Introduction

Most people think writing a CV starts with opening a blank document and typing out their jobs in date order, it doesn’t. A strong CV is not created by writing first, it is created by thinking first, and this is where most CVs go wrong, most people start with formatting, bullet points, templates, or copying old wording from previous CVs, then they try to make it sound professional, before they have worked out what they actually need the CV to do.

Your CV is not just a document, it is a positioning tool, and it should help a recruiter or hiring manager understand who you are professionally, what level you operate at, where your strengths sit, what kind of problems you solve, and why you are relevant to the role in question.

That means writing a CV is not just about listing experience, it is about planning, extracting evidence, identifying value, shaping a story, structuring content, and presenting it in a way that is easy to absorb.

Don’t worry, this guide takes you through that process step-by-step, and in the right order. Make sure to use the downloadable Workbook as you go through each section.