Refine your Resume

We sat down with our Senior Recruitment Consultant, Bindy Williams-Lough, to get her insights as to what makes a good resume. From common mistakes she regularly sees to small tweaks that can make a big difference, these are insights she often discusses with candidates.

Here’s what Bindy had to say…

1. Why keeping your CV up-to-date matters, even if you’re not actively job hunting.

You never know what opportunity might pop up. I often speak to candidates who aren’t actively looking, but then the perfect role appears and suddenly they’re scrambling to pull a CV together.

Keeping your CV updated means your latest achievements, promotions and key projects are already captured while they’re fresh in your mind. In fashion especially, roles move quickly and brands often want to interview fast. If your CV already highlights things like successful campaigns, range launches, sales growth or new category development, you’re in a much better position to move quickly.

2. What are the most common CV mistakes that could be holding you back and how to fix them fast.

The biggest one I see is a CV that’s too long and lists everything someone has ever done. We and our clients simply don’t have time to read five pages.
Another common mistake is putting your oldest experience first. CVs should always be in reverse chronological order so employers can see what you’re doing now.
And something people forget, we will always check LinkedIn against your CV. If your titles or dates don’t match, it raises questions. Keeping everything aligned is really important.

3. Your top 3 tips for making your CV stand out in today’s competitive market.

• Keep it clear and easy to read. Clients want to quickly see your job titles, tenure and the brands or companies you’ve worked for.

• Focus on achievements, not just tasks. Anyone can list responsibilities. What stands out is what you achieved, whether that’s growing a category, launching a range, improving sell-through or running a successful campaign.

• Highlight relevant experience first. Bring the most relevant experience to the top so the reader immediately understands why you’re a fit.

4. Quick ways to make your CV more impactful without rewriting the whole thing.

Cut it back to the basics. Focus on a few strong bullet points in your most recent roles that explain what you do and your standout achievements.
Anything older than about 10 years doesn’t need a lot of detail, just include the job title, company and dates.
Adding even one measurable achievement per role can make a big difference.

5. One simple tweak you can do today that instantly improves your CV.

Take a few minutes to tidy up the layout. Tools like Canva make it really easy to create a clean, polished CV, which can make a big difference if you’re applying for marketing or creative roles. Otherwise, always ensure you export your CV as a sharp-looking PDF using one of Word’s newer templates so it feels professional and easy to read. Older CVs get lost at the bottom of the pile.

Whether you’re actively exploring new opportunities or simply keeping things ticking over, a strong, up-to-date CV is one of the most valuable tools you can have in your career toolkit.

As Bindy highlights, it’s often the smallest changes that make the biggest impact, from refining your achievements to ensuring your layout is clean and current. Taking the time to invest in your CV now means you’ll be ready to move quickly and confidently when the right role comes along.

If you’re unsure where to start or want a second pair of eyes, FRAME HR is always here to help.