What to Include (and Leave Out) on Your Resume

Your resume is often your first impression, and it’s important that it’s clear, relevant and easy to scan.

We asked our team at 4020 Consult what they look for (and what they don’t) when reviewing CVs. Here’s their advice.

A simple format goes a long way. Hiring managers and recruiters don’t have time to decode overly designed CVs.

“Keep your formatting simple and easy to read,” says Joel.

Paulina agrees, noting that less is more when it comes to design:

“Don’t overcomplicate it, leave out all the colours and different fonts.”

Make sure your key details are front and centre.

“Contact details, even if you just have your ballpark location,” says Sharon.

This is especially important for roles where location or travel is a factor.

How you present your experience matters just as much as what’s on it.

“Dates in chronological order with most recent first,” says Sarah.

This helps recruiters quickly understand your career progression.

You don’t need to include everything you’ve ever done.

“If it was a long time ago, put it as 'prior to XX date' and make it brief. You don’t need every single detail,” Joel explains.

For more generic roles, he adds, “You don’t necessarily need to have all the details of your duties. We know what you do.”

What sets you apart is what you’ve delivered.

“Put in anything extraordinary, extra duties you've taken on, or achievements. Make sure you include metrics so we can clearly see how impressive it is,” says Joel.

Think project outcomes, improvements, or measurable contributions.

If you’re applying for a role outside your current area, don’t leave hiring managers guessing.

“If you aren’t based where the job is, [include the] reason why,” Joel advises.

Some things simply don’t add value and can even hurt your chances.

“No photos, everyone hates them. It adds the possibility for unconscious bias."

Joel also notes that cover letters aren’t always needed: “Don’t do a cover letter, they're really not necessary.”

A strong resume doesn’t need to be complicated. Keep it clean, focus on what matters, and make it easy for recruiters to see your value at a glance.

If you’re unsure whether your CV is hitting the mark, the team at 4020 Consult is always here to help - get in touch with us today.