CV writing advice: 15 practical tips HR notices
The best CV writing advice is simple: tailor every CV to the job, lead with results instead of duties, keep it to one or two pages, and make your contact details perfect. HR scans a CV in seconds, so the top third must show the job title you want and why you fit. The 15 tips below cover writing, sending and following up.
Whether you want professional CV advice before a big application or quick resume writing advice for your first job, these are the tips that matter most.
Writing your CV
- One CV per company. Customise the headline, profile and skills every time.
- Copy the exact job title from the advert into your headline.
- Results, not duties. Add numbers: customers served, targets hit, money handled.
- Name specific skills. "Advanced Excel, QuickBooks", not "computer literate".
- Keep it short. One page for a resume, two for a CV.
- Use your official name, the same as on your certificates.
- Choose referees who supervised you, and call them before listing them.
Sending your application
- Apply early, ideally within a few days of the advert.
- Follow the instructions exactly: reference numbers, file type, number of attachments.
- Use a clear email subject: "Application for Accounts Assistant – Wanjiku Mutua".
- Send a PDF named with your full name, unless Word is requested.
- Add a tailored application letter, even when it's optional.
After you apply
- Follow up once after 5 to 7 working days. Our free HR attention plan writes the email for you.
- Answer your phone professionally; HR may call from an unknown number.
- Never pay to get a job. Real employers don't charge for interviews or "processing".
Career change resume help
Changing careers? Lead with transferable skills (customer handling, managing money, leading a team), add any short courses for the new field, and use your profile to explain the move in one positive sentence. Put the most relevant experience first, even if it isn't the most recent. Tell KaziTu's chat about the change and it will frame your story around the new role.
Resume advice for fresh graduates
Lead with education and skills, then attachments, projects and leadership roles. A one-page resume is often better than a thin two-page CV. See free resume help for a full checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best resume advice for fresh graduates?
Lead with education and skills, add attachments and leadership roles, keep it to one page and tailor it to each job.
What is the most important CV advice?
Tailor every CV to the job and company. It matters more than design, length or fancy words.
Should my CV be one page or two?
A resume is one page; a CV can be two. Fresh graduates usually fit on one page.
How do I write a resume for a career change?
Lead with transferable skills and relevant courses, explain the move briefly in your profile, and put your most relevant experience first.
When should I follow up after applying?
About 5 to 7 working days after applying, with one short, polite email or call.