How to Write an Effective CV

How to Write an Effective CV and Increase Your Chances of Getting an Interview?

Why does an average HR coordinator spend only 6–10 seconds on the first glance at your CV, and how can you use those critical seconds to move from “just another name in the pile” to a candidate who gets invited to an interview? This is a detailed, practical guide that will help you upgrade your CV so it truly works for you.

Introduction: Why a Good CV Is the Key to Success

Why is a good CV so important in the job search process?

In a reality where almost every interesting position gets on average 150–200 CVs, the main question is not only whether you are suitable for the role, but whether your CV stands out enough to even reach the interview stage.

Recent data from Israeli placement companies and HR departments shows a clear picture: about 85% of CVs are rejected already at the initial screening stage, before anyone takes the time to read them in depth. This means many candidates are filtered out not because they are unfit, but because their CV file fails to present their suitability clearly and convincingly.

This may sound discouraging, but in fact it’s an opportunity: those who learn how to write a clean, accurate and well-structured CV already overtake a large part of the competition. The secret lies not only in what you write, but mainly in how you write it, how you organise the information, and how you tailor your message for each specific position.

How does a CV file influence the employer’s decision?

The first screening is done in just a few seconds: in most cases, the employer or recruiter spends about 6–10 seconds scanning the CV before deciding whether to look deeper or move on to the next candidate.

First impression is created even before every word is read: the design, structure, headings, spacing and first lines all create an instant feeling of whether this is a serious, organised candidate or a document that is hard to understand.

Professional credibility: a clean CV, free from mistakes, with a consistent structure and tailored to the position, projects professionalism, responsibility and attention to detail – exactly the traits employers want to see in the day-to-day work.

It’s important to remember: a CV is not just a record of what you have done in the past, but a marketing tool. Its purpose is to “sell” your skills and potential in a way that leads to one clear action: an invitation to an interview.

What should I include in my CV if I have no prior experience?

“I have no experience” is one of the most common statements among young job seekers, discharged soldiers and new immigrants. In practice, almost everyone has relevant experience – it’s just not always defined as “a job”. The key is to identify what you have already done and translate it into language employers understand.

Which sections are important in a CV for beginners?

Even candidates without formal work experience must have a few basic sections in their CV:

Basic personal details:

• Full name

• Photo – in Israel this is a sensitive issue, and we’ll discuss it separately later in the article; in most cases it is optional, not mandatory.

• City of residence (no need to list full address)

• Mobile phone number that is actually reachable

• Professional email address (preferably based on your real name, not an old nickname from 20 years ago)

Military service – this is a central section in the Israeli job market, sometimes even more important than a short work history. It is recommended to write the unit, role, rank at discharge, significant courses (command, instruction, technical) and any special responsibilities you held.

Education – at the beginning of your career, your education might be your strongest asset. It’s worth listing the institution, program, GPA (if it’s above 85), relevant final project, scholarships and distinctions.

Relevant life experience – even if it’s not officially “a job”:

• Worked as a lifeguard? That’s experience in taking responsibility for people’s safety and working under pressure.

• Hosted events or led a youth group? That’s clear experience in facilitation, public speaking and interpersonal communication.

Can listing education, projects or relevant courses help?

Definitely. For candidates with little work history, this section often becomes the deciding factor.

Online courses – if the courses are related to the position you’re applying for, it’s worth mentioning them. They show initiative, self-learning and technological literacy.

Academic projects – a final project where you built an app, an information system or carried out applied research can be worth much more than another line about a temporary job. It’s best to phrase it as an achievement: what you built, what the goal was, who used the result.

Secondary education – relevant mainly for very young candidates or when there is a strong professional track (for example, computer science, electronics, biotechnology).

Professional certificates – special licences, safety courses, professional certifications (such as forklift operator, fitness instructor, lab technician) all strengthen your profile.

How to include life experience or volunteer work?

Volunteering, if presented correctly, can be no less powerful than work experience:

Strategic volunteering – if you volunteered for an organisation with a technological orientation, this can count as your first experience in hi-tech; helping seniors or immigrants use a computer is effectively IT support.

Life experience as professional experience – running an Instagram page with thousands of followers is experience in digital marketing and community management; fixing computers for friends and family is technical experience.

Leadership activities – being a student representative, youth movement counsellor or sports coach all signal responsibility, leadership and the ability to motivate people.

Golden rule: any activity that required responsibility, initiative, organisation or problem-solving can go into your CV as relevant experience – provided it is described properly.

What is the right structure for a CV?

Before anyone reads the content, they see the structure. An employer will not dive into the details of your CV, even if it is excellent, if the document looks messy, crowded or confusing.

Should you use clear headings and separated paragraphs?

Before the employer reads, they scan. One of the simplest ways to make a CV readable is to use clear headings and a logical division into short paragraphs.

Headings must be clear and self-explanatory: “Work Experience”, “Education”, “Military Service”, “Skills”, “Languages”. It’s less recommended to use vague or poetic headings like “Who I am” or “My journey” – this looks less professional and is less search-friendly.

Good visual layout:

• White space between sections – don’t turn the page into a solid block of text.

• Use bullet points to describe tasks and achievements.

• Bold headings and consistent styling across the whole document.

• Consistent alignment, uniform spacing and unified language.

The goal is simple: to let the employer find what interests them in seconds – without hunting for it.

What is the ideal length for a CV?

This question comes up all the time: “How long should my CV be?”

The updated rule on the Israeli market:

• One page – for candidates at the beginning of their path (up to about three years of experience).

• Up to two pages – for candidates with more substantial experience, especially if you have worked in several places or have rich managerial/technical experience.

Forcing everything into one page at any cost can lead to important information being omitted, or the text becoming too dense to read. On the other hand, three pages or more almost always put people off.

Recommended paragraph length: 2–4 lines for each position. Paragraphs that are too long make quick scanning difficult.

Recommended font size: 11–12 for body text. Smaller is hard to read; larger tends to look unprofessional.

Which skills are important to list in a CV?

Employers look for a combination of technical skills and soft (personal) skills. Your goal is to present both accurately, without being overly vague.

Should you list both soft skills and technical skills?

Yes – but in a smart and precise way.

Technical skills – always list them in an organised way:

• Computer programs: Excel (with level of proficiency – basic / good / advanced), Word, PowerPoint.

• Professional systems: SAP, Salesforce, CRM systems, Priority, accounting software, etc.

• Programming languages or technical tools – only if they are relevant to the role.

• Other professional tools: AutoCAD, Photoshop, design systems, control systems and more.

Soft skills – avoid empty statements:

• Instead of simply writing “excellent team player”, write: “worked in teams of 8–10 people on cross-functional projects”.

• Instead of “problem-solving skills”, write: “resolved technical issues for dozens of users per month”.

The more concrete the description of a skill, the more credible it appears.

How to describe relevant skills in a way that convinces employers?

The main rule: show, don’t just claim. Instead of a detached list of skills, it’s better to weave them into the description of your roles and achievements.

Levels of proficiency:

• “Full proficiency” – you can train others, build processes and optimise the way the tool is used.

• “High level” – you work with the tool independently and confidently.

• “Basic level” – you use the tool, but may still need guidance from time to time.

The recency of your skills is very important: extensive experience with very old tools or versions that are no longer in use will not impress. In contrast, familiarity with modern tools – including AI solutions, cloud platforms or digital systems – can give you a real edge.

Foreign languages: it’s recommended to state your level realistically: “native”, “high level”, “good level”, “basic”. Avoid exaggeration – a short interview can immediately reveal gaps.

How to tailor your CV to each position?

One of the biggest mistakes in job searching is using the same version of your CV for all positions. Employers immediately sense that this is a “universal” document, whereas a version fine-tuned to the specific position significantly increases the chance of moving forward.

Why is it important to use keywords from the job description?

Many companies, especially large ones, use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan CVs before a recruiter ever sees them. These systems look specifically for the keywords that appear in the job posting.

If the advertisement mentions “project management”, “advanced Excel” and “working with suppliers”, it’s worth ensuring these phrases also appear in your CV, naturally and appropriately. If instead you only write “task coordination”, “data sheets” and “working with external parties”, the system may not detect a match.

On a human level as well, not only algorithmic, using similar wording to the job ad creates a sense of fit: the recruiter feels you are exactly the type of person they’re looking for.

How to align your CV with the specific requirements of a role?

It’s helpful to follow a short but consistent process each time:

1. Analyse the job description: read it carefully and highlight keywords – skills, responsibilities, areas of knowledge.

2. Adapt your personal profile: for each position, the profile should emphasise slightly different strengths – technical, managerial or service-oriented.

3. Reorder the priorities: if the role emphasises Excel, then your Excel skills should appear in your profile summary, in the job descriptions and in the “Skills” section.

4. Rewrite job descriptions: for each past position, highlight the parts that are relevant for the new role and downplay what is less relevant.

Direction examples:

• For a marketing role – emphasise content creation, social media work, campaigns and client interaction.

• For a finance role – emphasise accuracy, working with numbers and reports, and use of financial tools.

• For a hi-tech role – emphasise fast learning, working with technology and solving complex problems.

טבלה 1: השפעת גורמים שונים בקורות החיים על החלטת זימון לראיון

The data is based on internal analysis of hiring processes in various Israeli companies in 2024 and reflects the main conclusion of this article: personalisation, a sharp personal profile and measurable achievements are the most influential factors in the decision to invite a candidate to an interview.

How to Design a CV in a Professional and Modern Way?

Professional design is not “decoration” but a practical tool meant to make you stand out and improve readability. A good CV should be clean, organised and easy to follow. Over-designed or outdated-looking documents can harm your chances.

How to choose the right font?

Golden rule: use professional, clear and neutral fonts. Common recommendations in Israel include:

• Assistant – one of the most popular fonts for Hebrew CVs.

• Alef – clean and tidy, especially suitable for academia and hi-tech.

• Open Sans / Arial – excellent choices for English CVs or bilingual documents.

Recommended font size: 12 for body text, 14–16 for headings. Do not go below size 11.

Should you use tables in the design?

Yes – in moderation. Tables can help organise information, especially technical skills, languages or key achievements. But it’s important to:

• Not turn the entire CV into one big table.

• Avoid layouts that become messy on mobile (many recruiters open CVs on their phone).

Photo in the CV – yes or no?

This is a debated issue, especially in Israel. A photo is not mandatory, but can sometimes help in front-facing or service-oriented roles.

Rules for a professional photo:

• Clean, light background.

• Neat, appropriate clothing.

• Soft smile, direct gaze.

• Good quality – not an old passport photo and not a selfie.

If you are unsure, it’s usually better to skip the photo.

Common CV Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Most CVs fail not because candidates lack skills, but because of small mistakes that create an unprofessional impression. Here are the most common ones.

1. Being too generic

Instead of “worked with customers”, write: “provided service to private and business customers, handling about 40–60 enquiries a day”.

2. Information overload

There is no need to list every job you ever held since age 16. Keep only what contributes to your candidacy.

3. Spelling and grammar mistakes

This may sound minor, but in Israel over 60% of employers report that language mistakes significantly reduce a candidate’s chances of being invited for an interview.

4. Outdated CV

Incorrect email address or phone number can lead to immediate disqualification.

5. Overused buzzwords

• “Highly responsible”

• “Excellent interpersonal skills”

• “Strong work ethic”

All of these can be true – but only if backed by concrete examples.

How to Present Hobbies in a Way That Improves Your Image?

The “Hobbies” section is not mandatory, but it can highlight personal qualities that the employer doesn’t see in the professional part.

Hobbies worth mentioning:

• Sports activities – indicate discipline and consistency.

• Photography, design, music – can hint at creativity.

• Mountain trekking, long-distance running – show persistence and resilience.

What not to mention: hobbies that may be controversial or look completely irrelevant.

How to Check if Your CV Is Effective?

There is a very practical way to understand whether your CV is working – simply measure the results.

By the number of interview invitations

If you sent 15–20 CVs and received no calls at all, the problem is most likely not you as a person, but the document itself.

By response time

Service, sales, logistics and hospitality roles usually respond fairly quickly. If there is no response, it may be worth rewriting and sharpening your CV.

By fit with the roles you apply for

If you are applying for positions you are clearly suitable for “on paper”, but receive no feedback, it may be that your CV does not highlight the right strengths.

Short Summary

A good CV is not “a list of facts” but a strategic document. Those who understand what the employer is looking for and present their information clearly, sharply and in line with the role, get invitations. Those who don’t simply disappear in a sea of other files.

Investing time in layout, accuracy, personalisation and smart writing is a necessary condition for entering the job market of 2025.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About CVs

Do I have to attach a photo to my CV?

No. In Israel it is common to attach a photo, but it is not obligatory. If you are not sure your photo looks professional enough, it’s better not to include it. For hi-tech, finance and back-office roles, a photo usually does not add value. For front-facing and service roles – sometimes it can help.

What if I really have no work experience?

Emphasise experience from “real life”: volunteering, military service, courses, projects, hobbies with professional value. Any activity involving responsibility, leadership, organisation or technology can be turned into relevant experience.

Should I include a personal profile section?

Yes – but keep it short. Two to three lines that highlight a key strength and your fit for the role. Avoid generic phrases like “highly motivated” or “team player”.

What if there are gaps in my CV?

Just state them honestly. For example: “2022–2023 – job search and professional courses”. Employers prefer transparency over attempts to hide things.

Is it okay to invent or exaggerate experience?

No, never. Employers do check information. Any inaccuracy can lead to immediate rejection or to later dismissal.

Is there any point in having a bilingual CV?

Only if you apply for international positions. In most cases, it is better to prepare one version in Hebrew and a separate one in English.

How long does it take to properly rewrite a CV?

Usually between one and three hours, including tailoring it to a specific role. This is a small investment that pays off in the number and quality of invitations.

Should I use ready-made templates?

Yes, as long as they are clean, professional and not overloaded. It’s best to avoid templates that look “over-designed”.

What is the recommended order of sections in a CV?

There are two main structures, depending on your career stage.

For beginners (0–3 years of experience):

1. Personal details + photo (if you choose to include one)

2. Short personal profile (2–3 lines)

3. Education

4. Military service

5. Work experience, internships and volunteering

6. Technical skills

7. Languages

For experienced candidates (3+ years):

1. Personal details + photo (if relevant)

2. Personal profile

3. Professional experience in reverse chronological order

4. Education

5. Military service

6. Technical and professional skills

7. Languages

Iron rule: whatever strengthens your candidacy the most for a specific role should appear at the top. For one person this may be military service, for another – technical experience, and for someone else – academic background.