How to Reverse Engineer Your CV

Your CV isn’t just a document; it’s your first opportunity to tell a story that positions you as the solution to a company’s problem. But far too often, candidates create a CV that lists responsibilities instead of outcomes, leaving hiring managers guessing why they should care.

Reverse engineering your CV is about thinking like the employer: understanding what they need, what challenges they face, and how you can demonstrate that you’re the person to meet those needs.

It’s a different take on creating your resume, it takes a little more time (maybe AI can help…) but worth it when the results come in.

Start with the Role in Mind

Before drafting or updating your CV, revisit the job description and any company insights you can find on the prospective business. Look for recurring themes: technical skills, project experience, or soft skills that seem critical.

Remember these phrases, words and skills are not random. They are helping to solve something bigger within.

Your CV should speak directly to these priorities. Highlight achievements that demonstrate your ability to deliver results in areas that matter most to them. For example, if the role emphasises leadership in cross-functional teams, showcase a project where you coordinated multiple stakeholders to a successful outcome, not just that you attended meetings.

Focus on Achievements, Not Responsibilities

One of the most common CV mistakes is listing duties instead of accomplishments. Reverse engineering flips this approach: think about what value you delivered in each role. Quantify wherever possible.

• Did you increase efficiency? By how much?

• Did a project you led improve customer satisfaction? By what metric?

• Did you help your team achieve revenue or growth targets?

Numbers and outcomes tell the story hiring managers want to see but be mindful of what we call vanity metrics. Metrics we cannot test or support. Bring to the forefront only those you can back up or someone can if asked in a reference call… we have seen too many lies when it comes to percentages, don’t get caught out.

Mirror the Employer’s Language

Hiring managers skim CVs quickly. Using the language of the job description; key phrases, technical terms, and priority skills, helps your CV resonate immediately. This isn’t about keyword stuffing; it’s about demonstrating that you understand the role and are already thinking in their terms.

For tech roles, this might mean clearly listing relevant frameworks, tools, or methodologies. For product or business-focused positions, it could mean emphasising strategic initiatives, collaboration, or market impact.

Your research will highlight this further but as often as you can, use their language.

Structure for Maximum Impact

A well-structured CV guides the reader to your strongest points. Start with a professional summary that clearly communicates your value proposition, then organise your experience to highlight achievements first. Use bullet points to make results easy to digest, and ensure each section reinforces your overarching narrative.

Think of your CV as a story the hiring manager reads in minutes: every line should advance the plot and showcase why you are the right solution for the role.

Hint… do not start with the first role in your career (unless it was last your role) as this will not be relevant to as your most recent.

Tailor Each Application

Even a strong CV benefits from tailoring. No two roles are identical, even if they are titled the same. Adjust your CV to emphasise the experience and skills most relevant to each position. This doesn’t require a complete rewrite rather strategic tweaks in your summary, key achievements, or skills sections can make your application much more compelling.

Reverse engineering your CV transforms it from a static list of jobs into a targeted tool that demonstrates value, impact, and alignment with the employer’s needs. When you think like the hiring manager, you create a narrative that resonates, improves your chances of landing an interview, and positions you as the solution rather than just another applicant.

At Peritus Partners, we guide candidates through this process every day, helping them craft CVs that highlight outcomes, reflect strategic thinking, and capture attention. A CV designed with reverse engineering in mind doesn’t just open doors, it starts the conversation in the right way.

If you need further support here, check out Peritus Academy (Peritus Academy | Peritus Partners), a one stop shop for all things resume, interviewing, negotiating and branding!