Job hunting can be challenging. Recruiters often receive hundreds of CVs for each vacancy and spend just seconds reviewing each one. If you want your CV to stand out, it needs to be clear, tailored, and compelling.
At Jonathan Lee Recruitment, we work with candidates across engineering, manufacturing, and technology sectors every day. One of the most common frustrations we hear is the lack of detailed feedback after applications — while employers face the challenge of reviewing more CVs than ever before.
With a competitive job market and a shortage of highly skilled candidates in these sectors, making your CV work for you is more important than ever. Here are our five top tips for CV writing to help you get noticed and secure interviews.
1. Tailor Your CV for Each Role
A generic CV rarely stands out. Treat your CV as your personal marketing document — and adapt it for the role you’re applying for.
-
Review the job description and identify the key skills and experience required.
-
Highlight these skills early in your CV, especially in your personal summary.
-
Ensure your LinkedIn profile reflects the same strengths.
A tailored CV shows recruiters you understand the role and have the right skills to deliver results.
2. Keep Your CV Clear and Concise
Recruiters skim-read CVs, so presentation matters. A clean, concise CV will make it easier for them to identify your key strengths quickly.
-
Use bullet points to list responsibilities and achievements.
-
Avoid lengthy paragraphs and keep descriptions to the point.
-
Leave white space to improve readability, even if your CV extends to an extra page.
-
Proofread carefully to eliminate spelling and grammatical errors.
A well-presented CV is far more likely to make it to the interview stage.
3. Highlight Adaptability and Soft Skills
Employers want candidates who can adapt to change, solve problems, and contribute positively to the business.
-
Highlight examples of projects where you adapted to new challenges.
-
Mention training, certifications, or skills gained outside your usual role.
-
Demonstrate problem-solving ability, flexibility, and resilience.
These qualities are especially valuable in engineering and manufacturing, where change is constant.
4. Address Career Gaps Honestly
If you’ve had a break in your career, don’t leave it unexplained. Gaps in employment can raise questions if not addressed.
-
Be transparent about career breaks and briefly explain them.
-
Highlight any constructive activities during that time — such as training, volunteering, or personal projects.
-
Avoid embellishing; honesty builds trust with recruiters and employers.
Handled well, career gaps can actually strengthen your CV.
5. Let Your Personality Shine
Your CV should reflect who you are — not just what you’ve done.
-
Write a personal summary that reflects your strengths, interests, and professional identity.
-
Avoid clichés and generic phrases; be authentic.
-
Balance personality with professionalism to create a memorable impression.
Recruiters want to know not only what you can do, but who you are as a professional.
Final Thoughts
Your CV is your first opportunity to make an impression — and in competitive sectors such as engineering, manufacturing, and technology, making the right first impression matters. By tailoring your CV, keeping it clear, showcasing adaptability, explaining gaps, and showing your personality, you’ll increase your chances of standing out.
At Jonathan Lee Recruitment, we know what works. We can help you create a CV that gets noticed by leading employers.
🔗 Check our latest engineering and manufacturing roles here.
Share this blog post
