Read the vacancy as a set of needs
Separate daily responsibilities, essential requirements, desirable skills and application instructions. Notice the tools, working context and expected contributions. “Work with the sales team” describes a different need from “own a customer portfolio”. Instead of copying phrases immediately, work out what the successful applicant would actually do and which parts of your experience could demonstrate that ability.
Match requirements to real evidence
Make a short requirement-to-evidence list: a task you performed, a project, an applied course or a result you can substantiate. If you have not used a requested tool, do not present it as an acquired skill. You can explain relevant experience with similar tools or learning in progress, clearly labelled as such. This exercise also helps identify gaps and decide whether the role is a realistic next step.
Rewrite to make relevance visible
Illustrative example: a vacancy asks for delivery coordination and customer communication. If accurate, “Operational support” can become “Monitored deliveries, updated customers on changes and escalated delays to the logistics manager.” The second version connects real actions to the work being requested. Use precise names for tools and skills you genuinely have. Avoid forced repetition, inflated responsibility and invented results; a relevant description should still be an honest account of your contribution.
Choose and order content before changing the layout
Give relevant experience more space and reduce detail that does not help this application. You can summarize an earlier role without changing its dates or implying it never existed. Check that the introduction, skills and examples tell a consistent story. A different design cannot make unclear content convincing. Selection software also varies: there is no wording formula or template that guarantees success with every applicant tracking system.
Create a dedicated version and review it against the vacancy
EasyPeasyCV lets you create several CVs from a single profile and choose the entries to include in each. Give the version a recognizable internal title for the role you are considering. Compare the finished PDF with the vacancy: can a reader find evidence for its main requirements? Are dates and names consistent? Have you followed instructions for files and attachments? Keep a copy of the version you send so you can prepare for the interview.
Before you send your CV
- Each important requirement is supported by real evidence in the CV.
- No skill, responsibility or keyword has been added without a factual basis.
- The introduction and selected experience fit this vacancy.
- Application instructions are followed and a copy of the sent version is saved.