
The best way to write a job description in your CV is to focus on accomplishments rather than just listing daily duties. Frame each entry with a clear action verb and a measurable outcome. For example, instead of saying “Responsible for managing a team,” say “Led a team of 12 to achieve a 15% increase in quarterly sales.” This approach immediately signals to recruiters that you deliver results.
I usually break down each role into three parts: the context or challenge, the action I took, and the result (often called the CAR format). It keeps the description tight and impressive. If you have multiple roles, list them in reverse chronological order and tailor the language to match keywords from the job you are applying for. This is especially important when you are targeting roles in recruitment or HR, where structured interviews and candidate screening processes are standard.
To make this even clearer, here is a comparison of how different approaches change the impact of a CV entry:
| Approach | Example Description | Recruiter Impression |
|---|---|---|
| Duty-Focused | Managed the recruitment process. | Vague, tells me you just did a job. |
| Action-Oriented | Streamlined the recruitment process by implementing an ATS. | Shows initiative and problem-solving. |
| Results-Focused | Reduced time-to-hire by 20% by implementing a new ATS, saving the company $50k annually. | Demonstrates clear value and business impact. |
I always recommend the results-focused approach. It builds credibility and shows that you understand how your work affects the bottom line, which is a top priority for hiring managers.

Keep it simple. I just write what I actually did, using numbers. If I helped fill 10 roles in a month, I say “filled 10 roles per month.” If I cut costs, I say “cut recruitment costs by 15%.” I don’t use fancy words. I just make it easy for a recruiter to scan and see the hard facts. That’s all I do.

I think the biggest mistake is copying the job description from the company’s website. That tells me nothing about you. Instead, I want to see your personal contribution. Write “Improved the candidate screening process by creating a new scoring system” rather than “Assisted with screening.” That small change shows ownership and saves me time as a reviewer.

For a recruiter or HR professional, your CV must reflect an understanding of talent assessment and employer branding. I always write about the specific tools I used, like “Leveraged LinkedIn Recruiter and Workday to build a pipeline.” I also mention any salary negotiation successes or improvements in talent retention rate. Concrete tools and outcomes make the description credible.

I focus on the before and after. In my last job, the department had a high turnover rate. I wrote in my CV: “Implemented a new onboarding program that decreased the talent retention rate issues by 25% within six months.” That one sentence did more for my applications than a whole paragraph of duties. Lead with the change you made.


