Essential tips to optimise your CV for a career change
Optimise your CV with expert tips on formatting, personal statements, skills, and experience to make a lasting impression on potential employers.
Whether you're shifting to a tech role or diving into project management, optimising your CV is a crucial step. With insights from our Career Services experts, these tips will help you craft a CV that captures attention, highlights transferable skills, and makes a lasting first impression on employers.
Written by
Chelsey Murray is a dedicated Careers Services Consultant at Learning People, bringing a wealth of recruitment experience and deep expertise in the tech and project management job markets.
Choose the right CV format
With just 6-17 seconds to make an impact, your CV format is essential. Career changers should aim for a streamlined, visually clear format that highlights relevant skills and experience. Keep your CV to two pages and use a clean, sans-serif font like Arial or Calibri for readability. Using consistent font styles, with body text at 10-12 points and section titles just a bit larger, will make your CV easy to scan while ensuring it remains professional.
Remember, an overly elaborate design can be misinterpreted by HR systems that parse CVs automatically, so maintain simplicity and consistency in your layout.
Craft a targeted personal statement
Your personal statement acts as an elevator pitch for your CV, especially impactful for those changing careers. In 4-6 sentences, outline your background, qualifications, and the role you're targeting. Emphasise relevant certifications and transferable skills that align with the industry you’re moving into, whether it’s tech or project management. Tailoring this section to each job application can make a meaningful difference in connecting with potential employers.
Highlight transferable skills effectively
Career changers often bring valuable transferable skills. In your core skills section, showcase both hard skills, like coding, project management tools, or data analysis, as well as soft skills, such as communication and problem-solving. For those entering tech roles, mention specific proficiencies like software languages or data analytics platforms. For project management roles, spotlight abilities in planning, teamwork, and conflict resolution.
Balancing technical and interpersonal skills demonstrates adaptability and appeal across industries, helping employers see your potential for success in a new field.
Structure work experience for impact
The work experience section should be organised clearly, with each job role summarised in 4-6 concise bullet points. Begin each bullet with a strong action verb like "led," "managed," or "developed," which conveys impact and responsibility. Prioritise achievements that showcase your transferable skills and demonstrate measurable success in each role. For instance, project management aspirants might highlight past experiences coordinating teams or managing budgets, while tech role applicants might emphasise project completion or system improvements.
Include additional information that adds value
Adding a section for personal interests or non-work achievements can set you apart. This is an opportunity to show employers your well-rounded character and may even provide a memorable talking point in interviews. For example, if you’re learning a new programming language or volunteering in a project-related role, include this to demonstrate initiative and commitment.
Make your CV job-ready
Optimising your CV for a career change will increase your chances of standing out in a competitive market. By following these tips and focusing on CV structure, relevant skills, and clarity, you can create a CV that effectively conveys your readiness for a new role in tech or project management. For more personalised CV advice, get in touch with our Career Services experts to maximise your employment potential after your studies.