Tailoring a CV

A tailored CV doesn't invent anything; it chooses and arranges. A simple process:

1. Read the job description and mark its must-haves, repeated skills and key outcomes.
2. Rewrite your summary so its first line answers “why this role?”.
3. Reorder bullet points so the most relevant achievement in each job comes first, and cut ones that don't help.
4. Use the posting's terms where they're true — that's keyword optimization.
5. Check that your skills section covers what the role asks for, and that nothing claims more than you did.

For similar roles, the changes can be small; for a career change, they're bigger.

Sending the same CV to every job is quick, but it leaves the reader to work out why you fit. A recruiter who sees the role's priorities reflected in your first few lines — and an ATS that finds the right keywords — is more likely to move you forward. Tailoring takes time, so focus on the roles you want most, and keep a base CV you can adapt quickly.

Paste a posting into the JD matcher for a match score, strengths, gaps, missing keywords and 2–5 rewrites — suggestions only, never fabricated. Apply the ones you agree with by hand or with the assistant. Keep a tailored copy per role type (Standard 3 CVs, Premium 10), copying the sections you need, and draft a matching cover letter from the same posting. The JD matcher and cover letters are part of Premium.