The Ultimate Checklist for Job Seekers to Review Their Resume Like a Pro
One of the most common questions job seekers ask themselves is:
“Is my CV good enough, or do I need to fix it?”
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in that cycle of doubt, constantly tweaking your resume or wondering if you should pay for a professional review – this post is for you.
The truth is, your CV is your personal marketing tool. It needs to sell your value in seconds. And no, you don’t always need to pay someone to tell you if it’s “good.” You just need a clear checklist to review it like a recruiter would.
Here’s a CV checklist that will help you assess and improve your resume with confidence – and skip the guesswork next time.
✅ 1. Is Your CV Easy to Read?
- Use clean, professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica
- Font size should be between 11 and 12
- Proper spacing between sections – your layout shouldn’t feel cramped
- Use bold titles, bullet points, and aligned margins for structure
- Keep everything aligned – visually clean resumes always win
✅ 2. Is All Information Up to Date?
- Did you include your latest job title and end date?
- Are your contact details (phone, email) accurate and professional?
- Did you add your LinkedIn profile (if available)?
- Removed outdated or irrelevant work experiences?
✅ 3. Are You Highlighting Achievements, Not Just Duties?
Recruiters don’t just want to know what your responsibilities were – they want to know how well you did them.
Instead of writing:
“Responsible for handling customer queries”
Write:
“Resolved 100+ customer issues monthly with a 95% satisfaction rate”
Use action verbs like:
Led – Managed – Created – Increased – Reduced – Delivered – Improved
✅ 4. Is Your Resume Tailored to the Job?
- Are you customizing your CV for each application?
- Does your resume reflect the keywords used in the job description?
- Did you highlight the skills and tools required by the employer?
Tip: Use the job ad like a mirror – reflect the most important words back in your CV.
✅ 5. Is the Length Appropriate?
- If you’re a fresh graduate or early-career professional: keep it to 1 page
- If you’re mid-level or experienced: 2 pages is your max
- Cut out fluff – focus only on relevant experiences and results
✅ 6. Is It Free From Spelling or Grammar Mistakes?
- Run your CV through tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Editor
- Read it out loud – it helps catch awkward phrasing
- Ask a friend or colleague to proofread
A single typo can signal carelessness – don’t let small mistakes cost you interviews.
✅ 7. Are There Measurable Results?
Numbers make impact. Always aim to include metrics that prove your contribution.
Examples:
- “Increased sales by 30% in 6 months”
- “Reduced processing time by 40% using automation tools”
- “Trained a team of 5 new hires, improving team output by 20%”
✅ 8. Is It Free of Generic Phrases?
Avoid overused lines like:
- “Able to work under pressure”
- “Looking for new challenges”
- “Team player and fast learner”
These don’t tell employers anything unique about you. Show, don’t just say.
✅ 9. Are Hard & Soft Skills Balanced?
Include both technical skills (tools, software, platforms) and soft skills (communication, leadership, time management) – but don’t just list them.
Show how you applied them in real work situations.
✅ 10. Do You Have a Cover Letter (If Needed)?
- Is your cover letter personalized to the job and company?
- Does it add value beyond what’s in the CV?
- Keep it short, focused, and relevant.
Final Thought:
Your CV doesn’t need to be perfect – it needs to be clear, targeted, and honest.
By going through this checklist, you’ll be able to spot weaknesses, update your resume with confidence, and stand out to recruiters – without needing to pay for professional CV services.
Remember:
Your CV’s job is not to get you hired – it’s to get you the interview.
Make sure it’s doing just that.
