Expert Answers to the Most Common CV Questions (2025 UK Edition)

When it comes to writing a CV, even experienced professionals often have questions about what recruiters actually want to see. From CV length to formatting, mistakes, and tailoring, the details matter more than most people realise.

Below, our executive CV writers in the UK answer the most common questions we hear from clients — and share practical tips to make your CV stand out in 2025.

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How long should my CV be?

Your CV should be as long as necessary to highlight achievements — but no longer. Think of it as your highlight reel, not a full documentary.

• Students / under 10 years’ experience: Aim for 1 page.

• Mid-career professionals: 1–2 pages, depending on responsibilities.

• Executives: 2 pages is typical. Three pages is acceptable only for highly complex careers (e.g. multiple board positions, international portfolios).

The goal is not to list everything you’ve ever done, but to pique interest and secure an interview. If recruiters want more detail, they’ll ask.

What’s the most common CV mistake?

The #1 mistake we see is sloppiness. At executive level, recruiters assume you’ve had time to get it right.

Common red flags include:

• Inconsistent fonts, spacing, or alignment

• Typos, grammar errors, poor punctuation

• “Claustrophobic” layouts with too much text

• Overly casual email addresses (john123@hotmail.com)

• Overlong documents that read like job descriptions

Recruiters spend 7–10 seconds scanning a CV. If they spot errors, you’ve lost credibility before your skills are even considered.

What’s the best CV format to use?

Always use a reverse chronological CV (most recent role first). It’s the format recruiters expect and the one that works best with ATS systems.

A functional CV (organised by skills instead of roles) is only suitable for students, very early career professionals, or those with major gaps. At executive level, it looks evasive.

Showcase skills through achievement-based bullet points within your roles. This way you provide proof, not just claims.

Do I need multiple versions of my CV?

Yes — tailoring matters.

If you’re applying for similar roles in the same sector (e.g. VP of Sales at different companies), one strong CV plus customised cover letters may be enough.

But if you’re applying across industries (e.g. finance and tech), you’ll need two versions of your CV. Each must highlight the skills and achievements most relevant to that field.

Recruiters can spot a “one-size-fits-all” CV instantly — and it’s usually the first to get rejected.

How do I make sure my CV is ATS-friendly?

With 95% of large UK companies now using ATS, formatting and keywords are critical. To optimise your CV for ATS:

• Use a clean, single-column format (no graphics, icons, or text boxes).

• Include keywords from the job description — naturally woven into bullet points, not dumped in a skills list.

• Spell out acronyms once (e.g. “Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)”) before using abbreviations.

• Use standard section headings recruiters expect: Professional Experience, Education, Certifications.

If your CV isn’t ATS-friendly, it may never reach a human recruiter — no matter how strong your experience is.

What should I eliminate from my CV to condense it?

Clarity is always stronger than quantity. Cut anything that doesn’t directly strengthen your candidacy. Start with:

• Professional summaries full of buzzwords (“dynamic leader with strong communication skills”).

• Objective statements (outdated in 2025).

• Bullet points for roles over 10 years old — summarise these in an Early Career section.

• Unrelated jobs or internships.

• Secondary school details (A-levels / GCSEs are rarely relevant for executives).

• Personal details (birthday, marital status, nationality — not required and can create bias).

• Irrelevant certifications or outdated technical skills.

How far back should my CV go?

Recruiters usually expect to see the past 10 years of work experience in detail. Anything older can be shortened into an Early Career section with just company, title, and dates.

Roles from 15+ years ago should only be included if they’re highly relevant to your current career trajectory. Otherwise, they risk cluttering your CV and diluting focus.

How do I address a CV gap?

The worst thing you can do is try to hide it. CV gaps are common in 2025, but dishonesty will backfire.

Instead:

• Be upfront with dates.

• Briefly explain the gap (parental leave, illness recovery, sabbatical, redundancy).

• Highlight constructive use of the time — volunteering, consulting, professional development, or even personal projects that demonstrate resilience and initiative.

Recruiters are increasingly open to career breaks — provided you frame them positively and show readiness to return.

Final Thoughts

Your CV is your personal brand on paper. In 2025, UK recruiters expect CVs to be achievement-driven, ATS-friendly, and free of fluff. By focusing on impact, clarity, and relevance, you’ll dramatically improve your chances of making the shortlist.

If you’re still not landing interviews, the issue may not be your career — it may be your CV. That’s where working with a professional CV writing service UK can give you the edge.

To find out more, visit our website www.cvpilots.co.uk If you have any further questions, you can either book a consultation call with one of our team, or get in touch via email on team@cvpilots.co.uk