Over the years, I have interviewed hundreds of candidates across roles, industries, and experience levels.

And here’s something I have noticed:
It’s not always the least experienced people who get rejected. Often, it’s the most capable ones. Simply because their CV doesn’t tell their story well.

A CV is not a list.
It’s not just a summary.
It’s the first interaction, the first clue, we get about who you are. And if that’s unclear or incomplete, we hesitate.

So what makes a CV work?
Not perfection. But clarity. Context. Character.

Let me explain:
🔹 Clarity:
Can I understand, in under 60 seconds, what you do and what you bring?
Is your experience visible, or is it hidden in long paragraphs?
🔹 Context:
If you took a break, tell me about it.
If you moved across industries, explain how.
Silence breeds doubt but a simple sentence brings trust.
🔹 Character:
Do I see you in your CV or just a list of tasks?
Did you own outcomes? Lead change? Learn from setbacks?

What hurts your chances?
Not typos. Not the font. Not even a career break.
But when your CV…
– Doesn’t show what makes you unique
– Lacks direction or clear progression
– Says “responsible for” but never shows results
– Lists tools, but not how you used them
– Sounds like someone else wrote it

I don’t expect candidates to write like marketers.
But I do hope they write like humans.

Because when you show up on paper as a real person, honest about your journey, clear about your strengths, and intentional about where you are going – you don’t just get shortlisted, you get remembered.

Hiring managers don’t want perfection.
They want potential, clearly and confidently told.
So ask yourself: Does your CV speak for you when you are not in the room?

If not, it’s time to rewrite the conversation.