How to Write a Talent Acquisition CV

As a talent acquisition specialist or manager, your primary responsibility is to identify, attract, and secure top talent for specialised roles. To excel in this profession, you need strong communication skills, exceptional organisational abilities, adaptability, and strategic decision-making.

While talent acquisition vs. recruitment may seem similar, the key difference lies in the long-term, strategic approach of talent acquisition, focusing on employer branding, workforce planning, and proactive candidate sourcing.

Types of talent acquisition roles include but are not limited to:

• Talent acquisition specialist

• Talent acquisition manager

• Head of talent acquisition

• Employer branding specialist

• Executive search consultant.

If you're aspiring to break into or grow within this field, check out our talent acquisition CV example for inspiration. Keep reading to learn how to write a modern, ATS-friendly CV that increases your chances of landing interviews.

Many recruitment consultants transition into talent acquisition roles to progress in their careers. This move is common as both fields require similar skill sets, industry knowledge, and qualifications. If you're switching careers, refer to our career change CV example to ensure a smooth transition.

Want to learn how to write a good CV that helps you secure top talent acquisition roles? Explore our CV templates, expert tips, and actionable strategies to take your job search to the next level!

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Talent acquisition CV example

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Emma, a skilled Talent Acquisition Specialist holding a Certified Recruitment Professional (CRP) credential, has utilised the simple CV layout by using our Otago template. Since 2016, she has advanced through various positions, and she is currently aiming to secure a job in a different industry with her updated, contemporary, and reader-friendly CV.

What to include in a talent acquisition CV?

A CV acts as the gateway to opportunities, the first impression you leave on potential employers, and the key to unlocking doors in the competitive world of talent acquisition. It should contain personal details, a LinkedIn profile, and a current location. Following this is a concise personal profile, work experience, education, and skills. Let's dive in and unravel the secrets to capturing the attention of potential employers and landing your dream job.

• Personal Details: Include contact information. While a photo is optional, headshots are highly recommended in this industry.

• Personal Profile: Showcase your passion, skills, and what sets you apart.

• Work History: List relevant acting or theatre experience.

• Education: Include formal training and acting school details.

• Skills: Highlight relevant acting expertise.

1. Summary for a talent acquisition CV

This brief summary at the top of your CV is important for showing potential employers a brief overview of your experience, skills, and relevant qualifications. This includes but is not limited to talent acquisition partners, advisors, business development officers, or talent management.

For more examples and tips, refer to how to write a personal profile on a CV.

For additional advice, check out the top soft skills to include on your CV.

2. Top talent acquisition skills to put on your CV

A good talent acquisition manager should have strong interpersonal, technical, and marketing skills. In order to successfully showcase this on a CV, we recommend creating different sections or strategically incorporating them throughout. By doing this, you provide potential employers with insights into your areas of expertise and qualifications while ensuring it is ATS-friendly.

For more examples and tips, refer to what skill to put on a CV.

3. Include relevant talent acquisition experience

Whether you started your career as a recruiter or you are hoping to find a different role, it is always challenging to write your experience in just a few lines. Nonetheless, we recommend being strategic when writing this section. One way is to list your key day-to-day duties, followed by a few key achievements. In the end, the goal is to provide a comprehensive account of your responsibilities and contributions in the form of achievements. 

For more tips, refer to our article on how to list achievements on a CV.

Junior Talent Acquisition Specialist, Recruitee, London, UK | 2019 - 2023

Spearheaded full-cycle recruitment processes, including sourcing, screening, and interviewing candidates for various positions within the organisation. Collaborated with hiring managers to define job requirements and ensure a strong alignment between candidate profiles and company needs. Utilised ATS to manage candidate pipelines and streamline the recruitment process. 

• Co-developed talent acquisition strategies and participated in talent planning sessions to support the company's growth. 

• Coordinated and attended 15+ career fairs and networking events to build a strong talent network. 

Talent Acquisition Manager, CX Solutions, London, UK | 2019 - Present

Lead a team of junior talent acquisition specialists in executing recruitment strategies and meeting hiring targets. Conduct regular training sessions for the team to enhance their recruitment skills and knowledge. Managed the employer brand and oversaw the company's presence on job boards, social media, and other platforms. Collaborate closely with senior leadership to understand the long-term talent needs of the organisation. 

• Developed a comprehensive recruitment plan for various departments, ensuring alignment with the company's goals and culture.

• Implemented workforce planning strategies aligned with the company's long-term goals, ensuring a stable and highly skilled global workforce.

Global Talent Acquisition, Aldo, London, UK | 2018 - 2022

Played a key role in the global talent acquisition team, supporting recruitment efforts across multiple offices and regions. Collaborated with regional talent acquisition specialists to share best practices and ensure consistent processes. Conducted market research and analysis to stay updated on industry trends and competitor practices. Participated in cross-functional project teams to improve HR processes and candidate experiences.

• Expanded talent acquisition efforts into new global markets, resulting in a 60% increase in the company's international workforce within two years.

• Implemented data-driven recruitment strategies and streamlined the hiring process, reducing time-to-fill by 20% and cutting recruitment costs by 15%.

• Led a global talent acquisition team, achieving higher levels of productivity and engagement, resulting in a 15% increase in team performance and a lower turnover rate.

For additional guidance, refer to our article on how to write work experience on a CV.

4. Talent acquisition education or certifications on a CV

Since talent acquisition is closely related to human resources, a degree is preferred, but also, with relevant recruitment experience, you can progress into this role. Remember that listing education on a CV, whether formal or informal, is essential. If you're considering a career in human resources, our HR CV example is a great place to begin.

To find additional guidance on enhancing your video editor CV, consult our article about effectively presenting courses and certificates on a CV.

Talent acquisition courses in the UK:

• Training Express

• The Knowledge Academy

• One Education

• CHRMP Talent Acquisition

• Social Talent Academy.  

Key takeaways

Writing a good talent acquisition CV requires a delicate balance between showcasing key skills and how you can translate a vision into reality. By structuring your CV to include a targeted personal profile, work experience, and skills sections, you can present yourself as a strong candidate for the position.

• Personal summary: Highlight recruiting expertise and hiring success.

• Key skills: Include sourcing, full-cycle recruitment, ATS proficiency, and employer branding.

• Achievements with metrics: Use numbers to showcase hiring efficiency and impact

• Industry knowledge & adaptability: Show experience in different sectors and hiring challenges.

• ATS-friendly formatting: Use clear headings, relevant keywords, and simple formatting.

• Certifications & tools: List relevant certifications (e.g., SHRM, PHR) and recruitment software.

Next steps?

We provide a wide range of CV templates and CV examples that can be customised to your specific preferences. If you would like expert guidance on CVs or cover letters, explore our professional CV Writing Services.

FAQs

How can I get into talent acquisition?

Gain experience in HR or recruitment, develop sourcing and interviewing skills and learn ATS tools. Networking and certifications (e.g., CIPD, AIRS) can help.

How do you write a strong Talent Acquisition CV?

Highlight sourcing, recruitment, and ATS experience. Use metrics to show success (e.g., reduced time-to-hire, improved candidate quality).

Is talent acquisition the same as recruitment?

No. Recruitment fills immediate roles, while talent acquisition focuses on long-term hiring strategy, employer branding, and talent pipeline.

What key skills are needed for talent acquisition?

Sourcing, candidate assessment, stakeholder management, negotiation, employer branding, and market knowledge.

How does talent acquisition differ from HR?

Talent acquisition specialises in hiring, while HR covers broader areas like employee relations, payroll, and compliance.

What is the highest position in talent acquisition?

Roles include Talent Acquisition Manager, Head of Talent Acquisition, Director of Talent Acquisition, and Chief People Officer (CPO).

What are the different models of talent acquisition?

• In-house recruitment – Internal HR team hires directly.

• RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing) – Hiring is outsourced.

• Agency recruitment – Third-party recruiters fill roles.

• Executive search – Specialised firms recruit senior executives.