As the new year kicks off, a significant shift is underway in the UK workforce. Almost half of office workers are planning a career change in 2026, with 38% already scouring job listings, according to research from the Global Payroll Alliance. However, the pursuit of a new position is tougher than it has been for nearly a decade, with intense competition for every available role.
The Stiff Competition Facing Job Seekers
The current landscape is daunting for applicants. Official figures show there are now 2.5 unemployed people for every job vacancy, marking the highest level of competition since July 2015, excluding the pandemic period. The reality of these numbers was brought home for one job-seeker, who told Metro that at a recent interview she was informed 615 people had applied for the same position.
With such pressure, candidates need every possible advantage. Fortunately, HR experts agree that one straightforward amendment to your curriculum vitae can dramatically improve your prospects of securing an interview.
From Outputs to Outcomes: The CV Revolution
The standard approach of listing job titles and duties is now considered a critical error. Jim Moore, an employee relations expert at HR consultancy Hamilton Nash, observes a common flaw in many applications.
"I see lots of CVs where applicants describe in great (and boring!) detail all the tedious tasks they performed in their role, but never how it benefited the company," he explains. "Swap outputs for outcomes, and use examples and numbers where possible to show how you added value for your employer."
This sentiment is echoed by Liz Sebag-Montefiore, a career coach and CEO of HR consultancy 10Eighty. She emphasises that hiring managers skim-read applications, so leading with achievements is crucial.
"Leading with outcomes helps them instantly answer the question 'What value does this person create?'," she says. "It also signals commercial awareness and confidence, which are often what differentiate candidates competing for the same role or pay band."
How to Implement the Change
The advice is to transform the first three to five bullet points under each previous role to focus on results, not responsibilities. For instance, instead of writing "Managed social media accounts," you should write "Grew social media engagement by 35% over six months, driving a 15% increase in website traffic."
Liz Sebag-Montefiore warns against opening with a passive list of duties using phrases like "responsible for" or "involved in". A results-driven approach turns a CV from a descriptive document into a persuasive one, without needing to add length or exaggerate.
A note of caution: experts advise retaining key terminology from the job description, as many firms use AI screening tools that filter applications based on matching keywords. The goal is to reframe duties as demonstrable achievements.
The Cardinal Sin of Job Applications
Beyond refining your bullet points, there is one critical error that can immediately sink your chances. Jim Moore identifies the worst mistake a candidate can make.
"One of the worst CV mistakes you can commit is to send exactly the same CV to every role you apply for without updating it," he states. "There's nothing worse than a generic CV that doesn't hit the mark."
A successful CV must, in his words, "scream out 'we're made for each other'." This necessitates tailoring each application to the specific employer and position. To stand out before a recruiter moves on, your CV must answer key questions: Why does this company align with your aspirations? What makes you a perfect fit and a better investment than other candidates?
A clear, tailored CV that highlights real achievements will always stand out more than one packed with vague, generic descriptions. In a market where hundreds might apply for a single role, this personalised, outcome-focused approach is no longer just advice—it's a necessity for anyone serious about landing their next job in 2026.
