This is a real example of a CV before and after our review and re-write. Every CV we produce is unique and individually tailored to the client — this is simply here to illustrate the kind of transformation you can expect.
Recruiters move fast
45
seconds is roughly how long a recruiter spends scanning a CV before deciding whether to read on. If it can't be read that quickly, it won't be read.
CV Before
Before
Our Review Comments Prior to the Revamp
Here's what we picked up on when we first reviewed John's CV, grouped by section — scroll down to see the final result.
Contact Details & Profile
- Missing contact detailsNo phone number or email address was included, significantly reducing the chances of a recruiter getting back to him.
- Overuse of "I"Points repeatedly started with "I…". This is unnecessary in a CV, as first person is already implied.
- Generic profileThe profile was full of clichés rather than communicating his record of achievement and unique selling points.
- Unnecessary objectiveUK CVs don't need an "Objective" section — these can appear limiting and be seen negatively by recruiters.
ABC Health
- Unexplained employment gapA gap between May and October 2007 was easily avoidable by omitting months rather than inviting questions.
- Vague claims"Increased customer satisfaction" was stated without any measurable detail — by how much?
- Inconsistent voiceWriting swapped between active and passive voice. Phrases like "responsible for" are signs of the weaker passive voice.
- Salary details includedSalary should never appear on a CV — it can work against you either way, and is confidential until negotiations begin.
- Task-based, not results-basedMost content described duties rather than achievements — the most important, keyword-rich, persuasive part of any CV.
ABC Recruitment (Health Service)
- Reasons for leavingThese aren't needed on a CV.
- Incorrect tensePrevious roles should always be written in the past tense.
- Dense paragraphsBullet points would make this section far easier to scan quickly.
- Repetitive phrasing"Responsible for organising workloads" appeared for a second time — repeated terminology can suggest limited vocabulary.
Healthy ABC Ltd
- Lack of contentToo little detail leaves the reader with more questions than answers.
- Irrelevant hobbiesUnless directly relevant to the target role, this section should be removed to free up space for more valuable information.
General Presentation
- Ordinary appearanceJudicious use of formatting can make a CV far more inviting to read.
- Spelling error"Manager" was misspelled as "manger" in the profile — missed by spellcheck.
- Unexplained gap after studyA short summary of activity after graduating would pre-empt an obvious recruiter question.
- Inconsistent punctuationSome bullet points ended with full stops, others didn't.
- Left-aligned textFully justifying the text would make the CV appear tidier and easier to read.
CV After
After
Lee, owner of the CV Store, is a consummate professional, providing a first class service in CV writing. With his advice and support I recently managed to make a complete career transition into a senior management role for a major non-profit brand.
Want the Same Transformation for Your CV?
Every CV we write goes through this same level of scrutiny — no templates, no stock content, just a bespoke rewrite built around your experience and target roles.