Building a Strong CV to Accelerate Your Career Start

Starting your career can feel both exciting and a bit overwhelming. You’ve invested time and effort into building your skills, gaining experience, and growing your confidence, and now you’re faced with the challenge of fitting it all onto a single page that truly reflects who you are. A resume is more than a list of roles or coursework, it’s your story of growth, impact, and potential.

The good news? With the right approach, you can create a resume that not only passes through applicant tracking systems but also resonates with the people reading it. Think of it as your first opportunity to show employers what you’ve accomplished, what matters to you, and where you hope to go next.

What are the top five tips for creating a strong early-career resume?

• Lead with impact: Use action verbs and quantify your results (e.g., meetings scheduled, response time improved, accuracy increased, revenue supported)

• Match the job description: Include relevant keywords (e.g., prospecting, CRM, client service, presentations, Excel)

• Keep it one page and ATS‑friendly: Use standard fonts, clear section headers, simple bullet points, and avoid images, tables, or columns

• Prioritize relevant experiences: Include previous experience that aligns with the job description and highlight key skills the employer is looking for (previous internship or work experience, leadership roles, extracurriculars, relevant projects)

• Show professionalism: Proofread thoroughly, keep formatting consistent, and include a link to your LinkedIn profile

What common mistakes should candidates avoid?

• Generic objectives: Opt for a brief, tailored profile or remove this section to save space

• Duty‑only bullet points: Include scope, impact, and measurable outcomes

• Inconsistent formatting: Align dates, tenses, and bullet styles

• Irrelevant details: Leave out full address, high school information, and unrelated coursework

• Overdesign: Avoid graphics or complex layouts that job application systems struggle to read

What sections are essential for a strong resume?

• Contact Information: Name, city/state, phone, email, LinkedIn URL

• Education: Degree, university, graduation date, GPA (optional), honours

• Experience: Three to five impact‑focused bullet points per role

• Skills: Include technical skills and platforms that are relevant to role (e.g., Microsoft 365, Qualtrics, CRM systems like Sales Force, etc.)

• Certifications/Licenses (optional): Completed or in progress (e.g., Property & Casualty), relevant coursework

• Leadership & Activities: Student organizations, athletics, volunteer roles, with emphasis on impact and outcomes

Do you have examples of strong bullet points or formatting suggestions?

• Keep it to one page with 0.5–1‑inch margins and 10–12 pt font (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman)

• Bold employer names and role titles, use the past tense for previous roles and the present tense for current ones

• Submit as a PDF unless instructed otherwise. Use a clear file name: FirstLast_Resume.pdf

Are there industry‑specific tips for applicants interested in Gallagher?

• Passion & Curiosity for Sales: Demonstrated interest in expanding client relationships to support organizational growth

• Empathy & Emotional Intelligence: Ability to build strong relationships and manage communication effectively

• Client‑Facing Work: Professionalism, problem‑solving skills, and confidence in presenting solutions

• Goal‑Oriented & Proactive: Willingness to participate fully in hands‑on learning; driven and focused on achieving objectives

Your resume is a living document; it evolves as you do. Each internship, project, or leadership experience adds a new layer to your story. Don’t worry if it takes a few drafts to get it right; the process helps you reflect on your strengths and clarify your goals. Approach it with curiosity, professionalism, and confidence, and you’ll be well on your way to discovering opportunities that align with your aspirations.

Ultimately, your resume is more than a document; it’s your story in motion. When you present it with clarity and authenticity, you give employers a real reason to be excited about the future they could build with you.