A practical, personal guide to writing a CV that stands out in a crowded market. Seven stops, two universal don’ts and a personal statement that doesn’t read like a press release.
The layout decisions that determine whether a recruiter reads your CV or moves on. One page versus two. Columns versus no columns. Why the ATS hates your beautifully designed PDF.
The most-written, worst-written section on most CVs. How to write a personal statement that sounds like you wrote it, not a recruitment website.
What a recruiter is actually looking for in your job history. Bullets versus prose. Responsibilities versus achievements. The one-line rule.
What to list, what to cut and why Microsoft Office is not a skill. How to make the skills section do work instead of taking up space.
Career breaks, industry changes and the gaps that feel bigger to you than they do to anyone reading. How to handle them honestly and well.
Two things that appear on almost every CV that reduce your chances of being read. No exceptions, no workarounds, no arguments.
The final checks before you send. The version you keep. The version you tailor. And the five-second test that tells you whether you’re ready.
The personal statement is the most-written, worst-written section on most CVs. The fix is simpler than you think.
Field Guide № 01 · Shout · 2026
Twelve pages of practical, personal guidance from people who’ve read thousands of CVs. What works, what doesn’t and exactly what to do about it. Free to download, free to share. Pass it on to someone who needs it.