Whether you are stepping into recruitment for the first time or you are an experienced consultant considering a move, your CV is your chance to show you understand the pace, standards and expectations of the industry. We review hundreds of CVs every week, and the strongest ones all follow the same principles.
Here are our top tips to help your CV stand out at any stage of your recruitment career.
The Do’s
Keep it clean and simple
A clear, easy-to-read layout shows confidence and professionalism. Use crisp headings, consistent spacing and clear sections.
Start with a punchy profile
Your opening summary should tell us something real about you.
Great examples:
- New to recruitment: “Motivated, target-driven professional with experience in customer-facing roles and strong communication skills.”
- Experienced recruiter: “Senior consultant with X years’ experience in [sector], consistently hitting targets and building long-term client relationships.”
Tailor it every time
Adjust your CV so it aligns with the role you are applying for. For new starters, emphasise transferable skills such as sales, resilience and relationship building. Experienced recruiters should highlight performance metrics, client wins and sector knowledge.
Show your impact
Instead of listing responsibilities, focus on achievements:
- “Consistently exceeded KPIs by X per cent”
- “Generated £X monthly GP through new business development”
- “Managed a portfolio of X candidates with a Y per cent placement success rate”
Numbers demonstrate real results.
Make your experience easy to scan
Use bullet points, bold job titles and short sentences. List your most recent roles first so hiring managers can quickly see your current level and expertise.
The Don’ts
Don't make it your autobiography
Focus on relevant roles. If you are experienced, older jobs can be trimmed or removed. If you are new, include roles that demonstrate transferable skills.
Don't leave unexplained gaps
Career breaks are fine, but unexplained gaps raise questions. A simple line like “Career break – travel/study/parenting” is enough.
Check your dates
Recruiters always cross-check CVs with LinkedIn. Make sure your roles and dates match.
Don't get creative with job titles
Use standard job titles so your experience is immediately clear and searchable.
Bonus tips from Park Avenue
- Name your file clearly: “Firstname Lastname CV”
- Keep it to one or two pages
- Save as a PDF to preserve formatting
- Remove roles before 2010 unless they are directly relevant
And finally…
Your CV does not need to be flashy. It just needs to be clear, confident and relevant. Whether you are starting in recruitment or moving to a new agency, following these tips will help you make a strong first impression.
