Perfect Your Contractor CV and Secure Your Next Interview

This article was contributed by Damien Sweeney, Principal Consultant, Allura Partners 

If you're a contractor working in project management, business analysis, or other transformation/IT contract roles, your CV is more than a career summary — it's your marketing tool. In today's competitive market, how you present your experience on paper can be the difference between landing an interview and getting passed over.

Every month, I review hundreds of contractor CVs, and it's easy to see why some get more attention than others. Here's what I've learned about creating a contractor CV that actually gets noticed.

Common CV Mistakes

Let's start with the pitfalls I see most often:

1. Too much jargon, not enough substance.  Listing generic tasks like "part of a digital transformation" doesn't tell the reader what you actually did or how you added value. Be specific: what was your role, what challenges did you help solve, what results did you deliver, and how did you compare with others doing a similar role?
2. Submitting the same CV for every role.  Many contractors send the same version of their CV to every opportunity. That's a missed chance. Tailor your CV each time, include relevant keywords from the job description and highlight experience with similar organisations (industry, size, structure, type of projects, etc.). Attention to detail really matters.

How to Write a Contractor CV That Stands Out

1. Start with Tailoring Your CV

Before you hit send, take 10 minutes to customise your CV.

• Review the job ad and research the organisation.
• Look for insights on LinkedIn, the AFR, or even from people in your network who may have worked there, or in similar businesses or projects.
• Understand what the business might be going through — a merger, restructure, or digital uplift — and reflect that awareness in your CV and where you have experienced something similar (if possible - demonstrate you have been on that journey and understand the challenges).

Even if the job ad is vague (which I appreciate a lot of them are), use what you can find to align your experience with their context. In today's slower job market, utilising your network to get inside intel (without breaching confidentiality, obviously) can make a huge difference.

This includes using keywords wisely in your CV. If the role is "Project Manager – Cyber Security," then those words should appear naturally throughout your CV. Recruiters often use Boolean searches to find candidates, so the correct language helps ensure your CV is actually highlighted - make it easy for the reader.

It's far better to apply thoughtfully to a few well-matched roles than to send out 30 untailored applications. Sometimes less is more.

2. Balance Technical Skills and Project Outcomes

Contractors often ask whether to focus on technical expertise or project achievements. The answer? Both — but with context.

Clients constantly tell me they value stakeholder management above almost everything else. So, show how you've influenced and collaborated across business and technical teams, especially with non-technical stakeholders or senior executives. Being that bridge between the project and the business is a key differentiator.

3. Be Detailed, Yet Concise

Each role should include:

• Job title, company, and contract dates
• A short summary of the business and project
• Core responsibilities (3-5 key points)
• Key outcomes or achievements, ideally with measurable results. Ask yourself what you personally contributed.

Example:
Instead of writing "Agile project management," say "Led an agile transformation, reducing sprint cycles by 30% and improving stakeholder satisfaction by 40%."

And be honest. It's easy to spot when a CV has been embellished (or overly polished by AI). A clear, authentic CV builds trust — which counts for more than buzzwords ever will.

Optimise Your Professional Presence

Your CV and LinkedIn profile should tell the same story. I always check LinkedIn after reading a CV, so:

• Use a professional photo.
• Ensure your profile, especially your employment history, matches your CV.
• Highlight key achievements and keywords relevant to your sector.

A consistent online presence signals credibility and attention to detail — two traits clients always value in contractors.

Using AI to Support (Not Write) Your CV

AI tools can be great for helping identify industry-specific language or formatting your document, but don't let them do the writing for you.

Include your real achievements, then refine the output in your own words. Your CV should sound like you — not a template. Overly polished or generic language can make your experience feel impersonal or inauthentic.

If there's one takeaway, it's this: Do your homework, tailor your CV, and prioritise quality applications over volume.

Research the business, connect with people in your network, and show a genuine understanding of the industry and role. A little effort upfront gives you a clear edge.

I also advise against cover letters (unless requested), as they are no longer used. There is no need for a profile picture on your CV so long as there is one on your LinkedIn profile. There is also no requirement for you to include personal details on a CV, such as home address, marital status, age/DOB, or anything other than phone number, email address, LinkedIn profile link, and the city you are located in.

At Allura Partners, we work with contractors every day to help them present their best professional selves. A well-crafted CV tells a story of value, adaptability, and impact, and that's precisely what gets you noticed.

When you're ready to take your contracting career to the next level, reach out to our team. We're here to help you put your best CV forward.