CV writing skills
Create a CV that stands out
Your CV is one of the most important things to get right as you embark on any recruitment process. It helps hiring managers understand how your skills and experience relate to the role you're applying for. So, it's worth taking the time to hone your CV.
This section offers practical guidance to help you build or refresh your CV.
Scroll down to explore key tips on writing your personal statement, layout, formatting, tailoring your CV, and how to make your experience stand out.
Personal statement
Start with a short summary of who you are, what you’re good at and what you’re looking for. This sits at the top of your CV and serves as your elevator pitch, showcasing your skills and expertise.
Try to include:
- A brief introduction to you and your experience
- Your key skills
- Why you’re a good match for the role
When applying for roles, take the time to tailor your personal statement to the specific requirements of the role. We’re not saying every application requires a full rewrite (though you can if you want), even minor tweaks can create a really engaging introduction to your application and make it relevant to each role.
An experienced and committed customer service professional within financial services. I’m passionate about delivering great service, with a strong track record of great outcomes in a regulated environment. I’m proactive, positive and confident managing my workload.
Contact details
Include your full name, professional email address, phone number, town or city, and a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one. There’s no need to include your date of birth, marital status or a photo – in fact, we’d strongly suggest you don’t. Only include driving licence information if it’s relevant to the role.
Formatting tips
Keep your CV clear and professional. Use a simple, readable font and make sure your layout is consistent. Two pages of A4 is typically the standard length. But that doesn’t mean your CV can’t be shorter or longer. The most important thing is that the information you include is relevant.
Remember to tailor your CV format to the role. For example, some roles may value creativity, which gives you more freedom in how you present your information. For other roles, clearly showing your experience may be more important. We recommend keeping your CV professional, then adjusting the style slightly if the role calls for a more creative approach.
Start with your personal statement and contact details. Then add your work experience or qualifications, depending on what’s most relevant to the role. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements. Keep the format clean and avoid clip art or decorative icons. AI tools can help you get started, but always personalise the output. Your CV should reflect your voice and your experience.
Work experience and education
In your work history, focus on what you contributed. If you worked as part of a team, describe your role and impact. Use bullet points rather than long paragraphs to keep things clear and easy to read.
Position your education where it makes most sense. If it’s important for the role, or you’re early in your career, place it nearer the top. Otherwise, it can sit below your work experience
It’s all about what information the hiring team will want to know.
Important things to remember
Adapting your CV for each role helps you stand out.
Focus on how your skills and experience align with what the role is asking for. If you're applying for something outside your current area, highlight transferable skills and relevant achievements to bring your experience and fit for the role to life (or something similar).
Use the job advert or role profile to guide you. Think about how your strengths fit the role and adjust your CV to clearly demonstrate this.
If you need more information about the role, we encourage you to reach out to the Hiring Manager or Resourcing & Inclusion Specialist managing the role – their contact details should be listed in the advert.
It’s important to be truthful about your experience and achievements.
If something isn’t quite right, it could come up later in the process.
You may want to include a short section about your interests or hobbies.
This is optional, but it can help show a bit more of who you are outside of work, especially if it supports relevant skills.
What’s next?
Once your first draft is ready, you can book time with your Internal Mobility Team. They’ll help you review it, refine it and get it ready to use for internal roles.
To book some time, email internalmobility@ybs.co.uk and we’ll get something scheduled.
Make the most of LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning offers a wide range of courses to support your next move, including CV writing, interview preparation, career planning, job searching and reskilling. You can browse recommended resources or search the full library for topics that match your needs.
In addition to LinkedIn Learning, don’t forget to explore the external support tools available to help you create or update your CV, including access to templates and other practical resources.
If you have trouble logging in to LinkedIn Learning, check the support guide.
Find out more
External resources for CV support and more
A variety of external resources can help you create, update, and refine your CV. These tools offer practical guidance, templates, and tips to help you confidently showcase your skills and experience.
You can find more resources to support you here.
Reed’s CV writing masterclass shows you how to create a winning CV, highlighting what employers want and sharing practical tips to make your experience stand out. You can access the masterclass here.
Total Jobs provides a simple guide on writing a perfect CV, including formatting, tailoring for specific roles, and example CVs to inspire your own. Explore Total Jobs’ advice here.
Indeed offers guidance on planning and crafting your CV and cover letter, with examples and templates to help you present your skills and experience effectively. Check out the guide here.
Take some guidance from our CV templates
To help you put your best foot forward, we’ve added three distinct CV templates to suit different stages of your career. Download the one that best fits your experience to help you showcase your talent and secure your next role.
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Download Content
Standard CV template
To help you to demonstrate a solid work history and career progression within your current field.
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Download Content
Skills based CV template
Ideal for focussing on your core competencies and potential rather than a chronological work record.
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Download Content
Career Change CV template
This template highlights your transferable skills and relevant achievements to bridge the gap between your past experience and your new ambition.
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