The Career Expert with Sarah Louise: September Success – CV writing in 2025 keep it simple and stand out

Have you wondered how to make your CV stand out in 2025?

With September here and the final quarter of the year underway, it’s the perfect time to refresh your CV and set yourself up for new opportunities this autumn, writes Sarah Louise MD, Impulse Recruitment.

The number one rule: keep it simple. Your CV should be one to two pages long, highlighting your most relevant experience, skills, and achievements. Employers don’t want to wade through unnecessary detail but they do want to see, quickly and clearly, why you are a strong fit for their role.

Start with a strong opening line at the top: “Reliable and dedicated candidate seeking a role in [industry], with [X years] of experience in [area].”

This gives hiring managers an instant snapshot of who you are.

From there, list your current or most recent role first (with job title, company, and dates).

Underneath, outline your key tasks and responsibilities.

Then, work backwards through your career history.

Make sure you include:

• Contact details

(phone and professional email).

• Education

(qualifications and relevant courses).

• Skills

(communication, teamwork, tech, etc.).

• Hobbies/interests

(keep it light and relevant).

• References

(either included or “available on request”).

A few golden rules: be honest, avoid exaggeration, check for errors, and ask a friend to proofread.

Employers notice small details! Do not forget your contact details!

Yikes the last thing you want is to not get to the next stage due to the employer having no way of contacting you

Finally, don’t overlook the value of a cover letter. Keep it short – three paragraphs is plenty – but use it to show enthusiasm, highlight why you’re interested, and how your skills match the role.

Think of your CV as a fishing hook: clear, targeted, and designed to catch the right employer’s attention.

This is your time to shine – so give it your all.

Happy job hunting this autumn! Catch me next month for more recruitment insights.