Writing a CV That Gets You Hired in 2026

Aim for 1–2 pages maximum. Hiring managers spend an average of 7 seconds scanning a CV. Put your strongest points first. Remove irrelevant experience and outdated skills. Every line should earn its place.

Generic CVs get generic results. Read the job description carefully and mirror its key terms. If they want 'project management,' make sure that phrase appears in your experience. Most companies now use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) that scan for keyword matches.

❌ 'Responsible for managing social media accounts' ✅ 'Grew Instagram following from 2K to 15K in 6 months, increasing engagement by 340%' Numbers and results grab attention. Use metrics wherever possible: percentages, revenue figures, team sizes, project timelines.

Open with 2–3 sentences that summarize who you are, your key strength, and what you bring. Avoid 'hardworking team player' clichés. Example: 'Digital marketing specialist with 4 years of experience driving ROI for Nigerian e-commerce brands. Increased organic traffic by 200% for a ₦50M revenue business.'

List 8–12 relevant skills. Match them to the job posting. Include both technical skills (Python, Google Analytics, Figma) and soft skills (stakeholder management, public speaking). Don't include Microsoft Word — everyone knows it.

1. Typos and grammatical errors — always proofread twice. 2. Using a Gmail address like 'smoothcriminal2005@gmail.com' — create a professional email. 3. Including a photo unless specifically asked (and definitely not a selfie). 4. Listing references on your CV — just say 'available upon request.' 5. Using fancy fonts or colours — keep it clean and readable.