1. Own Your Story — Gaps and All

Career breaks for childcare, caregiving, or other life events are common, and they shouldn't be hidden or downplayed. Instead, frame these periods positively:

✅ Mention relevant skills developed (time management, conflict resolution, multitasking).
✅ Include freelance, volunteer, or part-time work if applicable.
✅ Use a functional CV format if it helps highlight skills over chronology.

Tip: Consider adding a short “Career Break” entry in your experience section with a brief description of what you did and learned during that time.

2. Start with a Powerful Personal Statement

Your personal statement is the headline of your CV. Make it confident, clear, and tailored to the role you're targeting.

✅ Focus on your strengths and what you bring to the table.
✅ Highlight your values and career goals — especially if you’re aiming for a culture fit.
✅ Avoid overused phrases like “hard-working” or “team player” without evidence.

Example: "Results-driven marketing professional with 7+ years’ experience in digital campaigns, known for data-informed strategies and mentoring junior teams to success."

3. Quantify Your Achievements

Instead of simply listing duties, show impact by using numbers and outcomes. This builds credibility and shows employers exactly what you’ve accomplished.

✅ “Increased customer retention by 25% in 6 months”
✅ “Led a team of 5 and delivered projects 2 weeks ahead of schedule”
✅ “Managed a budget of £100K with 98% cost efficiency”

Numbers tell a story. Don’t be shy about your successes!

4. Avoid Underselling Yourself

Women are more likely to downplay their abilities — don’t fall into that trap. Use strong action verbs and take full credit for your achievements.

❌ Avoid: “Assisted with managing social media”
✅ Try: “Managed and grew Instagram following by 40% over 4 months”

Confidence is not arrogance — it’s clarity about your value.

5. Tailor, Tailor, Tailor

A generic CV won’t cut it. Always tailor your CV to each job description.

✅ Use keywords from the job ad
✅ Highlight the most relevant experience first
✅ Mirror the tone and language of the company where appropriate

Create a master CV, then tweak it for each application to save time.

6. Highlight Transferable Skills

If you’re changing industries or roles, emphasize transferable skills like communication, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability.

✅ Showcase how your past experience aligns with the new role
✅ Use a “Skills Summary” or “Core Competencies” section for clarity

7. Keep Design Clean and Professional

✅ Use a simple, readable font like Calibri or Arial
✅ Stick to a clean layout with clear headings and bullet points
✅ Avoid photos unless specifically requested

A polished CV shows professionalism and attention to detail.

8. Include a Link to Your LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is a dynamic extension of your CV.

✅ Make sure it matches your CV
✅ Ask for recommendations
✅ Highlight projects and additional qualifications

9. Don’t Forget Soft Skills — But Back Them Up

Soft skills like empathy, collaboration, and resilience are valuable, but always pair them with examples.

✅ “Built cross-functional relationships to deliver a high-impact project”
✅ “Managed client expectations with diplomacy and professionalism”

10. Proofread (Then Ask a Friend to Proofread Again)

✅ Check for typos, formatting errors, and inconsistencies
✅ Ask someone else to read it — a fresh set of eyes can spot things you miss
✅ Save it as a PDF to preserve formatting

Final Thoughts

Writing a CV as a woman means more than listing jobs — it’s about presenting your whole self with pride. Whether you’re pivoting, re-entering, or stepping into leadership, your experience is valid, your skills are valuable, and your voice deserves to be heard.

You’re more qualified than you think.