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Crafting the perfect CV can feel overwhelming, especially in today’s job market. With redundancies rising and competition fiercer than ever, presenting a polished CV is essential. Your CV isn’t just a record of your experience—it’s your ticket to an interview. Whether you’re applying for a fashion role or any other industry, a sharp CV helps you stand out and proves why you’re the right fit.

Drawing from over 10 years of experience in design, here’s how I shape a CV that not only gets noticed but opens doors.

Why CVs Matter More Than Ever

Think of your CV as your professional handshake—it’s your first impression. A well-crafted CV makes it clear what you bring to the table and why you’re worth sitting down for an interview. Hiring managers are often pressed for time, so your CV needs to quickly capture their attention and showcase your experience in a structured, professional way.

Unfortunately, many people underestimate how small missteps—like wasted space, vague wording, or poor layouts—can send the wrong message. Let’s talk about how to avoid these errors while creating a CV that shines.

Common CV Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced professionals can make CV blunders that hurt their chances. Here are the most common pitfalls:

• Skill bars that sell you short: Skills should speak for themselves; bar charts only give the impression you’re not confident.
• Wasted white space: A clean CV is great, but too much empty space looks like you’re lacking substance.
• Over-designing: A CV isn’t an art project. Fancy layouts often distract from the information that matters most.
• Irrelevant details: Keep the focus on what’s important. Personal social media links or unnecessary flair detract from your professionalism.

The key is to balance clarity with content. Let’s tackle what works and what doesn’t when it comes to layout and structure.

The Role of a Strong Layout

Hiring managers want a CV they can skim quickly without confusion. A good layout ensures your experience, skills, and achievements stand out. But it’s not just about looking “pretty.” A solid layout reinforces your professionalism and shows that you’ve put thought into presenting yourself.

Below, let’s go through some CV examples to underline what works—and what doesn’t.

Example 1: The Over-Condensed CV

This CV style relies on minimalism: structured lines, clean spacing, and a basic format. At first glance, it looks neat and easy to read. But when you dig into the content, it’s clear that something’s missing—depth.

Strengths:

• Structured design with clear sections for personal info, work experience, education, and skills.
• A profile section that introduces the applicant.

Weaknesses:

• Over-simplicity. A short paragraph per job isn’t enough to describe responsibilities or achievements.
• Skill bars undercut the applicant’s strengths. For example, claiming only “70% proficiency” in software like Illustrator sends a mixed message and leaves doubts about expertise.

To fix this, don’t sell yourself short. Expand on your experience with a mix of paragraphs and bullet points, emphasising accomplishments. Skip the bars entirely—they don’t add any real value.

Example 2: Over-Designed CV with Wasted Space

The second style overshadows content with unnecessary bells and whistles. For example, a large block of black space down the side might look artistic, but it doesn’t serve a purpose other than to fill gaps. This layout also condenses key information into narrow sections, leading to something that looks stylish but lacks substance.

Strengths:

• Creative formats can stand out, especially in industries like fashion.
• This CV mentions creative software skills, something missing in the first example.

Weaknesses:

• Wasted space leaves the impression that the applicant doesn’t have much to showcase.
• Skill bars appear again here, and once again, they raise questions rather than inspire confidence.

A CV focused too heavily on aesthetics risks being skipped over. Save the creativity for your portfolio—your CV should remain professional.

Example 3: A Balanced CV… Almost

The third CV style strikes a better balance. Its layout is simpler, easier to read, and contains more detailed information than the first two. However, it still leaves room for improvement by leaving empty spaces that could be better utilised with meaningful content.

Strengths:

• A clean and professional design with sections for jobs, education, and personal details.
• Includes three job positions, showcasing relevant experience.

Weaknesses:

• Still features too much white space, which can give the impression of lacking qualifications.
• Mentions social media links, like Instagram and Facebook, which aren’t needed unless directly relevant.

If this CV was packed with more content, it would work well. Skip irrelevant details like personal social links unless they’re an essential part of the role (e.g., social media management).

Building a CV That Works

After years of refining my own CV, I’ve landed on an approach that works brilliantly. Here’s how I structure it and why:

Start with Strong Contact Information

This section should stay simple—nothing flashy. Include:

• Full name
• Address (city and postcode are enough)
• Phone number
• Email

You don’t need to go overboard with details here. Avoid adding unnecessary personal links unless it’s something like a professional LinkedIn profile. Even then, make sure it’s polished and up-to-date.

A Powerful Profile Section

Writing a great profile is crucial. Think of it as your elevator pitch—a concise summary of who you are and what you offer. Here’s an example from my own CV:

“I’m a passionate, enthusiastic designer with over 9 years of experience designing multiple product areas for both high-end designer brands and high-street retailers. Creative and energetic, I find inspiration from the latest catwalk trends and translate them into commercial designs. Hardworking and friendly, I believe I can add value to any team while embracing new challenges in fashion design.”

When crafting yours, focus on:

• Highlighting your most relevant strengths.
• Using action words like “passionate,” “hardworking,” or “creative.”
• Including keywords tailored to the role or industry.

Detail Employment History Effectively

This section should be packed with information. For every job, I include:

• Job title and company name.
• Dates of employment.
• A brief description of the role (1–2 sentences).
• Bullet points of responsibilities and key achievements.

For example:
Job Title: Outerwear Designer
Company: XYZ Design Co.
Duration: Jan 2018 – Nov 2020
Key Responsibilities and Achievements:

• Designed seasonal collections across tailoring and outerwear, leading to a 20% increase in sales year-on-year.
• Presented trend forecasts to buyers, ensuring designs aligned with market demands.
• Worked closely with Far East factories to develop high-quality samples within tight deadlines.

Always focus on measurable results—like boosting sales or cutting costs. If you’ve achieved something significant, make sure it stands out.

Education: Keep It Simple Yet Specific

List your education in reverse chronological order. Include your degree, institution name, and graduation year. If applicable, add any honours, awards, or relevant coursework.

Here’s an example:
BA (Hons) Fashion Design
University of the Arts, London
Graduated: 2013

Skills That Say Something

Use this section to shout about your technical expertise and practical skills. Forget skilful bars—list tools and programs you’re proficient in, along with standout capabilities.
For example:

• Advanced Illustrator, Photoshop, and CAD skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of leather grades and their applications.
• Skilled in technical packs and managing critical paths.

Achievements Are Key

Adding a section for achievements transforms your CV from good to brilliant. Include anything quantifiable, such as generating revenue or improving systems. For instance:

“Led the development of a new single-sock product line, generating £45,000 in incremental sales within its first season.”

References Available Upon Request

There’s no need to include details of your references on the CV itself. Simply write “References available upon request.” This keeps things professional while respecting the privacy of your referees.

Tailoring Your CV to Specific Roles

The best CVs aren’t one-size-fits-all. Tailor yours to highlight the most relevant experience, depending on the job you’re applying for. Study the job description closely, noting any key phrases or skills, and work them into your CV naturally.

If you’re struggling to build sections, look at job listings in your industry for inspiration. Reflect on what you’ve done and craft descriptions that match the role while staying truthful.

Your CV is a critical tool, but it’s only the first step. The goal isn’t just to get noticed—it’s to get in the room. Pair your CV with a well-prepared portfolio (if applicable) and make sure you’re ready to bring your personality to the interview.

Remember, your CV isn’t just about showing off skills; it’s about showing why you’re the right fit. So keep it concise, professional, and packed with value.