Here’s what recruiters and hiring managers actually look for when reviewing a CV.
A strong CV creates a strong first impression.
When hiring managers review applications, the CVs that stand out are usually the ones that are clear, relevant, and easy to navigate. Making your experience easy to understand quickly can significantly improve how effectively your strengths come across.
At Ensure Recruitment, we asked our recruiters and consultants one simple question:
“What’s one thing you wish every candidate knew about CVs?”
Across Life Insurance, General Insurance, Broking, Workers Compensation, and Wealth Management, the answers were surprisingly consistent.
Here are 5 things that stood out.
Most hiring managers naturally look for:
That’s why the first page matters so much. Your CV should quickly highlight:
Clear and well-structured CVs make it much easier for your experience to stand out.
Good tailoring is not about repeating keywords from the job description. It’s about demonstrating capability through examples.
Instead of: “Strong stakeholder management”
Show it: “Managed relationships across brokers, legal teams and clients during complex claims matters.”
The best CVs mirror the intent of the role, not the wording.
One of the clearest pieces of feedback from our consultants was this:
Too many CVs list responsibilities instead of achievements.
Hiring managers already understand the general responsibilities of the role — what helps candidates stand out is showing the impact they’ve made.
Strong examples include:
Numbers instantly make your experience more tangible and credible.
Your CV does not need to include every job you’ve ever had.
In fact, adding too much unrelated information can weaken your application.
A recruiter summed it up perfectly:
“Your CV isn’t a record of everything you’ve ever done — it’s a marketing document designed to get you an interview.”
Focus on:
Older or unrelated roles can often be shortened or removed altogether.
Simple, clean formatting often performs better than over-designed CVs. Clear headings, bullet points, and concise information help your strengths stand out more effectively.
Several consultants highlighted the importance of the opening summary section.
Avoid generic statements like: “Experienced professional with excellent communication skills.”
Instead, make it specific: “Insurance Broker with 7+ years’ experience across SME and commercial portfolios, achieving 30% year-on-year new business growth.”
Specific always beats generic.
Ultimately, the best CVs are clear, tailored, achievement-focused, and easy to scan. Most importantly, they quickly answer the hiring manager’s biggest question:
“Can this person do the job?”
A strong CV can make a big difference in a competitive market. Whether you’re actively job searching or simply want to better position your experience, connect with the team at Ensure Recruitment today for career guidance, market insights, and opportunities across the Insurance industry.
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