Online freelancer profiles have become slicker than ever. But when it comes to CVs, well, those might need a complete makeover for 2025, according to Sarah Leembruggen, MD and senior comms executive search specialist at The Works
“We have felt an increase in momentum in the jobs market so far in 2025 and many a corporate communications professional is sharpening up their CV,” says Leembruggen.
The start of a new year is a great time to do some personal career history spring cleaning, so if your CV hasn’t been updated in a while – or if you’ve recognised any of the howlers (see her video below) – she suggests “it’s time for a refresh.”
The headhunter says she and her colleagues read a lot of CVs – “and they’re not always pretty.”
She says many of the CVs that come their way contain errors, minor ones usually, but sometimes some mistakes “set off alarm bells” and immediately make her and her team doubt a candidate’s credibility.
“While we know that candidates are not intending to frustrate us with their CV blunders, the reality is that we do get frustrated because so many people make the same mistakes, again and again,” says Leembruggen.
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What does a great CV look like in 2025?
She says some candidates may find her pet peeves nit-picky, but she warns there are certain pitfalls that you need to avoid at all costs.
If you want your CV to make it past the gatekeepers and into the hiring manager’s hands, she suggests you steer clear of some “cringe-worthy mistakes”.
She offers some dos and don’ts to ensure your CV has a better chance of getting that all-important interview.
- Leave the photo out: Judging a candidate based on their appearance is simply unacceptable. We’re interested in your skills and experience, not your photo. Including one can actually hinder your application, as it can open the door to unconscious bias. Let your qualifications speak for themselves.
- Word documents rule: Please, no PDFs. We understand the desire to maintain formatting, but Word documents are far easier for us to work with. As recruiters, we often need to anonymise CVs before sending them to clients, removing personal details and adding our company logo. A Word document makes this process seamless. Imagine trying to edit a PDF – it’s a formatting nightmare!
- Black and white font is best: Forget the rainbow. While a pop of colour might seem like a good way to stand out, it often has the opposite effect. A clean, professional black and white CV is far more effective. Your creativity should shine through in the content, not the colour scheme.
- Choose your font wisely: Times New Roman might be familiar, but it can also make your CV look dated. Go for a modern, clean, and easy-to-read font like Calibri, Arial, or Helvetica. Please make sure the font size is no smaller than 10 or 11. We don’t want to have to reach for a magnifying glass!
- Ditch the pronouns: First person, second person, third person – none of the above! Write your CV using “implied first person,” where pronouns are omitted. This creates a more professional and concise tone. For example, instead of “I managed a team of five,” simply write “Managed a team of five.”
- Keep personal details private: We don’t need to know your marital status, how many children you have, or their ages. These details are irrelevant to your professional abilities and can even lead to discrimination. Keep your CV focused on your skills and experience.
- Professional email address only: That fun email address you created in your teens? Leave it out. A professional email address, ideally your name or a variation of it, is essential. sarahhotlips@gmail.com might be amusing, but it’s not the impression you want to make on a potential employer.
- Steer clear of generic personal statements: “A team player with excellent communication skills” – we’ve heard it all before. Your personal statement is your chance to grab our attention and show us what makes you unique. What are your passions? What are your career aspirations? Think outside the box and tell us something that will make you memorable.
- One page is too short: While brevity is important, a one-page CV is rarely sufficient to showcase your skills and experience. You have two pages to sell yourself – use them wisely.
- Four pages is too long: On the other hand, a four-page CV is overkill. We don’t need your entire life story. Focus on the most relevant experiences and accomplishments, tailoring your CV to each specific job you apply for.
- Post-nominals: Not Necessary (Usually): While post-nominals are important in certain fields, such as medicine or academia, they’re generally not necessary in most other industries. Let your experience and skills speak for themselves.
- Ordinary hobbies? Leave Them Out: “Going to the cinema and reading” is pretty standard. Instead, focus on interests that are more unique and engaging, perhaps even related to the role you’re applying for. These can be great conversation starters in an interview.
- Middle names: The Great Debate: To include or not to include? This one’s up to you. It’s not a deal-breaker either way. If it makes you happy, keep it in, but some recruiters think they are off-putting.
Still need some guidance on updating your CV? Check out some more CV writing tips here.