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From Blah to Brilliant: Resume & CV Writing Made Easy
- Alyssa Miller
- Sep 4
- 4 min read
Resume or CV — which one should you use? What should it include? And why does everyone seem to have a different answer?
If your brain is already doing backflips trying to figure it out, you’re not alone.
Think of your resume or CV as your career’s dating profile — it needs to be honest, attractive, and impossible to ignore. But before you start listing your greatest hits and humble brags, it’s important to know which format to use and how to make it shine.
We’re going to dive into this together and discuss the key differences between a resume and a CV, why a polished layout matters more than you think, and the do’s and don’ts that separate “meh” from “must-interview.”
Resume vs. CV: What’s the Difference?
We’ve all been there: you spot a great job posting, but then you see it — “Please send your CV.” Cue the panic. Do they really want a CV… or just a resume? Let’s clear it up.
Resume = Your Highlight Reel
Length: 1–2 pages
Focus: Tailored to each job you apply for
Content: Work experience, skills, education, and key accomplishments
Best for: Corporate roles, private sector jobs, and household staffing positions
📀Think of it as your “greatest hits” album — only the most relevant tracks make the cut.
CV = Your Full Story
Length: Often 2–5+ pages
Focus: A comprehensive record of your career
Content: Education, academic history, research, publications, professional experience
Best for: Academic, medical, scientific, or international roles
📖 This is the “uncut version” — everything you’ve done in your field, not just the highlights.
Quick Tip on Regional Differences
U.S.: “Resume” is the standard term
Europe & elsewhere: “CV” is often used to mean what Americans call a resume
So, if you’re applying overseas, double-check what they’re really asking for!
Why a Polished Resume Opens Doors
Think of your resume as your very first handshake with a recruiter or employer—it sets the tone before you even walk into the room. A clean, well-organized resume shows you pay attention to the details and take your professional image seriously. It can make the difference between landing an interview or getting passed over. Plus, it’s a sneak peek at your personal brand and communication style—basically, it says, “This is who I am and how I work” before you even say a word.
Resume Do’s & Don’ts
Let’s talk about resume do’s and don’ts—the little things that can make a big difference when you’re applying for jobs.
First things first: tailor your resume! Each job deserves its own version that shows you’re the perfect fit. A cookie-cutter resume won’t stand out.
Keep the layout clean and simple, too—clear formatting always wins over fancy fonts or flashy designs. When you’re describing your experience, show your impact by using numbers where you can. Saying “Managed a staff of 5” instantly tells a stronger story than just “Managed a team.”
Action words like led, created, organized, and launched are also gold—they make your accomplishments pop off the page. And don’t forget to update regularly so your latest wins don’t get left behind.
Now for the don’ts.
Skip the personal details—things like age, marital status, or anything unrelated to the job don’t belong on your resume. Resist the urge to go wild with colors and graphics; they may look fun, but they can actually distract from your content. Be honest about your experience (trust me, hiring managers can spot a stretch a mile away). And please—don’t send the exact same resume to every job posting. Finally, avoid long paragraphs when you’re listing responsibilities. Recruiters are skimmers, and bullet points make it easy for them to see the good stuff quickly.
So, when do paragraphs work?
A short professional summary at the top of your resume is a great place to introduce yourself in two or three lines. Cover letters and CVs are also perfect for a narrative format. But for the rest of your resume? Stick with clean, powerful bullet points—they’re your best friend when it comes to clarity.
Highlight Your Best Self on Paper
Your resume is your personal highlight reel, remember?—it should show your experience, skills, and achievements in a way that makes someone say, “We need to meet this person!” Here’s what to make sure you include:
📞Contact Information: Keep it simple and professional—your email, phone number, and LinkedIn profile are a must.
🎯Professional Summary or Objective: A short, tailored intro about who you are and what you bring to the table. Think of it as your elevator pitch on paper.
💼Work Experience: List jobs in reverse chronological order—most recent first. Focus on achievements and results, not just duties.
🛠️Skills: Highlight skills that are relevant to the job. Hard skills, soft skills, tools you use—anything that makes you a great fit.
🎓Certifications or Education: Include relevant degrees, certifications, or licenses. Bonus points for specialized training.
🌟Additional Sections: Got volunteer experience, language skills, or technical know-how? Toss it in! These extras can help you stand out.
Small Touches, Big Impact
Want to go a step further? These extras can give your resume a little sparkle:
🏆Key Accomplishments or Career Highlights: Quick bullets of your proudest wins—think promotions, awards, or big projects.
✨ Personal Branding Statement or Mission: One sentence that captures who you are professionally and what drives you.
🔗Portfolio Links: Perfect for creatives or technical pros—show, don’t just tell.
📑Clean, ATS-Friendly Design Templates: Make it easy for both humans and software to read.
Final Tips & Tools
Even the best content can fall flat if it’s sloppy. A few final tips to polish your resume:
🔍Proofread: Typos and grammar mistakes can be deal breakers.
👀Get a Second Pair of Eyes: Ask a mentor, recruiter, or career coach to review it.
💻Use Online Tools: Grammarly for grammar, Canva for design, Jobscan for ATS checks—you name it.
📂Keep a Master Resume: Customize for each job instead of rewriting from scratch.
📄Save & Send as PDF: Unless the employer asks otherwise, PDFs keep formatting intact.
Own Your Career Narrative
Your resume is your story—make it count! Highlight your wins, show your professional personality, and let your unique journey shine. This is your career—own it!
About the Author: Alyssa brings over a decade of private childcare experience, backed by degrees in Education and Human Development. After leading a household team as a Nanny and Family Assistant for a UHNW family, she now supports candidates at Oceanside Staffing through every step of the interview process.
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