In today’s competitive UK job market, your CV (Curriculum Vitae) serves as your personal sales pitch. Whether you're applying directly to companies or through a specialist recruitment agency like Get Recruited, a well-structured CV is essential. This comprehensive guide will teach you how to craft a CV that grabs attention, passes Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and lands you interviews for top roles, including Sales Jobs, Marketing Jobs, Insurance Jobs, Accountancy & Finance Jobs, and Commercial Jobs.
Understanding the Purpose of a CV
A CV is more than just a list of your previous jobs, it's a strategic document that markets your skills and experience to employers and recruitment agencies. In the UK, a CV typically includes contact information, a professional summary, detailed work experience, your education history, and relevant skills.
Your contact information should include your name, a professional email address, phone number, and optionally your LinkedIn profile. Following this, a professional summary gives recruiters a snapshot of who you are. This brief section should highlight your experience, core strengths, and career ambitions.
Work experience is a crucial component and should be presented in reverse chronological order. Describe each role by outlining your key responsibilities and achievements, supported by quantifiable results where possible. Employers also expect to see your academic qualifications and any relevant certifications, especially in technical or regulated fields such as finance, insurance or engineering.
Additional sections such as languages, volunteer experience, professional memberships, or specific certifications (e.g, ACCA) can provide a competitive edge.
Crafting a Powerful Professional Summary
Your Professional Summary is one of the most impactful parts of your CV. It should be concise, focused, and tailored to the role you're applying for. Aim for 3 to 5 lines that clearly define your value proposition.
Example: Results-driven Marketing Specialist with over five years of experience in digital marketing, content strategy, and brand development. Proven ability to drive lead generation and increase visibility through innovative campaigns. Seeking a marketing role in the UK to leverage my expertise in performance marketing and strategy.
When writing your summary, incorporate keywords specific to your industry. For example, if you're submitting your CV to a Marketing Recruitment Agency, include terms like ‘campaign strategy’ or ‘SEO’ to align with what recruiters are searching for.
This summary sets the tone for the rest of your CV. Think of it as your pitch, it should quickly convey who you are and what you bring to the table.
Presenting Your Work Experience Effectively
This section should reflect your capabilities and achievements in previous roles. Start with your most recent job and work backwards. Each entry should include your job title, the name of the organisation, and the dates of employment.
Use short paragraphs to describe your core duties, then include examples of measurable outcomes you achieved, such as "boosted sales revenue by 25% in one year" or "led a team that launched three national marketing campaigns". These examples provide evidence of your value and encourage the hiring manager to keep reading.
Tailoring this section to specific industries can significantly increase your chances of being shortlisted. For example, in Sales Jobs, recruiters will look for evidence of meeting or exceeding targets, account growth, or successful negotiation strategies. In Finance Jobs, it might be financial forecasting, reporting accuracy or cost-saving initiatives.
Recruiters also value consistency and career progression. If you’ve been promoted within an organisation, make that progression clear, as it reflects both performance and commitment.
Tailoring Your CV for Different Job Sectors
Sales Jobs
When applying for Sales Jobs, your CV should emphasise achievements related to client acquisition, meeting sales targets, and building long-term relationships. Mentioning CRM systems, pipeline management, and contract negotiation can further bolster your profile.
Related: How to Write a Sales CV
Marketing Jobs
For Marketing Jobs, highlight experience in campaign planning, SEO, social media strategy, and analytics. Employers want to see tangible results, so include figures such as "increased organic traffic by 40%" or "achieved a 5:1 ROI on paid ads".
Insurance Jobs
Those applying for Insurance Jobs should focus on risk analysis, claims handling, and regulatory compliance. Use examples that demonstrate your attention to detail, client service and technical expertise.
Accountancy and Finance Jobs
Candidates targeting Accountancy & Finance Jobs should focus on skills in budgeting, auditing, and reporting. Proficiency with software such as Xero, Sage, or QuickBooks is highly regarded. Showcase how you've added value by streamlining reporting processes or identifying cost-saving opportunities.
Commercial Jobs
In Commercial Jobs, demonstrate your ability to manage relationships with suppliers, oversee contracts, and enhance profitability. Meanwhile, for Management Jobs, focus on leadership, operational strategy, and stakeholder engagement.
Understanding the Role of Keywords and ATS
Applicant Tracking Systems are commonly used by employers and recruitment agencies to shortlist CVs. These systems search for keywords that match the job description, so including the right terms is critical.
For example, if the job description asks for experience in "B2B sales," "data analysis," or "budget forecasting," make sure those exact phrases appear in your CV. This ensures that your application isn't filtered out before a human sees it.
To optimise for both ATS and human recruiters, naturally integrate relevant keywords throughout your CV, particularly in the professional summary and work experience sections.
Think about the ‘5 Cs of a good CV’: Clear, Concise, Customised, Credible, and Consistent. Keeping these in mind helps guide your structure and ensures it resonates with both software and hiring professionals.
Professional Formatting for UK CVs
Presentation matters. Choose a clean, professional layout with clear headings. Stick to standard UK spelling and avoid Americanisms. For example, use "organise" instead of "organize" and "programme" rather than "program."
Use a professional font such as Arial or Calibri, size 11 or 12 for body text and 14 for headings. Make good use of white space, avoid walls of text, and maintain consistent formatting throughout.
Use bullet points for responsibilities and achievements, but balance them with concise paragraphs to maintain a professional and polished appearance. Keep your CV ideally within two pages.
Avoiding Common CV Mistakes
There are several pitfalls that can hurt your chances, even if you have the right experience. First, always proofread your CV for spelling and grammar errors. Tools like Grammarly can help, but it’s wise to have someone else read it too.
Avoid being too generic. Phrases like "hard-working" or "team player" should be supported by examples. Instead of writing "excellent communication skills," explain how you used those skills to resolve client issues or lead successful meetings.
Another frequent error is including every job you’ve ever had. This raises the question: Should I list all jobs on a CV? Not necessarily. Focus on roles relevant to the position you're applying for. If you’ve had short-term roles or jobs unrelated to your current career path, consider summarising them briefly or omitting them altogether.
Finally, tailor your CV to each application. A generic CV may be easier to send out, but it won't perform as well as one crafted for the specific role and industry.
How to Complement Your CV with a Standout Cover Letter
A CV alone may get your foot in the door, but a tailored cover letter can significantly increase your chances of securing an interview. While your CV outlines your qualifications, a cover letter allows you to tell your story in more detail and connect your background to the employer’s needs.
When writing a cover letter, address the hiring manager if possible, and be specific about the role you’re applying for. Use the letter to highlight your most relevant achievements and explain why you're passionate about the company or industry.
Try to keep your letter to one A4 page and avoid simply repeating your CV. Instead, show your personality and motivation. Customising each cover letter, just like your CV, demonstrates effort and attention to detail, traits employers value highly.
Get Expert Help from Get Recruited
At Get Recruited, we understand what employers are looking for and how to help candidates stand out. Whether you're seeking your next opportunity in Marketing Recruitment, Sales Recruitment, Finance Recruitment or Insurance Recruitment, our expert consultants can support you in presenting a CV that lands interviews.
We offer career guidance, application tips, and access to thousands of job opportunities across the UK. With our experience across sectors such as Finance, Insurance, and Management, you can be confident you’re in capable hands.
Ready to take the next step? Submit your CV to Get Recruited today and let us help you find your next career move.
Useful Resources:
National Careers Service – Writing a CV
The UK government's official careers service provides comprehensive guidance on creating a CV, including what to include and how to structure it.
🔗 National Careers Service – Writing a CV
Prospects.ac.uk – How to Write a CV
Prospects offers detailed advice tailored for graduates and early-career professionals, covering different CV formats and sector-specific tips.
🔗 Prospects – How to Write a CV
TargetJobs – CV Advice
TargetJobs provides insights into crafting CVs for various industries, with examples and tips for both students and experienced professionals.
🔗 TargetJobs – CV Advice