Writing a CV in 2025 requires understanding modern recruitment technologies and evolving employer expectations. With the average time to hire now at 4.6 weeks and technology, automation, and remote work practices shaping hiring practices, your CV needs to be both ATS-friendly and human-readable.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through creating a CV that stands out in today's competitive job market whilst meeting the technical requirements of modern recruitment systems.
Clean, organised layouts are easier for ATS to read and for hiring managers to skim. Stick to a reverse chronological format, which remains the gold standard for executive CVs. Use a clean, straightforward format and avoid images and graphics to ensure compatibility with Applicant Tracking Systems.
Choose standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10-12 point size. These fonts are both ATS-friendly and professional.
Your personal statement should be a punchy 3-4 line summary positioned at the top of your CV. Focus on your core value proposition, key achievements, and what makes you unique as an executive candidate.
Include relevant keywords from the job description naturally within this section, as you need to integrate keywords from the job description naturally within your resume for ATS optimisation.
List your experience in reverse chronological order, including job title, company name, dates of employment, and location. For each role, include 3-5 bullet points highlighting your key achievements and responsibilities.
Use action verbs and power words to strengthen your writing and better describe your accomplishments. Always quantify your achievements with specific figures, percentages, or outcomes where possible.
With Applicant Tracking (ATS) Software expected to experience sustained growth, optimising your CV for these systems is crucial. Job seekers must adapt by not only optimising their résumés for applicant tracking systems but also maintaining readability for human recruiters.
Use standard section headings like "Professional Experience", "Education", and "Skills". Avoid headers, footers, and complex formatting that ATS systems struggle to read.
Create a dedicated skills section that includes both technical and soft skills relevant to your target role. Highlight your hard and soft skills prominently, using examples to demonstrate how they apply to the role.
In 2025, particularly emphasise digital skills, remote leadership capabilities, and change management expertise, as these remain highly valued by employers.
List your educational background in reverse chronological order, including degree type, institution, and graduation year. For executive roles, include relevant professional qualifications, certifications, and ongoing professional development.
If you have extensive experience, keep this section concise and focus on qualifications most relevant to your target role.
Use descriptive headings and bullet points, and ensure enough white space for a professional look. For executive roles, aim for 1-2 pages maximum, focusing on your most recent and relevant experience.
Remember that hiring managers typically evaluate resumes briefly, so every word must add value to your application.
Tailor your resume to each job application by customising keywords, emphasising relevant experience, and adjusting your personal statement to match the specific role requirements.
With 22% of business leaders struggling with sourcing high-quality candidates, a well-tailored CV that clearly demonstrates your fit for the role will significantly improve your chances.
Thoroughly proofread your CV for spelling, grammar, and formatting errors. Use consistent formatting throughout, with uniform bullet points, font sizes, and spacing.
Save your CV as a PDF to preserve formatting, but also keep a Word version available as some ATS systems prefer this format. Test your CV by copying and pasting it into a plain text document to ensure all information remains readable.
Beyond the fundamental steps, several trends are shaping CV writing in 2025. The minimalistic look continues to dominate, with employers preferring clean, scannable documents over elaborate designs.
Focus on showcasing remote work capabilities, digital transformation experience, and sustainability initiatives, as these themes remain prominent in executive recruitment. Remember to balance AI assistance with authentic personal voice in your CV content.
Writing an effective CV in 2025 requires balancing traditional best practices with modern technological requirements. By following this step-by-step guide and staying current with recruitment trends, you'll create a CV that successfully navigates ATS systems whilst compelling human recruiters to invite you for interview.