We’ve all heard the stat “recruiters spend six seconds on your CV.” Cue the collective panic!
But here’s the truth, from someone who reads hundreds of applications every week. At McLaren Recruitment, we read every single application. No AI, no filters, just experienced humans doing their best to find the right fit for both our clients and candidates.
So, what’s with the six-second thing?
It’s not that we only read your CV for six seconds – it’s that we’ve become very good at knowing, in that short time, whether we want to keep reading.
Recruiters read in layers:
We scan quickly to get a sense of relevance for the role in question
We slow down when something looks like a good match
We deep dive when someone lands in the “maybe” or “yes” pile
It’s not about cutting corners; it’s about efficiency. We know what our clients are looking for, and we’re trained to pick up on key indicators fast. That’s why clarity and structure in your CV matter so much.
Here are a few ways to help your CV rise to the top of the pile:
Start strong
The top third of your CV is prime real estate. Put your most relevant experience, skills, and achievements right up front. Don’t make us dig for the gold.
Ensure you’ve clearly stated your name, location and contact details.
Be clear
Design matters, but substance matters more. Use headings, bullet points, and simple formatting – plenty of white space. Avoid jargon or layouts that are hard to follow.
List your employment history in chronological order, starting with your current/most recent role. We want to know where you’ve worked, what you did, and what you achieved in that role. Stats and numbers really help drive this home too! If you only talk about your responsibilities, you sound exactly like everyone else. Achievements are what make you stand out.
Tailor it
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel for every job, but tweaking your CV to match the role makes a big difference. A recruiter can tell when you’ve taken the time to connect the dots.
Make your cover letter count
Yes, we read cover letters and are huge advocates for them! Use it to show us why you’re interested in this job at this organisation – not just any job.
Remember: we’re human
Recruitment is personal. We read with empathy, insight, and understanding. We know it takes effort to apply, and we don’t take that for granted.
I know how disheartening it can be to apply and not hear back, or to feel like your application is disappearing into a void. Please know that at McLaren, your application is seen and considered by a real person who cares about getting it right. We respond to each and every application and you’ll never be left knowing where your application stands.
Crafting a great CV isn’t about outsmarting algorithms or writing the most elaborate summary. It’s about making it easy for someone like me to quickly see the connection between your experience and the role. And when we see that, we slow down and we read on.
Recruitment is a two-way street. While we’re assessing whether someone is the right fit for the role, we’re also aware that every application represents someone’s time, effort, and hopes.
So thank you. For putting yourself forward, for doing the hard work of applying, and for trusting us with your story!
Good luck!
Kirsty and Nikki
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