The current market is a very challenging one.

More and more people are going through redundancy meaning unemployment is higher. 

People feel unsettled when they see this activity, so they’re actively seeking new roles before they are impacted too. 

For example, in March 2025 in the UK, the average time to start applying for a new job and secure one is 3.8 months.  

Bear in mind that this is the average, so for some it can be shorter and for others, much longer. 

AI is vetting applications through ATS software, meaning it’s looking for key words and in some cases, discounting CV’s for not having the right language.

The market is changing which means we have to change how we apply for jobs, and if you wish to stand out and have the best chances, you’ve got to tailor your CV. 

So what is the best way to do this? 

Here’s the end to end approach you should take in order to ensure your CV moves past the ATS software, out of the hands of recruiters and into the hands of the hiring managers. 

Start with getting your CV in the right format. 

This makes it simple for you to make these edits.  

A good CV has the following structure. 

• Bio/Personal Statement
• Skills section with short description of competency levels
• Work experience section
• Education

If your CV is formatted in this way, not only is it the industry standard, but it makes it easier to tweak it for each job you are applying for. 

Click here to see my free resources, where you’ll be able to download the CV Template that I use when writing successful CV’s for my clients. This outline will help you to get this right moving forward. 

Thoroughly Review the Job Description you’re applying for. 

You might be a Senior IT Project Manager applying for a Senior IT Project Manager vacancy so you think nothing needs to be tweaked, however, nothing could be further from the truth…you need to truly analyse the job description and determine what it is asking for and how you do/do not fit the description.  For example; 

• Do you have the industry experience that this role requires? For example, the vacancy is in the pharma industry.  It would be advantageous to highlight your experience in pharma if you have it, or highlight your ability to adapt to new industries if you don’t. 
• Is there specific niche experience that the role is asking for experience with?  For example, desirable experience working on HR Software implementations?  It would be useful to highlight your experience in that field, or if not HR software, mention software implementations. 
• What are the desirable and essential skills the role is asking for?  For example, it might be seeking strong PM experience in the tech sector with team leadership experience as desirable.  This helps you to understand that you should prioritise your PM experience and make it known that you have team leadership experience vs a CV that talks a lot about leadership. 

Start by editing your bio/personal statement. 

Here is a full blog I wrote previously on writing a strong bio.  Use this to have a good starting point. 

Your bio is the first introduction on your CV and it can make or break if people decide to read on.  

Based on the key roles and responsibilities in the job description, you should edit your bio so that it is telling the reader that you have the experience they’re looking for.

For example, if we know that the role is for a Senior IT Project Manager for a pharma company that seeks experience with HR software implementations and has team leadership experience, and you are a Senior IT Project Manager with software implementation and team leadership experience who has worked in multiple industries, your bio could read like this. 

A Senior IT Project Manager with over 10 years of experience leading complex, full-lifecycle technology projects across a diverse range of industries. Proven expertise in successfully delivering critical software implementations from initiation to go-live. Adept at leading cross-functional project teams, fostering collaboration, and ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives to deliver projects on time and within budget. Seeking to leverage robust project management skills and specific experience with software implementations to drive impactful HR software implementations within the dynamic pharmaceutical industry.

This bio clearly showcases how your experience is relatable to the role and shows how you understand the ask.  The hiring manager is intrigued by your profile and wants to read more. 

Reprioritise your skills and experience section. 

Here is a full blog I wrote previously on creating a skills section.  Use this to have a good starting point. 

Your skills section is your chance to show that you have got the key desirable skills and experience for the role. 

It enables the reader to determine how you met their needs and ultimately, this will decide if they want to read further and learn more about your work experience.

Review your skills and competency descriptions and check that the following has been considered. 

• Prioritise the essential skills to the top of the list of skills and move the desirable ones towards the bottom
• Check you and the job description are speaking the same language, for example, if your skill is People Management and the job description talks about Team Leadership, change it to Team Leadership
• Check your competency descriptions match the job description.  For example, if one of your skills is Stakeholder Management and the description talks about liaising with C-Suite level stakeholders, in the description, discuss how you have experience liaising across a diverse range of stakeholders including C-Suite level. 
• Keep it relevant – for example, if you have a skill listed which is not translatable whatsoever to the ask, consider removing it.  With a CV, less is always more. 

Amend your work experience section. 

Here is a full blog I wrote previously on creating a work experience and education section.  Use this to have a good starting point. 

The work experience is the story of how you have gained the experience you described in your bio and skills section.  

It’s important to prioritise the examples that match the job description so that you have the best chance of showcasing the experience needed for the role. 

In this example of the Senior IT Project Manager role in the Pharma industry seeking HR system implementation experience and team leadership experience, you should ensure that the description and bullet points you describe have examples that showcase this experience.  

For example,

Tech Solutions Inc. | Global Technology Consulting Firm | London, UK Senior IT Project Manager | January 2019 – December 2023

Directed the end-to-end lifecycle of large-scale IT transformation projects for diverse clients across regulated industries (including Financial Services and Healthcare). Responsible for project planning, resource allocation, budget management (up to £5M), risk mitigation, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring the successful delivery of complex software implementations and system integrations aligned with client strategic objectives.

Key Achievements & Responsibilities:

• Spearheaded the successful implementation of a new Information System for a major banking client, migrating data for over 10,000 employees, streamlining processes, and ensuring compliance with stringent data privacy regulations.

• Led and mentored diverse project teams of up to 15 personnel (including developers, analysts, testers, and third-party vendors) across multiple project engagements, fostering high-performance cultures and consistently achieving project milestones.

• Managed the integration of a new payroll module for a healthcare provider client, navigating complex technical dependencies and ensuring seamless data flow between systems post-go-live.

• Cultivated strong C-suite stakeholder relationships, providing regular progress updates, managing expectations, and facilitating key decisions to ensure project alignment with executive vision and business needs.

This demonstrates how the candidate has achieved the transferable skills to do the role, so whilst they are not the perfect match, you can see the complexity of the work they have completed to date.

A hiring manager might decide it’s worth meeting them to learn more and therefore progress them to interview, and remember, that is the key goal of submitting your CV! 

If you’d like to learn more about a hiring manager’s perspective when viewing CV’s, have a read through this blog and gain the perspective of a day in the life of one. 

Does this feel daunting for you?

It’s easy to feel a little bit overwhelmed by this activity so here’s some top tips to leave you with to help make it easier. 

Start with a great default CV that showcases your skills and experience in the best possible way.  

If you need help with this, get in touch to learn more about how I can write one for you. (DM me on LinkedIn also if that’s easier)

Use AI where possible to help you.  

If you are going to use AI, I always recommend using it for advice vs using it to write for you.  

When you get it to do it without the right prompts, it can often read very generically and not help you to stand out. 

For example, ask AI to review the job description and your CV and ask it to highlight what your key strengths and key gaps are, then use this info to tweak it yourself. 

Take your time and do this correctly. 

I am telling you now that if you invest the time to do this the right way vs simply sending the same template to multiple vacancies, your success rate will improve, so shift your focus to the quality of the CV vs the quantity of applications.  You’ll win with this method in the long term. 

Good luck with your application and if you need any further support, get in touch.