
Overly long, multi-clausal sentences
Keyword cramming that results in “word salad”
Poor or inconsistent formatting
Typos
Vague language about what you actually achieved and the impact you had
Failing to clearly state your personal contribution to team efforts, or implying that success was solely due to you
Closing thoughts
Structuring your CV so that it is easy for recruiters to read, clearly demonstrates your fit for the role, and makes the decision to shortlist you simple is a learnable and very achievable skill. In many cases, your CV will be a recruiting firm’s first encounter with you - make it a good one.
If you’re looking to overhaul your CV as part of a wider job search campaign, let’s talk. Click on this link to book an introductory call and find out more.