7 seconds

Think about how we scroll on social media today. We don’t read every post carefully — we swipe fast, stop only when something grabs us, and move on in seconds.

Now here’s the truth: recruiters look at your CV the exact same way. They’re not reading it like a book, they’re scanning it like a feed. And unless your CV is designed for today’s attention span, it gets ignored.

That’s why the old-style CV — long paragraphs, generic phrases, and no proof — doesn’t work anymore. The modern CV is short, sharp, and scrollable. Just like a reel or a TikTok, it needs to catch attention in the first few seconds.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Keep it clear.
One page. Clean layout. Easy-to-skim bullet points. A recruiter should know who you are in seconds.

2. Make it results-focused.
Don’t just say what you did — show the impact. Instead of “Answered calls,” say, “Resolved 90% of customer issues on the first call.” Numbers make recruiters stop scrolling.

3. Keep it relevant.
Highlight the skills that matter for the job you want. Even past jobs can connect — retail experience becomes conflict resolution, hospitality becomes communication under pressure.

Because just like social media, if you don’t grab attention in those first few lines, people swipe right past.

So, adapt your CV to modern times. Think like a content creator: be clear, show results, and stay relevant. That’s how you make recruiters stop scrolling — and start noticing you.

With all my heart, I believe in you and your journey.

Wil Visser