Your CV is more than just a document; it’s your professional story condensed into a single page (or two). In 2025, the CV game is no longer about listing everything you’ve ever done. It’s about curating a clean, impactful and modern presentation of your career journey. Here’s how to declutter your CV and make it stand out.
1. Skip overly creative job titles
While titles like “Digital Wizard” or “Content Ninja” may sound fun, they confuse recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS). Stick to standard titles such as “Digital Marketer” or “Software Engineer” that are easily recognisable in your industry.
Pro tip: If you have expertise in a niche, combine it with a standard title such as “Content Strategist | E-commerce Specialist” to highlight your focus.
2. Eliminate redundant project details
Collaborative projects are common, but recruiters want to see your unique contribution. Replace vague descriptions like “participated in website redesign” with specifics, such as
“Led the UX redesign for an e-commerce platform, increasing conversion rates by 18%.”
Pro tip: If it’s a team project, include your role percentage (e.g. My role: 40% – UX strategy and wireframing) for clarity.
3. Avoid the jargon dump
A laundry list of technical skills such as “Python, Tableau, SEO” without context won’t impress. Instead, describe how you used these skills to achieve results.
Better example: “Developed predictive models in Python that improved sales forecast accuracy by 22%.”
4. Trim irrelevant work experience
Your summer job from a decade ago may have sentimental value, but if it doesn’t align with your current goals, leave it out. Focus on roles that showcase relevant skills or achievements.
Pro tip: If an older job has transferable skills, rephrase it. For example, “Managed a team of five to deliver a community project on time and under budget” highlights leadership, even if the role was unrelated.
5. Ditch outdated educational details
If you’ve been working for more than five years, your GPA and detailed course listings are unnecessary. Instead, highlight recent professional development, such as certifications or workshops.
Pro tip: “Certified Scrum Master (2023)” or “Advanced Excel for Data Analysis Workshop (2024)” will carry more weight than your college electives.
6. Simplify your layout
An overly artistic CV may be eye-catching, but it can frustrate recruiters and ATS systems. Prioritise readability with clean fonts, logical headings and plenty of white space.
Pro tip: Save your creative flair for your portfolio. Your CV should be functional, not fancy.
7. Skip the software overload
Listing every piece of software you’ve ever touched will make your CV look cluttered. Employers assume you’ve mastered standard tools; instead, highlight the tools you’ve mastered and their impact.
Better example: “Used Figma to design interactive prototypes, reducing development cycles by 20%.”
8. Leave out personal photos
Including a photo on your CV is unnecessary and in some cases frowned upon. It could inadvertently introduce bias or confuse ATS software.
Pro tip: Instead of a photo, make sure your LinkedIn profile link is prominent and up-to-date.
9. Think strategically about interests
An interests section can humanise your CV, but make it count. Avoid generic hobbies such as ‘travelling’ or ‘watching films’. Instead, highlight interests that add value.
Pro tip: “Public speaking at local tech meetups – honed my communication and presentation skills”.
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Why decluttering works
Recruiters spend only a few seconds scanning each CV. By eliminating unnecessary clutter and focusing on concise, impactful content, you make their job easier – and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Now is the time to review your CV. Take a close look at each section and ask yourself Does this really add value? If not, clear it out – and let your brilliance shine through.