What a Great CV Looks Like in 2025 – a Finance Recruiter’s Honest Advice…
Across both industry & practice, the accountancy & finance market in Northern Ireland remains incredibly competitive. Regardless of your career pathway, your CV is a potential employer’s first impression.
As a specialist recruiter in this space, I read hundreds of CVs a month, so I know what makes a great one stand out.
From graduate & emerging talent roles right through to positions in senior leadership, it’s essential that your CV cuts through the noise. Here are my honest & practical tips for when it’s time to update yours…
Presentation – Keep it Clean, Clear, & Focused
Keep it to two pages – max!
Even if you have been working for 20+ years, your CV should never go over two pages. Everything can always be expanded on at interview stage. A longwinded & overly detailed CV can suggest an inability to be concise or prioritise key information – not attributes that employers usually want to see!
Avoid dense blocks of text.
Bullet points are your friend! Employers don’t want to wade through paragraphs, they want to be able to read & digest information quickly & clearly. Your CV shouldn’t read how you would answer an interview question.
Don’t over-style it!
Use a clean & easy-to-read font style, ideally in a size of 10-12. Avoid flashy templates or colourful graphics, you are not applying for a job in graphic design! Bold for headings & job titles is very effective.
Keep it reverse chronological!
This might seem like common sense but nearly half the CVs I read do not follow this structure! Always start with your most recent role first! If you are applying for a finance manager position, the last thing you want is for a potential employer to be reading about your Saturday job from when you were 16 before they have seen your relevant experience!
Make it Personal
Start with a personal summary
No more than 3-4 lines. Use this section to summarise your current role, qualification level, & what you’re looking for next. It’s also a great space to tailor your CV to each specific application!
Example- “A recently qualified ACA accountant who completed my audit training contract within a Top 6 environment. With a strong commercial awareness and having worked across a diverse client portfolio, I am keen to explore a role in an industry setting where I can develop further.”
Don’t make it too personal!
Many companies (particularly larger firms) have strict fair hiring & anti-bias policies in place. Including unnecessary details on your CV can unintentionally work against you. I have seen candidates discounted during the initial sift simply because they included a photo of themselves, a date of birth, or a marital status! A name, phone number, email address, & Linked In URL is perfect.
Make the space count!
Highlight key achievements as well as duties
Make your experience specific. Quantify where possible- cost savings, time saved, portfolio size, or any process improvements! These are all great points to make your CV stand out, but remember to keep it concise (because yes… we can all spot ChatGPT a mile off).
Don’t undersell practice experience (if applicable)
If you are trying to move from practice to industry, don’t brush past the value of your training. Consider mentioning portfolio size, sectors you have worked with, involvement in any advisory work! This all shows a commercial awareness, a big plus in industry!
Similarly, even if you’re moving into another role within practice, don’t get lazy & assume you don’t need to provide detail on your current role! Every practice is different, whether that’s portfolio makeup, client sectors, or even the split between audit/accounts/tax/advisory work! For example, don’t assume that an ‘Audit Manager’ title carries the same meaning everywhere. Help the hiring manager understand what your role actually involves.
Final Thoughts
A great CV doesn’t need to be flashy! It needs to be clear, relevant, & aligned to where you want to go next!
If you want advice on whether your CV is hitting the mark, I am always happy to take a look & offer insight. Whether you are newly qualified, or years into your finance career, a strong CV can really make a difference & your ticket to your next role!