The 30 Second CV Test

Recruiters don’t spend long looking at each CV. Estimates are as low as 6 seconds, but more often it’s said that you have about 30 seconds to impress the reader. It needs to be eye-catching!

Test whether your CV is quickly readable with these things:

  1. Are your contact details at the top of the page?
    Keep it simple with your phone number, email address and LinkedIn profile.
  2. Have you used bullet point format?
    A large block of text will not be read.
  3. Are the layout and font easy to read?
    Ensure your CV can be read at a glance.
  4. Have you included all relevant experience?
    Your CV shouldn’t contain any gaps or white space.
  5. Have you used effective buzzwords?
    Analyse what the employer is looking for and mention this in your CV.

You may also like to read:

CV writing tips

The top 10 CV buzzwords

Being selective with your CV

Trust us to expand your workforce

with the world’s most talented people.

Download our brochure
1200

plus vacancies filled yearly

77%*

of CVs we submit to a job progress to interview for contract recruitment

167%*

above the recruitment industry average

*Data from CK database and Hirehive

Get started placing exceptional 
talent in exceptional roles.

The CK Advice Centre

We keep our finger on the pulse 
of the Life Sciences employment market so you don’t have to.
Quicklinks for employers

Free Resources

Job Brief Template

Download

Job Description Template

Download

Office Letter Template

Download



See all

READ MORE SUCCESS STORIES

Card image

GSK

15 years consistently supplying contingent staff and C-suite talent to GSK Global.

Card image

NXERA

How CK helped recruit from Scientist to Vice-President, in fields spanning pre-clinical, translational, and clinical development.

Card image

Ineos Chemicals

Growing opportunities in the UK due to new funding. See the hot new roles arising.