Each week at Headstar, our team of consultants scan through hundreds of CVs from senior finance professionals. Do they read them word for word? No. And honestly, most recruiters and hiring managers don’t either.
But your CV? It’s still one of the most important tools in your job search. It can be the difference between landing an interview… or never hearing back.
So, how do you stand out? Here are four things our team consistently looks for.
Make It Personal
Your personal profile should sound like you.
If you’re an FD with a manufacturing background and a history of system implementations – say that.
If you’re a CFO with PE experience and multiple successful exits – say that.
Generic summaries don’t help. Be specific. Be clear.
Give Context
Give context for each role. List turnover, EBITDA, employee headcount. Say whether the company is PE-backed, privately owned, or listed. And remember to say what the business actually does.
It doesn’t need to be long. But being FD of a £2m business is very different to a £200m one. That context matters.
Show Achievements, Not Just Duties
Separate your responsibilities from your achievements. Give a quick introduction, such as, “Reporting to Group CFO, leading a team of 5.”
Then use bullet points to focus on what you delivered: cost savings, efficiencies, restructures. Back it up with real examples. That’s what grabs attention.
Don’t Obsess Over Page Count
Don’t worry about the 2-page rule. That’s a bit of a myth. Short and snappy is great – but anything under 4 pages is absolutely fine.
Over 4? You’re probably giving the impression that you go on a bit – and let’s be honest, it’s not getting read.
Focus your CV on the most recent, most relevant parts of your career. Realistically, hiring managers are more interested in what you’ve done in the past six years than what you did decades ago. Cut down the detail in your early roles, but do keep them listed.
And remember: the first page is where attention is won or lost.
In summary, your CV is meant to be skim-read. So, make it easy on the eye, and simple to understand:
- Who are you? What do you specialise in?
- Is your background relevant to the size and industry of the role you’re applying for?
- How often have you moved jobs?
- Have you made a significant impact in the roles you’ve been in?
Get those things right – and you’re already ahead of most.
