Your Resume. Your First Impression

Your resume is the first thing a hiring manager sees — and in luxury retail, first impressions count for everything. At Alex James Bespoke Careers we review hundreds of resumes every year. What follows is an honest guide to what works, and what doesn't.

Correct spelling and grammar
A resume with errors signals carelessness — and carelessness has no place in a luxury environment. Proofread thoroughly, use spell check, and ask someone you trust to read it before you send it. One typo can end a candidacy before it begins.

Employment Dates
Always include the month and year for each role, not just the year. Vague dates raise questions. Be specific and be consistent throughout.

January 2022 – June 2025 November 2025 – Present

Simple and Consistent Layout
Less is more. A simple, well-structured resume is easier to read and far more impressive than an over-designed one. Use a single font throughout at size 11 or 12, keep margins generous, and let the content do the work. Hiring managers are busy — don't make them work to find information.

Succinct and to the point
Be Specific, Not Generic Bullet points work well, but only if they say something meaningful. Aim for four to six points per role and be precise.

Instead of: "Excellent communication skills" Write: "Developed strong client communication skills through daily face-to-face interaction in a high-volume luxury retail environment"

Avoid repeating the same points across multiple roles — paraphrase where responsibilities overlap.

Up to Date Information
Make sure information is current and contact details are up to date and consistent with your LinkedIn profile. There have been a few instances when we had tried to contact a potential candidate after reading a great resume only to find the number had been disconnected. 

Also make sure you’re CV is accurate. We know its hard to remember some dates from your previous roles, but we urge you not to guess.

We hope we have helped you somewhat demystify the world of resume writing. There are a range of resources available on the internet that provides a step to step guide in writing a resume. Our favourites are linked below. Feel free to have a browse.

Ready to take the next step? Register with us and let's find you the right role.