Complete Guide to CV Writing, LinkedIn Optimization, and Interview Success
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 15
- 8 min read
Written by Dan Williamson, Coach, Mentor, and Founder
Dan is a qualified coach and mentor with 20+ years of experience helping people unlock their potential by challenging perspectives and enhancing self-awareness. He founded Teach Lead Transform, an online platform for self-discovery, learning, and language growth.
In these AI-driven times, human personality has been compartmentalised into neat boxes, static labels, and lists of categories. Traditional personality assessments promise to reveal "who you really are" through fixed categories, such as introvert or extrovert, thinking or feeling, judging or perceiving. But what if this binary approach is fundamentally limiting our understanding of ourselves?
Crafting an ATS-friendly CV that gets results
Your CV is often the first impression you make on a potential employer. But before a human ever sees it, it typically needs to pass through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). These are software programs that scan and filter applications based on specific criteria, making it crucial to format your CV correctly.
For larger companies, particularly multinationals that often use well-known application platforms, this can also save time when uploading your work history. An easily scannable and clearly formatted CV will enable the software to prepopulate many of the sections for you, saving time and energy if you are making multiple applications for roles.
Essential CV formatting guidelines
Keep your CV concise and limited to two pages maximum. Use clear headings and standard fonts to ensure readability. Most importantly, save your CV as an editable Word document rather than a PDF.
While PDFs may look more polished, many ATS systems cannot properly read text embedded in PDF files. This can cause your application to be automatically rejected or key information and experience to be missed.
Avoid including a profile picture on your CV. Not only does this waste valuable space, but in many markets, it can also introduce unconscious bias into the hiring process. Instead, use that space to highlight your achievements and qualifications.
Tailoring your CV for maximum impact
Generic CVs rarely succeed in today's job market. Each application should feature a tailored CV that mirrors the language and requirements of the specific job description. Start with a short summary at the top, and think of it as your elevator pitch. This brief paragraph should capture your core competencies and what you bring to the role.
Incorporate relevant keywords from the job posting throughout your CV. These might include specific skills, qualifications, software proficiencies, or industry terminology. Keyword optimization helps your CV score higher in ATS scans while also demonstrating to human reviewers that you understand the role's requirements.
Depending on your experience, role, or industry, a specific section at the top of the CV highlighting relevant skills can also be effective. It makes it easier to scan and, if a human actually reads it, the relevant skills are clearly visible, making it easier to assess your capabilities.
When describing your work history, focus on achievements rather than just listing responsibilities. Quantify your accomplishments wherever possible. For example, instead of writing “Managed a team,” say “Led a team of 12 employees, improving productivity by 25% over six months.”
Addressing employment gaps honestly
If you have gaps in your work timeline, acknowledge them rather than trying to hide them. Briefly explain what you were doing during these periods, whether it was further education, parenting, travel, or job searching. Employers appreciate transparency, and addressing gaps head-on prevents them from becoming red flags during the screening process.
Building a powerful LinkedIn profile
Your LinkedIn profile serves as your digital reputation and often receives more views than your CV. Many recruiters search LinkedIn before looking at applications, making it an essential tool for career advancement.
Optimizing your profile for discoverability
Use keywords strategically throughout your profile, particularly in your headline, about section, and experience descriptions. Think about the terms recruiters might use when searching for someone with your skills and background. Include both hard skills (specific technical abilities) and soft skills (leadership, communication, problem-solving).
Your profile should complement your CV but offer additional depth. Use the about section to tell your professional story in a more conversational tone. Explain not just what you do but why you do it and what drives your career choices.
It is also possible to enable the “Open to Work” options on your profile. This can be done discreetly (so it doesn’t show on your profile, but recruiters can see you are happy to be contacted), or explicitly, via the open-to-work heading that can be added to your profile picture.
Showcasing your expertise
Request recommendations from former colleagues, managers, and clients. These testimonials add credibility to your profile and provide social proof of your capabilities. Similarly, endorse others for their skills, as this often prompts reciprocal endorsements that strengthen your profile.
Regularly share relevant industry content, comment thoughtfully on posts, and engage with your network. This activity increases your visibility and positions you as an engaged professional who stays current with industry trends.
Mastering the interview process
Interviews typically follow a structured format, and understanding what to expect at each stage helps you prepare effectively.
First round interviews: Making a strong initial impression
First-round interviews often take place online via video conferencing platforms. Use a laptop rather than a mobile phone for a more professional appearance and better stability. Ensure your internet connection is reliable, and test your audio and video beforehand.
Choose a quiet, well-lit location for the interview. If possible, avoid using headphones, as they can create a barrier between you and the interviewer, both aurally in how you sound and physically in how you look.
Consider using a virtual background if your physical space isn't ideal, but ensure it looks professional and doesn’t distract from the conversation.
First impressions truly matter. Dress appropriately for the role. When in doubt, err on the side of being slightly more formal. Arrive, or log in, a few minutes early to demonstrate punctuality and professionalism.
If you have submitted an amended or tailored CV specifically for the role, make sure you know what is on it, your experience, and any relevant projects or results you can highlight.
Remember, there is no guarantee of getting past this stage or knowing what other candidates you are being compared to, so make sure you bring your A game and give the best account of yourself that you can.
Second round interviews: Demonstrating your competencies
Second-round interviews typically occur face-to-face and delve deeper into your qualifications. Expect more role-specific questions and competency-based inquiries that require you to provide concrete examples from your previous experience.
Thoroughly research the company before this interview. Understand their mission, values, recent news, products or services, and culture. This knowledge allows you to tailor your responses and ask informed questions that demonstrate genuine interest.
Review the job description carefully and identify the key competencies required. Prepare specific examples from your work history that demonstrate each of these competencies.
If possible, find out as much as you can about the people who are interviewing you. This might involve leveraging your professional network or taking a cursory glance at their LinkedIn profiles. It can be useful during the “Any questions?” part of the interview and shows that you have prepared well.
Understanding competency-based questions
Competency-based questions ask you to describe specific situations where you demonstrated skills or behaviours. These questions typically begin with phrases like "Tell me about a time when" or "Give me an example of"
The STAR method: Your framework for success
The STAR method provides a structured approach to answering competency-based questions effectively. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
Situation: Set the context by briefly describing the scenario you faced. Provide enough detail for the interviewer to understand the challenge or opportunity.
Task: Explain what your specific role or responsibility was in that situation. What were you trying to achieve?
Action: Describe the specific steps you took to address the situation. Focus on your individual contributions, even if you were working as part of a team. This is the most important part of your answer, so provide sufficient detail about your approach.
Result: Conclude with the outcome of your actions. Quantify the results whenever possible. Did you save time, reduce costs, increase revenue, or improve a process? Also, reflect on what you learned from the experience.
The STAR method ensures your answers are complete and compelling while keeping them focused and concise. Practice applying this framework to various scenarios before your interview.
Preparing for common interview questions
Certain questions appear in nearly every interview. Preparing strong answers in advance significantly boosts your confidence and performance.
Essential questions to prepare
"Tell me about yourself" or "Take me through your work history" typically opens interviews. Prepare a two-to-three-minute overview of your career journey, highlighting relevant experiences and explaining your career progression logically.
"What do you know about the company?" tests whether you've done your homework. Research the organization thoroughly and mention specific aspects that resonate with you.
"What attracted you to this role?" requires you to connect your skills and career goals to the position. Avoid generic answers about wanting a new challenge, and be specific about what excites you about this particular opportunity.
"What is your reason for looking to move roles?" should be answered positively. Focus on what you're seeking in your next position rather than criticizing your current or previous employer. It is good to have this clarity for yourself, regardless of the outcome of the interview. While moving for increased earnings is often a driving factor, clarity on what you want from a role will help achieve a greater level of personal and professional satisfaction.
You spend a significant portion of each week and your life working, so make sure that what you are doing is fulfilling, as well as offering development opportunities that aren’t just founded on increasing earnings.
"Can you describe a challenging situation and how you handled it?" is a classic competency-based question. Prepare several examples using the STAR method that demonstrate problem-solving, resilience, and initiative.
The most important question: Do you have any questions?
Never say, "No, I think you've covered everything." This question is your opportunity to demonstrate enthusiasm, critical thinking, and genuine interest in the role.
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team structure, success metrics for the role, professional development opportunities, company culture, challenges facing the department, or even some professional questions about the interviewers themselves. Asking insightful questions can be just as impressive as giving great answers and is often overlooked by candidates.
Final thoughts on interview success
Preparation is the key to interview success. Practice your responses out loud, not just in your head. Consider conducting mock interviews with a friend, mentor, or career coach who can provide constructive feedback.
Remember, an interview is a two-way process. You also need to make sure that the company is the right one for you, not just focus on convincing the interviewer that you are the right person for the job.
Approach each interview as a learning experience. Even if you don't receive an offer, reflect on what went well and what you could improve for next time. With proper preparation and practice, you'll develop the confidence and skills needed to excel in any interview situation and secure the career opportunities you deserve.
At Teach Lead Transform, we offer a full coaching program or individual sessions to review and assess your CV or LinkedIn profile and help you prepare and practice for interviews in a safe, nonjudgemental space.
Read more from Dan Williamson
Dan Williamson, Coach, Mentor, and Founder
Dan is passionate about continuous growth to positively impact others. As a qualified coach and mentor, he empowers people to deepen their self-awareness, strengthen their personal identity, and unlock their true potential. Using his own self-discovery experiences as a foundation, he helps individuals develop bespoke strategies to enable them to live as their authentic selves.
Through his writing on Teach, Lead, Transform, his online learning, language and self-discovery platform, his aim is to stimulate thinking and awareness to empower self-directed personal growth.
