Your CV is your first introduction to a potential employer, a snapshot of your skills, experience, and suitability for the role. At Nexi, we understand that a well-crafted CV plays a crucial role in opening the door to new career opportunities.
In this article, our Talent Acquisition team shares practical, experience-based advice on what makes an effective CV. This is the first part of a broader series where we’ll guide candidates through every stage of the recruitment process, from crafting an application to succeeding in interviews.
What Makes a Great CV?
Nexi recruiters review a high volume of applications each year across multiple markets and professional levels. Through this experience, they’ve identified several consistent elements that distinguish strong CVs from the rest.
① Tailor it to the Role
Effective CVs are always adapted to the specific position being applied for. This includes aligning your profile summary, listed skills, and experience with the requirements outlined in the job description. It shows recruiters that you’ve thoughtfully considered how your background fits the position.
② Use Data and Results
Recruiters value evidence of impact. Where possible, include quantifiable achievements to support your responsibilities. For example, “Managed a portfolio of 30+ clients, increasing revenue by 15% over 12 months” is more compelling than “Handled client accounts.”
③ Keep it Clear and Concise
A focused, well-structured CV is more likely to capture attention. Aim for one to two pages for most roles (up to three for senior-level positions), using bullet points for readability. Clarity and brevity help your key points stand out.
④ Include Relevant Tools and Certifications
Especially in technical and finance-related roles, it’s important to list software, platforms, or certifications that reflect your qualifications. This demonstrates your readiness for the role and helps recruiters quickly understand your technical competencies.
Emerging CV Trends and Recruiter Insights
In addition to general best practices, our recruiters have shared observations based on recent trends in candidate applications.
- Consistency with LinkedIn: recruiters often compare CVs with LinkedIn profiles to ensure alignment. Discrepancies in job titles, dates, or role descriptions can raise concerns. Make sure your CV and online presence tell a consistent story.
- Responsible Use of AI Tools: while AI tools like ChatGPT can support drafting or formatting a CV, recruiters frequently encounter placeholder text left in or overly generic content. Always review and personalize the final version to ensure it reflects your unique experience and voice.
- Tailoring by Role Type: effective CVs are tailored not just to the job description, but also to the expectations of the role type.
- For sales roles, emphasize performance metrics, targets achieved, and client growth.
- For technical roles, highlight specific technologies used, years of experience, and project outcomes.
- For graduate or early-career positions, focus on academic projects, relevant tools, and extracurricular involvement. Every role has its own expectations, showing you understand them improves your chances of progressing.
- Visual Presentation Matters: a professional and readable layout is essential. Use consistent fonts, clean formatting, and a logical structure to ensure information is easy to follow. While creativity can be a plus in design-focused roles, most positions benefit from a simple and polished appearance.
Common CV Mistakes to Avoid
Even strong candidates can be overlooked due to avoidable errors. Here are some of the most frequent missteps Nexi recruiters observe:
- Copy-pasting job descriptions without context or personalization
- Including vague, generic statements instead of concrete examples
- Listing outdated or irrelevant roles
- Sharing unnecessary personal information, such as marital status.
- Submitting documents in non-standard file formats (e.g., Pages or image files)
- Using rigid or overly standardised templates (often designed for academic or public-sector contexts) that may not match the expectations of international or private-sector employers
- Applying inconsistent or cluttered formatting
- Leaving placeholder text from AI-generated content
- Having mismatches between your CV and LinkedIn profile
What’s Next?
This article is part of our new content series aimed at helping candidates better prepare for opportunities at Nexi. In our next feature, we’ll explore how to prepare for interviews, including practical tips, common questions, and what our recruiters are looking for during those conversations.
In the meantime, take the time to review and refine your CV using the guidance above, and don’t forget to explore our current job openings if you're considering your next career move.
