PROJECT JOB

How to Structure a CV so That It Gets Read

Here’s a proven process for structuring your CV/Resume

Photo by Bethany Legg on Unsplash

Introduction

I read hundreds of CVs yearly for senior agile, project, programme and product roles, and through the process, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. With a large global team, my leaders and I have to hire good quality every time, and the CV is the first thing we see of a person.

Although I also see a cover letter, they are now almost always written by AI and are too perfect to be true. AI can’t make up your life in the way that a cover letter can sound compelling, so your CV remains your shop window.

Here, I’ll show you what consistently works and answer some of the questions I receive about CVs. If you have any, please contact me, and I’ll update this article.

Who or what reads my CV?

Your CV may be your shop window, but it has two different audiences.

Your first audience is human:

• An agency or employer recruiter. Without knowing much about the job, they will want to quickly work out whether to put your CV to the hiring manager.
• A sifter or hiring manager. They will want to know whether to spend…