If you’re looking for a new job, the first thing you should do is refresh your CV. Depending on how long you’ve been in your current job, your skills and experience could be years out of date, so it’s imperative you have an up-to-date CV to send out to prospective employers.

But as well as displaying all your impressive credentials, your CV also has a secondary job: it’s a hiring manager’s first impression of you. Studies have shown that CVs are typically looked at for as little as 6–10 seconds, which means initial impact is crucial. And there’s one thing that will ensure your CV doesn’t make it past the 10-second mark: a lengthy, autobiographical CV.

“A CV that reads like a memoir – complete with every Saturday job and temp stint – tells an employer that you don’t know what story you’re trying to tell,” says Victoria McLean, CEO and founder of Career Constancy City CV. “It says: ‘I’m not sure what’s relevant and I’m not sure where I’m going, so I’ve just dumped it all here and hoped for the best.’ A long, unfocused CV screams a lack of strategy. It suggests you’re not being selective about your next step, and that’s a red flag.”

Not only does it give the impression that you don’t know what you want or understand the job you’re applying for, but a CV as long as your arm buries your brilliance. “It’s so common and tempting to try to list everything you can do, but when you give equal weight to every experience, you dilute the impact of the really impressive stuff,” says McLean. “A hiring manager doesn’t have time to decode your CV. If they can’t instantly see why you’re right for the role, they’ll move on.”

Andrew Smith, marketing director at Click Consult, suggests thinking of your CV as a piece of marketing. After all, what is a CV if not a tool with which to market yourself?

“Just like a brand carefully selecting the most compelling aspects of a product for an advertising campaign, your CV should only highlight the skills and experiences that are relevant for the role you’re applying for,” says Smith. “Your CV is your personal advertisement and should be designed to attract the attention of recruiters with clarity and impact. Just as marketing campaigns tailor their message to their specific target audience, you should be customising your CV for each job you’re applying for, even if they’re in the same industry.”

Smith suggests using the inverted pyramid technique, a marketing tool that involves having the most important information up front, followed by supporting details and finally background information: “This allows the reader to grasp the essence of the message, even when quickly skim reading,” he says.

Just as in branding and marketing, don’t underestimate how big a role design plays in how impactful your CV is. “A minimalist design isn’t just for aesthetics; it’s a strategic marketing decision that makes your CV professional and engaging. Use bold headings and bullet points instead of long paragraphs, with enough white space between sections to make it easy to read and prevent visual strain.”

Summing up all your brilliance concisely is not an easy skill to master; however, McLean has a few key tips that, if followed, will automatically make for a shorter, more concise and more impactful CV.

Start by deleting the job you had in 2008 that has nothing to do with your current career goals. “Unless it was wildly impressive or directly relevant, anything over 10–15 years old can usually go,” says McLean. “Remember, your CV is a highlight reel, so you need to curate it thoughtfully.”

Then, banish the buzzword soup. “‘Hardworking team player with excellent communication skills’ isn’t telling anyone anything new. In fact, it’s a bit amateurish. Instead, back up your skills and statements with clear, punchy outcomes: ‘Grew engagement 62% in six months,’ for example. That’s memorable.”

Keep asking yourself, ‘What does this job need?’ and then ruthlessly edit around that. “You don’t need to list every skill you’ve ever acquired, every job you’ve ever had or every hobby you’re interested in. Kill some darlings and only include the things that position you for the specific opportunity you’re applying for.” However, if you’re trying to make space, McLean says the one thing you should never delete is achievements. “If you have to trim something, make it your past job duties because employers aren’t excited by a to-do list. The only thing they really care about is impact. So keep your proudest wins – quantified, where possible – and shrink the admin.”

Lastly, don’t forget about those all-important opening lines. “Your bio can be powerful, but only if it’s doing something. A great bio is a hook, not a summary. Use it to tell employers what kind of professional you are, what you stand for, what sets you apart and what you’ve achieved. Warm, succinct and confident is the sweet spot.”

Images: Getty