- Candidates
- CV & cover letters
How to write a CV when you’re changing careers
August 20, 2026 · 10 minute read
Your CV is often the first thing employers see, so it needs to show your experience clearly and position you for the roles you’re applying for. Explore practical CV advice and tips to help you structure your experience, highlight the right skills and improve your chances of getting interviews.
Salary guides
Before updating your CV, it helps to understand how your experience is valued in the current market. This can guide how you position your skills and what roles you target.
Our salary guides provide up-to-date benchmarks across marketing & sales, tech, IT and data, helping you align your CV with realistic salary expectations.
FAQs
A well-structured CV should be clear and easy to scan. Start with a short personal profile, followed by your key skills and work experience in reverse chronological order. Focus on relevant responsibilities and achievements for each role. Keeping your CV organised helps employers quickly understand your experience and how it aligns with the role.
In most cases, a CV should be two to three pages long, depending on your experience. It should include enough detail to show your background without becoming difficult to read. Prioritise relevant experience and avoid unnecessary information so employers can quickly identify your suitability.
Your CV should include your contact details, a short personal profile, key skills and your work experience. Focus on responsibilities and achievements that are relevant to the roles you’re applying for. Including measurable outcomes where possible helps demonstrate the impact you’ve made in previous roles.
Making your CV stand out comes down to relevance and clarity. Tailor your CV to the role by highlighting the experience and skills that match the job description. Use clear language and avoid unnecessary detail. A focused CV makes it easier for employers to see why you’re a strong fit.
Yes, tailoring your CV for each job application can improve your chances of getting interviews. Adjusting your experience, skills and wording to reflect the role helps demonstrate alignment. Even small changes can make your application more relevant and improve how it’s received by employers.
Common CV mistakes include including too much irrelevant information, using unclear formatting and not tailoring your CV to the role. Keeping your CV focused, easy to read and aligned with the job you’re applying for helps improve how employers engage with your application.