At this time of year, many of you will be thinking about 2026 and wondering if it’s time to find a new role. If so, polishing your CV and LinkedIn profile is one of the easiest ways to get job-ready. And as someone who scans hundreds of profiles every week, I can tell you that the basics matter far more than people realise.

Here’s what I’m seeing, and how you can stand out quickly and confidently.

 

1. The common frustrations

At Campfire, we look at a huge volume of CVs and LinkedIn profiles every day. The patterns are consistent.

Too long or too vague

NZ employers prefer clarity and brevity. Five-page CVs, walls of text, and generic responsibilities tend to get skimmed over.

Missing dates, missing context

You’d be surprised how often roles have no timeframes, no summary, or no explanation of what the company does.

No results

Many CVs list tasks, but very few show impact. Recruiters need to see what you achieved, not just what you were responsible for.

LinkedIn profiles left half empty

Some candidates have a polished CV but an incomplete or outdated LinkedIn, which weakens their chances. Recruiters check LinkedIn instantly, even if they found you elsewhere.

These mistakes are easy to fix, and doing so lifts your visibility immediately.

 

2. The essentials

If you only do a few things, make them these.

Keep it to two or three pages

NZ hiring managers prefer concise, focused CVs. You can still show depth without going long.

Start with a strong summary

A short opening paragraph that explains your experience level, key strengths, and focus areas gives recruiters a quick read on who you are.

Use a clear structure

Include role titles, company names, short descriptions of each organisation, dates, and a few bullet points showing what you achieved.

Show impact with numbers

Even small metrics help. Think:

  • Engagement lifts
  • Revenue contribution
  • Campaign performance
  • Conversion changes
  • Cost savings

Numbers anchor your work in real outcomes.

Your LinkedIn headline matters

Instead of something vague like Marketing Specialist, try something more precise, such as Marketing Specialist focused on paid social and content. It helps you surface in the right searches.

 

3. What to avoid

A few things that consistently weaken otherwise strong candidates:

Overly flowery language

Stick to plain English. NZ employers value straight talking clarity.

Huge blocks of text

Busy hiring managers skim. If your CV looks heavy, it’ll be harder to process quickly.

Trying to sound like someone you’re not

Your tone should be genuine and confident, not corporate or inflated.

Buzzword stuffing

Words like strategic, dynamic, and passionate lose meaning without evidence. Show, don’t tell.

 

4. Easy improvements

These are the quick wins I recommend most often:

Add a skills section

List core tools, platforms, and channels you’re comfortable with. This helps with scanning and search visibility.

Use a clean, modern layout

It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be easy to read.

Refresh your LinkedIn photo

A clear, friendly, recent photo lifts your profile instantly.

Turn on Open to Work (carefully)

Choose the setting that only shows to recruiters if you prefer to keep your search private.

Share one or two pieces of work

Even one post summarising a project can strengthen your credibility.

Keep your job titles consistent

If your CV says Senior Marketing Executive but LinkedIn says Marketing Manager, it creates confusion.

 

5. My checklist

A simple list you can use before sending your next application:

  • Is your CV two to three pages with clear, skimmable formatting?
  • Have you listed your achievements rather than only your tasks?
  • Have you added at least a few metrics to show impact?
  • Do your CV and LinkedIn match in dates, job titles, and tone?
  • Is your summary strong and specific?
  • Have you removed jargon and unnecessary filler?
  • Does your LinkedIn headline describe what you actually do?
  • Have you uploaded a recent, professional looking photo?
  • Have you listed your tools and channels clearly?
  • Would someone scanning for ten seconds understand your strengths?

If you can tick most of these, you’re already ahead of a large portion of the market.

My final word

A great CV and LinkedIn profile aren’t about being flashy. They’re about being clear, confident, and easy to understand. If you show real impact, keep things succinct, and tell your story well, you’ll stand out to recruiters quickly.

If you’d like a sense check or want help getting job-ready for 2026, the Campfire team and I are always happy to take a look.

Got a question for an upcoming #AskAmelia?

Email me at askamelia@campfirerecruitment.co.nz, and your question could be featured in the next post.

 

Source: Amelia Cranfield, 2nd December 2025