CV and cover letter tips that recruiters notice

Recruiters skim a CV in seconds. Make those seconds count.

Your CV

• Lead with achievements, not duties. "Cut invoice processing time by 30%" beats "Responsible for invoices".
• Start bullets with a strong verb: led, built, reduced, launched, improved.
• Use numbers wherever you can: money, time, people, percentages.
• Keep it short: two pages for most roles in the UK; one page is often expected for early-career roles in the US.
• Be consistent: the same date format, tense and punctuation in every entry.
• Tailor it. Mirror the key skills and words in the job advert, truthfully.

UK and US differences

Your cover letter

1. Open with the role and why you want it, specifically.
2. Pick two or three achievements that match what the advert asks for.
3. Show you know the organisation: a product, a value or recent news.
4. Close with a clear next step: you would welcome the chance to discuss the role.

Keep it to one page, and address it to a named person if you can.

The mistakes that cost interviews

• Spelling and grammar errors, especially in the company's name.
• One generic letter sent everywhere.
• Unexplained gaps; a single line is enough.