Five signals recruiters actually look for on your CV
The patterns experienced recruiters scan for in the first fifteen seconds, and how to make sure yours are visible.
Most CVs get about fifteen seconds of attention on the first pass. Here is what recruiters are actually scanning for in that window.
1. A clear current role and level
Your most recent title and the scope behind it should be readable at a glance. Vague titles like "Consultant" without context slow the reader down. Add one line under the title that frames the scope: team size, budget, region, or the type of problem you own.
2. Progression that tells a story
Recruiters read the left margin first. Dates and titles should suggest a trajectory. If your path is non-linear, make the logic explicit in a one-line summary at the top.
3. Outcomes with numbers
One quantified outcome per role is enough. Revenue, retention, cycle time, headcount, adoption. Numbers earn trust faster than adjectives.
4. Keywords that match the target role
Not keyword stuffing. The two or three terms a hiring manager would use to describe the job should appear naturally in your recent roles.
5. A summary that is not a mission statement
The top of your CV should tell the reader what you do, who you do it for, and what you are looking for next. Three sentences. No adjectives about being passionate or driven.
