Complete CV Optimisation Library

Format & Layout

Mastering CV format, layout design, and visual hierarchy for maximum readability.

• How to Fit Your CV on One Page

  Struggling to fit your CV on one page? These formatting techniques create space without sacrificing readability or professionalism.

• How to Structure a Two-Page CV

  Page one hooks. Page two proves. Learn how to split your content across two pages so recruiters read both—and remember you.

• Why White Space Makes Your CV Easier to Read

  White space helps recruiters scan your CV in seconds. Learn why empty space isn't wasted space—and how it guides the reader's eye to what matters.

• CV Spacing Settings: Margins, Line Height & More

  Get the exact margin, line spacing, and section break settings for a professional CV. Copy these numbers into Word or Google Docs.

• Should Your CV Have a Footer?

  CV footers are optional but useful for multi-page documents. Learn what to include and what to avoid in your CV footer.

• What to Put in Your CV Header

  Your CV header is your first impression. Learn exactly what to include, what to leave out, and how to format it for UK recruiters.

• Where to Put Hobbies on Your CV

  Hobbies belong at the bottom. Learn how to format your interests section so it adds value without stealing focus from your experience.

• Front-Loading the 'R': Flipping the STAR Model

  In a story, the ending comes last. In a CV, it must come first. Learn the "Result-First" formatting trick that hooks recruiters instantly.

• The "Paragraph-Then-Bullet" Rule

  Should you use paragraphs or bullet points? The answer is both. Learn the visual hierarchy rule that makes your CV scannable for recruiters.

• Where to Put Testimonials? (Sidebar vs. Footer)

  You have a great quote, but where does it fit? We explore the best visual placements for testimonials so they don't clutter your experience section.

• Hyperlinks on CVs: Blue, Black, or Text-Only?

  Should your LinkedIn URL be blue and underlined? Or black text? We explain the modern design standard for CV hyperlinks in 2025.

• Naming Your CV File: The Professional UK Standard

  Is your CV filename letting you down? Discover the professional standard for naming your CV file to ensure UK recruitment consultants actually open it.

• How to Name Your Resume File: The 2025 ATS-Proof Guide

  Stop saving your resume as 'Resume.pdf'. Learn the #1 naming convention that beats the ATS and helps recruiters find you instantly. Best practices for 2025.

Writing & Content

Optimising content, tone of voice, and writing style to compel recruiters.

• How to Write Shorter CV Bullets Without Losing Impact

  Tight on space? Learn how to cut words from your CV bullets while keeping the achievements that matter. Less fluff, more punch.

• The 3 Questions Every CV Profile Must Answer

  Strong CV profiles answer three questions: why this field, what you bring, and what sets you apart. Use this framework to write a compelling summary.

• The Specificity Rule: Why "Reading" Wastes a Line

  Generic hobbies add nothing. Learn how to rewrite vague interests into specific, memorable lines that make recruiters pause.

• Quantifying the Unquantifiable (The "Result" Problem)

  Struggling to find the "Result" for your STAR bullet point? You don't always need money or percentages. Learn how to quantify "soft" achievements.

• The "Why Hired" Hook: Contextualising Your Role

  Don't start your job entry with a boring list of duties. Learn how to write a "Mandate Paragraph" that explains exactly why they hired you to solve a problem.

• Stop Saying You're a "Leader": Use Social Proof Instead

  Anyone can claim they are a "visionary leader." It only counts when someone else says it. Learn how to replace empty adjectives with powerful LinkedIn quotes.

• The Vanity URL: Why john-doe-98234 is Hurting Your Brand

  Still have random numbers in your LinkedIn profile link? It looks lazy. Here is the 10-second fix to create a custom URL that looks executive-ready.

• The 3-Beat Hook: A Formula for Interim Executive Profiles

  You have 6 seconds to prove relevance. The 3-Beat Hook—Identity, Mandate, Trajectory—signals speed and precision for interim executive profiles.

• Authentic Authority: Why C-Suite Profiles Must Ditch Corporate Jargon

  Recruiters hire humans, not buzzwords. Learn why authenticity cuts through the noise of a crowded interim market—and how to rewrite your executive bio.

ATS Optimisation

Technical strategies to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and AI filters.

• Keyword Strategy: Optimising Without Stuffing

  ATS systems match your CV against job descriptions. Learn how to use keywords naturally without triggering spam filters or looking desperate.

• The ATS Landscape: Which Robots Are Reading Your CV?

  Not all ATS systems are equal. Learn which platforms Fortune 500 companies, agencies, and SMBs use—and how each one parses your CV differently.

• How ATS Systems Read Your CV Header

  ATS parsers extract your name, email, and phone from the header. Learn how to format contact details so robots read them correctly.

• The "White Text" Hack: Why It Gets You Rejected

  A viral trend suggests hiding keywords in white text to trick the ATS. We explain why this "Black Hat" tactic fails and how it can get you blacklisted.

• The "Left-to-Right" Rule: Why Columns Break Parsers

  Multi-column layouts look great to humans but often scramble data for robots. We explain the "Reading Order" logic of older ATS software.

• "My Journey" vs. "Experience": How Headers Confuse Robots

  Being creative with your section titles can confuse the resume parser. Learn the standard headings that ensure your data lands in the right database fields.

• Do ATS Robots Click Your Links?

  Will a live hyperlink confuse the Applicant Tracking System? We break down how parsers handle URLs and where to place them for safety.

Career Strategy

Tactical advice for career gaps, industry pivots, and salary negotiation.

• What Happens After You Click "Apply"

  Ever wondered where your CV goes after you hit submit? We trace the journey from upload to inbox—and explain why you never heard back.

• One-Page or Two-Page CV? How to Decide

  Not sure if your CV should be one page or two? Your experience level and target role determine the answer. Here's how to choose.

• Why This Industry? Answering the Career Change Question

  Career changers must explain why they want in. Learn how to frame your transition as a logical step, not a leap of faith.

• When Hobbies Help Your CV (And When They Hurt)

  Should you list hobbies on your CV? Only if they prove something. Learn when interests strengthen your application and when they waste space.

• The "Seniority Test": Why Executives Use SOAR, Not STAR

  Are you sounding too junior? The STAR method focuses on "Tasks," while the SOAR method focuses on "Objectives." Learn which one signals leadership potential.

• Working for "Nobody Inc.": Contextualising Unknown Employers

  Worked for a company the recruiter hasn't heard of? Learn how to add a "Company One-Liner" that proves your scale and relevance immediately.

• The "Draft It For Me" Rule: How to Get Recommendations

  Feeling awkward about asking for a review? Use the "Draft It For Me" strategy to make it easy for your boss to say yes immediately.

• The Executive Value Proposition: Why "Personal Statements" Fail in the C-Suite

  Personal statements are for graduates. Senior executives need a value proposition—a commercial mandate that signals ROI, not biography.

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