The Shortlist Lane blog

CV writing tips & career advice.

Practical, evidence-based guidance on getting shortlisted — no myths, no "beat the bot" nonsense. Written by the people who write the CVs.

CV Tips · Featured

7 reasons your CV isn't getting interviews (and how to fix them)

Most CVs that go quiet share the same fixable problems. Here are seven common reasons your CV isn't getting interviews — and how to fix each one.

2 min read
SL
CV Tips

Common CV mistakes to avoid (UK)

The CV mistakes that quietly cost interviews — from vague profiles to duty-listing and formatting that breaks ATS. What to fix, and how, in plain terms.

3 min read
CV Tips

How to write your CV after redundancy (UK)

Redundancy is common and not a mark against you. How to update your CV after redundancy, whether to mention it, and how to handle the gap with confidence.

3 min read
CVs by Role & Sector

How to write a customer service CV (UK guide)

A customer service CV should prove you keep customers happy and problems solved. How to structure a UK customer service CV and evidence your impact.

3 min read
ATS & Formatting

PDF or Word: which CV file format should you use?

PDF keeps your layout intact; some ATS and recruiters prefer Word. How to choose the right CV file format for each application — without overthinking it.

2 min read
CV Tips

Should you include references on your CV?

In the UK you rarely need references on your CV. Why "references available on request" wastes space, when to include them, and how to handle referees well.

2 min read
CV Tips

How much should a CV cost in the UK?

UK CV writing ranges from about £50 to £400+. Here's what drives the price, what each tier gets you, and how to judge value rather than just cost.

2 min read
ATS & Formatting

How to make your CV ATS-friendly: the honest guide

'ATS-friendly' is wrapped in a lot of fear and myth. Here's what an applicant tracking system actually does — and the simple formatting choices that keep your CV readable.

2 min read
CV Tips

How to tailor your CV to a job description (with a worked example)

Tailoring is the difference between a CV that gets read and one that gets filed. A simple, honest method for matching your CV to any job advert — with an example.

2 min read
Cover Letters & LinkedIn

How to write a cover letter that actually gets read (UK)

Most cover letters are skipped because they repeat the CV. How to write a short, targeted UK cover letter that answers one question: why you, for this role.

2 min read
CV Tips

How long should a UK CV be?

Two pages is the usual UK answer — but length should follow relevance. How to judge the right CV length for graduates, professionals and senior candidates.

2 min read
CV Tips

What recruiters actually look at in the first 10 seconds

A recruiter's first pass takes seconds. Here's what they actually look at in those first 10 seconds — and how to make sure your strongest points are in view.

2 min read
Career Change

How to write a career-change CV (UK guide)

Changing career is a positioning problem, not an experience problem. How to reframe your skills into a focused career-change CV that makes your move make sense.

2 min read
CVs by Role & Sector

How to write a graduate CV when you have little experience

With little work history, a graduate CV has to show potential. How to turn education, projects and part-time work into a credible, interview-winning graduate CV.

2 min read
Cover Letters & LinkedIn

LinkedIn profile vs CV: how they should differ

Your LinkedIn profile and CV do related but different jobs. Why copying one into the other wastes both — and how to get each right.

2 min read
CV Tips

CV vs resume: what UK employers expect

If you've read US-focused advice, you may be optimising for the wrong document. The UK conventions for a CV differ in a few ways worth knowing.

2 min read
CVs by Role & Sector

Tech, product and data CV guide

Technical CVs fail when they read like a tools list or bury impact under jargon. How to make technical work legible and relevant to the role.

2 min read
ATS & Formatting

ATS myths that waste your time

A lot of CV advice about applicant tracking systems is fear dressed up as expertise. Here are the ATS myths worth ignoring — and what actually helps.

2 min read
CVs by Role & Sector

Project manager CV: example and guide

A strong project manager CV proves what you delivered, at what scope, and how you handled people and risk. How to structure it — with an example.

2 min read
CV Tips

What to expect from a professional CV writer

Never used a CV service? Here's what a good one actually gives you for the money — from intake to editable files and an honest revision policy.

2 min read
Career Change

Transferable skills: how to frame them without overclaiming

Transferable skills are the heart of a career change — but vague claims are easy to dismiss. How to evidence your skills honestly so they actually land.

2 min read
CVs by Role & Sector

Operations manager CV guide

Operations roles are about making things run better. How to show scale, process improvement and people leadership with evidence on your CV.

2 min read
CV Tips

Duties vs outcomes: rewriting weak CV bullets

The fastest way to lift a CV is to turn duty statements into outcomes. How to spot weak bullets and rewrite them — with a simple structure.

2 min read
CVs by Role & Sector

NHS and public sector CV guide

Public sector and NHS applications follow different conventions to private-sector roles. How to match the person specification and evidence the criteria.

2 min read
CV Tips

How to write CV achievements when you don't have numbers

Not every achievement comes with a tidy percentage — and that's fine. How to write strong, credible CV bullets without inventing metrics.

2 min read
CVs by Role & Sector

How to write a teacher CV (UK guide)

A teaching CV has to evidence impact in the classroom, not just list duties. How to structure a UK teacher CV, from your profile and QTS to pupil progress.

2 min read
CVs by Role & Sector

How to write a registered nurse CV (UK guide)

A nursing CV must show clinical competence, NMC registration and care. How to structure a UK registered nurse CV and evidence your skills honestly.

2 min read
CVs by Role & Sector

How to write an accountant or finance CV (UK guide)

A finance CV should evidence accuracy, systems and the value you add. How to structure a UK accountant or finance CV around qualifications and impact.

2 min read
CVs by Role & Sector

How to write a sales CV (UK guide)

A sales CV lives on numbers — targets, revenue and growth. How to structure a UK sales CV that proves performance without vague buzzwords.

2 min read
CVs by Role & Sector

How to write an administrator or office manager CV (UK guide)

Admin CVs must show reliability, organisation and the value of smooth operations — often without obvious numbers. How to structure and evidence yours.

2 min read
CV Tips

How to explain a career gap on your CV (UK)

Career gaps are common and rarely the problem people fear. How to handle a gap on your CV honestly and briefly — and when you need to explain it at all.

2 min read
CV Tips

How to write a CV personal statement (with examples)

Your personal statement is the first thing read on your CV. How to write a short, specific profile that positions you for the role — with examples.

2 min read
CV Tips

Should you put a photo on your UK CV?

For almost all UK jobs, the answer is no. Why photos are best left off a UK CV, the rare exceptions, and what to include instead.

2 min read
No posts in this category yet.
Reading is good. A second opinion is better.

Want eyes on your actual CV?

Send it over for a free, human review. We'll tell you what's working, what isn't, and whether we can help.

Get your free CV review

Download our free ATS-safe CV checklist  ·  See a before & after sample