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Creating a professional CV is one of the most important steps to get more interviews. Whether you're a recent graduate or an experienced professional, understanding how to write and tailor your CV can make all the difference in the competitive UK job market. But should you use one CV for all job applications? The answer is no.
This guide explains the differences between a master CV and a job-specific CV, how to build each one, and why tailoring your CV is essential to your job-search success.
Keep reading for tips on how to write a good CV and best practices on making your CV applicant tracking system (ATS)-friendly.
Defining your career goals
Before getting into the details of writing a CV, it's important to pause and think about your career objectives. Knowing what you want will help shape how your CV is structured. Ask yourself the following questions:
What role are you interested in?
What are your long-term career aspirations?
What specific skills and experiences do you possess that make you a strong candidate for your desired role?
What industries or sectors are you passionate about?
Having clear answers to these questions will make your CV not just a document but an accurate reflection of your expertise and ambitions.
Master CV versus job-specific CV
Many jobseekers make the mistake of using the same CV for every job application, thinking it saves time. However, this approach can actually hurt your chances of success. Tailoring your CV is essential, and a master CV can be a game-changer – an efficient and practical tool to speed up the process. Curious to know how? Keep reading!
What is a master CV?
Think of a master CV as a complete record of everything you’ve done in your career or studies if you are just getting started. It is your personal cheat sheet you can use to create tailored CVs for specific jobs quickly and efficiently.
Benefits of a master CV:
Saves time when tailoring for specific jobs.
Ensures no achievements are forgotten when updating relevant sections.
Helps track your growth over time, acting as a professional diary.
Pro Tip
Update your master CV regularly. This might seem tedious, but adding new skills, certifications, or achievements as soon as possible makes it easier to keep it complete and ready for customisation.
What is a job-specific CV?
A job-specific CV is a tailored version of your master CV, customised to match the requirements of each job you apply for. This means focusing on the skills, experiences, and qualifications that are most relevant to the role and match the job description. Tailoring your CV in this way will set you apart from other applicants and increase your chances of securing an interview.
Why tailoring matters:
Employers appreciate candidates who demonstrate genuine interest in the role by submitting CVs that align with the specific job description. Candidates who submit a tailored are more likely to succeed than those with a generic CV. Simply put, employers like candidates who customise their CVs for the job, showing real interest in the role and company, as well as a proactive attitude.
When tailoring your CV:
Use keywords from the job posting.
Highlight only the relevant achievements and experiences.
Adjust your personal profile to match the role's focus.
How to create a master CV
Follow these steps to create a thorough and complete master CV.
1. List all work experience
Include dates, job titles, and key responsibilities for each role. Even if a job doesn’t feel super relevant, it may have taught you skills you can use in the future. Don’t worry about overloading your master CV – now is the time to include everything. It’ll make life so much easier when you’re creating a tailored CV, and you’ll be glad you did it.
2. Record key achievements
Track your achievements, big and small, and quantify them whenever you can. Whether they come from your studies, part-time work, or paid roles, having these documented makes it easy to pick and choose what to highlight in your tailored CVs or future job applications. For example:
“Improved customer satisfaction ratings by 20% over six months.”
“Managed a team of 10 to deliver projects on time and under budget.”
Discover more tips for listing achievements in a CV.
3. Include educational history and certifications
Your educational background and certifications are key components of your master CV, especially if you're just starting your career. Be sure to include all relevant degrees, diplomas, training programs, or any professional courses you've completed. Add the dates of completion, the name of the institution, and any standout details like honours or specialisation. Including this information in your master CV not only saves time later when tailoring your application, but also helps you track all your qualifications over time. Learn more about how to include education on a CV.
4. Add skills to showcase abilities
Listing all your skills on a master CV ensures you have a complete overview to refer to when tailoring applications, saving time and preventing key abilities from being overlooked. Listing all skills, including those learned from non-traditional experiences like volunteering or hobbies, helps you track your personal and professional growth over time, and can give you confidence to apply for jobs in future. A detailed skills section on your master CV ultimately saves time, ensures accuracy, and acts as a handy inventory of your strengths for any career opportunity ahead.
5. Keep a portfolio section
Including a portfolio section in your master CV can be a powerful way to showcase your work, especially for roles that rely heavily on tangible results, such as creative, project-based, or even technical and medical positions. Adding links or detailed notes about projects you’ve contributed to – like writing samples, design work, case studies, or metrics achieved – allows potential employers to see your skills in action. This section helps demonstrate the quality and impact of your work, going beyond what words on a CV alone can achieve. Even for beginners, having examples like university projects, voluntary work, or online course assignments can make your CV stand out.
For more inspiration, explore expertly-written CV examples to help get you started:
How to tailor your CV for a specific job
Writing a CV for a specific job requires tailoring your document to match the requirements and expectations of that particular role. A generic CV may fail to highlight your most relevant qualifications, but tailoring it shows you’ve put thought into the application and understand the role’s requirements.vHere are five simple steps to adapt your master CV into a job-specific one.
1. Research the job and company
Taking the time to research the job and company before customising your CV is a crucial step in creating a strong application. Start by closely studying the job description to identify the skills, qualifications, and experiences they value most in candidates. This can reveal what to prioritise in your CV. Additionally, exploring the company’s values, mission statement, and culture can provide deeper insight into their expectations.
2. Highlight relevant skills and achievements
Tailor your work experience and skills sections to the role’s requirements. For example, if a job requires leadership, include quantifiable examples of team management. Learn more about how to write the work experience section on a CV to position yourself as the right fit for the role.
3. Use keywords from the job description
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are often the first to review your CV, screening it for specific keywords before it reaches a hiring manager. To increase your chances of success, incorporate exact phrases from the job posting, such as "budget management" or "client relationship building." However, tailoring your CV isn’t just for ATS purposes. Hiring managers and recruiters also rely on well-organised, clearly written CVs to quickly identify your suitability for the role. Using precise, job-specific language helps ensure your key qualifications stand out, making a strong impression on both systems and people.
4. Include relevant qualifications
Listing your certifications and education is a key way to strengthen your CV and align it with the job requirements. Qualifications showcase not only your technical knowledge and expertise but also your commitment to personal and professional development. Hiring managers often check these sections first to confirm you meet the baseline criteria for the role. For example, a certification in project management or a degree in marketing instantly signals your suitability for related positions. Including relevant qualifications also allows you to highlight recent training or specialised courses that may set you apart from other candidates.
5. Tailor your personal profile
Your CV’s personal profile is often the first section hiring managers read. Tailor it to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the role. Include soft skills and 1 or 2 career or study highlights to catch the attention of recruiters. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to switch things up for each application – it proves you’re the perfect fit for that specific role and company.
Example for a marketing role:
"Creative marketing professional with 5 years of experience in content creation, analytics, and campaign strategy. Adept at using data insights to craft audience-driven campaigns that achieve measurable success."
Example of a job-specific CV
For more examples of tailored CV, explore our CV examples.
Create a tailored CV in just a few steps
Key takeaways
Taking the time to create a master CV and tailoring it for each application can significantly improve your chances of success. A well-structured, relevant CV not only showcases your expertise but also displays your attention to detail – an attribute highly valued by employers.
If you're feeling stuck, try CVMaker’s professional CV templates or AI-enhanced CV builder to get started. And remember, your CV isn’t just a document; it’s your key to unlocking new career possibilities.
Dos
Use a clear format
Include a compelling personal profile
Highlight key achievements
Tailor your CV to the job description
Don'ts
Use generic language
Exaggerate or embellish content
Forget relevant information
Make it too long
Forget to proofread
Next steps?
With the right approach, your CV and cover letter can open doors to exciting career opportunities in various sectors. So, start the CV writing process today, and watch your career prospects soar. Alternatively, refer to our CV examples or CV Writing Services for more information.
FAQs
Should a CV be tailored to a job?
Yes, a CV should be tailored to a job. Tailoring involves highlighting the most relevant qualifications, experiences, and skills that match the specific job requirements and company culture, making you a stronger candidate.
How do you align a CV with a job description?
To align a CV with a job description, carefully review the job posting to identify key skills and qualifications sought by the employer. Then, emphasise your relevant experiences and accomplishments that directly align with those requirements in your CV.
How much of your CV should match the job description?
Ideally, as much as possible, especially in terms of skills, qualifications, and relevant experience. Tailoring your CV to closely mirror the job posting can increase your chances of being selected for an interview.
Should you always tailor your CV?
Yes! Tailoring shows employers you’ve put thought into your application and are genuinely interested in the position.
How much of your CV should be customised?
At least 70%-80%, particularly the skills, achievements, and personal profile sections.
