You’ve probably heard that recruiters spend only a few seconds reviewing a CV before deciding whether to continue reading.

While every recruiter works differently, first impressions matter. Recruiters often review dozens—or even hundreds—of applications for a single role, so your CV needs to communicate the most important information quickly.

Here are the things recruiters usually notice first.

1. Your Current Job Title

The first thing many recruiters look at is your current or most recent role.

For example:

• Senior Software Engineer
• Backend Developer
• Frontend Developer
• DevOps Engineer
• Data Engineer
• QA Automation Engineer

A clear job title immediately tells the recruiter whether your background matches the position.

2. Years of Experience

Recruiters quickly estimate your level of experience.

Questions they often ask include:

• Is this a junior, mid-level or senior candidate?
• How long have they worked with this technology?
• Have they progressed throughout their career?

Clearly showing employment dates makes this much easier.

3. Technologies

Recruiters scan for keywords that match the job description.

Examples include:

• .NET
• Java
• Python
• React
• Angular
• Node.js
• SQL
• Azure
• AWS
• Docker
• Kubernetes

If the required technologies aren’t visible, your CV may not receive further attention—even if you have relevant experience.

4. Recent Experience

Recruiters pay the most attention to your most recent roles.

Experience from the last three to five years is usually the most relevant.

If you’ve recently worked with modern technologies, make sure they’re clearly highlighted.

5. Career Progression

Recruiters look for evidence that your career has developed over time.

Examples include:

• Junior Developer → Software Engineer
• Software Engineer → Senior Engineer
• Senior Engineer → Technical Lead

Progression suggests increasing responsibility and experience.

6. Stability

Most recruiters don’t expect someone to stay at one company forever.

However, they may notice if you’ve changed jobs every few months without a clear reason.

Context matters, and short-term contracts or company restructures are common, but a stable work history can provide reassurance.

7. Project Experience

Recruiters want to understand the type of software you’ve built.

Rather than writing only responsibilities, include examples such as:

• Built REST APIs
• Developed cloud-native applications
• Migrated systems to Azure
• Designed ETL pipelines
• Improved application performance

Achievements are often more impactful than long lists of daily tasks.

8. CV Layout

A clean, well-organised CV is much easier to review.

A good CV should have:

• Clear headings
• Consistent formatting
• Bullet points
• Easy-to-read fonts
• Plenty of white space

Avoid overly complicated designs that make important information difficult to find.

9. Education and Certifications

For experienced developers, education is usually less important than commercial experience.

However, recruiters may still notice:

• Computer Science degrees
• Cloud certifications
• Microsoft certifications
• AWS certifications
• Kubernetes certifications

Relevant certifications can strengthen your profile, especially if you’re changing careers or specialising in cloud technologies.

10. Spelling and Grammar

Small mistakes won’t usually cost you an interview, but a CV full of spelling or grammar errors can leave a poor impression.

Before applying:

• Check spelling.
• Review formatting.
• Make sure dates are consistent.
• Ask someone else to proofread your CV.

Attention to detail matters in software development.

Common Mistakes

Some of the most common CV mistakes include:

• Listing too many technologies.
• Writing long paragraphs.
• Including outdated skills.
• Failing to mention achievements.
• Using an outdated CV format.
• Not tailoring the CV to the role.

A focused CV is usually much more effective than a generic one.

Tips to Improve Your CV

To make a stronger first impression:

• Put your most relevant skills near the top.
• Highlight recent experience.
• Quantify achievements where possible.
• Keep the layout simple and professional.
• Tailor your CV for each application.

Remember, the goal is to encourage the recruiter to keep reading.

Final Thoughts

Recruiters don’t spend hours reading every CV. The first 30 seconds are often enough to decide whether a candidate matches the role.

A clear job title, relevant technologies, recent experience and a clean layout can significantly improve your chances of being shortlisted.

Instead of trying to include everything you’ve ever done, focus on the experience that’s most relevant to the role you’re applying for.

If you’re looking for your next opportunity, browse the latest software jobs on SoftwareVacancy and connect with employers hiring across Malta.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do recruiters spend looking at a CV?

It varies, but recruiters often spend less than a minute on the first review before deciding whether to continue reading.

What is the most important part of a software developer CV?

Your recent experience, technical skills and achievements are usually the first things recruiters look for.

Should I include every technology I’ve used?

No. Focus on the technologies that are relevant to the role you’re applying for rather than creating a long list of every tool you’ve ever encountered.

Should I customise my CV for each job?

Yes. Tailoring your CV to highlight the skills and experience that match the job description can improve your chances of getting an interview.

Where can I find software jobs in Malta?

SoftwareVacancy regularly publishes opportunities for Software Developers, Frontend Developers, Backend Developers, DevOps Engineers and Data Engineers from employers hiring across Malta.