How to Write a CV: The Complete Guide with Examples

A CV — short for curriculum vitae, which translates to "course of life" — is a professional document that summarizes your education, work experience, skills, and achievements. It is your primary tool for getting noticed by employers and securing interviews.

Think of your CV as a marketing document. You are the product, and your CV is the advertisement. Its job is to convince a recruiter or hiring manager that you are worth meeting. A well-written CV highlights your strengths, demonstrates your value, and tells a compelling story about your career.

Your CV is often the first impression you make on a potential employer. In a competitive job market, it needs to be sharp, relevant, and mistake-free. A strong CV can be the difference between landing an interview and being overlooked.

Before you start writing, you need to understand the foundational principles that underpin every effective CV.

Tailor Every CV to the Job

This is the single most important rule of CV writing. Never send the same generic CV to every employer. Recruiters can spot a generic CV instantly. It shows a lack of effort and does not highlight how your skills match the specific role. Tailor your CV for each application by using keywords from the job description and highlighting relevant experience.

Focus on Achievements, Not Duties

Many people list only what they were "responsible for" instead of what they actually accomplished. Employers want to see impact, not just tasks. Use action verbs and quantify your results where possible. For example, instead of saying "Responsible for managing social media," say "Increased Instagram engagement by 40% over six months using a targeted content strategy".

Keep It Clean and Professional

Your CV should be easy to read and visually appealing. Use a clean, professional layout with clear headings, consistent formatting, and plenty of white space. Avoid overly creative designs, excessive colours, or graphics unless you are applying for a creative role. A messy CV is hard to read and may be rejected by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

There are three main CV formats to choose from. The right one depends on your experience, career goals, and the job you are applying for.

Chronological CV

The chronological CV is the most common format. It lists your work experience and education in reverse chronological order, with your most recent experience first. This format highlights career progression and is ideal if you have a consistent work history.

Skills-Based (Functional) CV

A skills-based CV organizes your experience around skills rather than job titles. It focuses on what you can do, not where you did it. This format is useful if you are changing careers, have gaps in your employment, or have had many short-term jobs.

Combination (Hybrid) CV

A combination CV merges elements of the chronological and functional styles. It lists your education and work history in reverse chronological order but also includes a dedicated skills section that highlights your key competencies. This format works well when you want to emphasize particular skills for a job.

Proper CV formatting is essential for readability and professionalism. Here are the key formatting rules to follow.

Font and Size

Use a clean, sans-serif font that is easy to read. Good options include Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Lato, and Verdana. Keep the font size between 10 and 11 points for body text, and use a larger size (14–16 points) for your name and section headings.

Margins and Spacing

Maintain margins between 0.5 and 1 inch. Margins that are too wide leave excessive white space, while margins that are too narrow make the page look crowded. Use white space strategically to separate sections and make the document easy to scan.

Length

In the UK, a two-page CV is standard. In the US, a resume is typically one page (or two for experienced professionals). Avoid half pages. If you are a student or recent graduate, aim for one page.

Use Your Name as the Heading

There is no need to write "CV" or "Curriculum Vitae" at the top of your document. Use your name as the heading, followed by your contact details.

Use Bullet Points

Use bullet points to list your responsibilities and achievements. This makes your CV easier to scan and digest. Keep bullet points concise — ideally one to two lines each.

Every CV should include certain essential sections. Here is what to include, section by section.

Contact Details

Include your full name, phone number, and email address. You can also include your location (town or city) so employers know you are local. Optionally, add links to your LinkedIn profile, portfolio, or website. Do not include a photo, your date of birth, gender, or marital status.

Personal Statement (Profile)

A personal statement is a short section at the top of your CV that summarizes who you are and what you are looking for. It should be 2–4 sentences long and tailored to the role. Avoid generic statements like "I am hard-working". Instead, focus on what you can offer the employer.

Work Experience

This is the most important section of your CV. List your jobs in reverse chronological order, with your most recent role first. For each role, include:

• Job title
• Company name and location
• Dates of employment
• Bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements

Focus on achievements, not just duties. Use action verbs and quantify your results where possible.

Education

List your education in reverse chronological order. Include the name of the institution, the dates you attended, and the qualifications you achieved. If you are a recent graduate, you can include relevant modules, projects, or your dissertation.

Skills

List the key skills that are relevant to the job. These can be technical skills (e.g., software proficiency) or soft skills (e.g., communication, problem-solving). Look at the job description and match your skills to what the employer is looking for.

Additional Sections (Optional)

Depending on your experience and the job, you may also include:

• Hobbies and interests — only if they are relevant or demonstrate transferable skills
• Volunteering — shows commitment and community involvement
• Publications, presentations, or awards — especially for academic or research roles
• Professional memberships — shows engagement with your industry
• Languages — useful for international or multilingual roles

The work experience section is the heart of your CV. Here is how to write it effectively.

Use the PAR Method

Structure each bullet point using the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) or STAR (Situation-Task-Action-Result) method:

• Problem/Situation: What was the challenge or context?
• Action: What did you do?
• Result: What was the outcome? (Quantify if possible)

Use Action Verbs

Start each bullet point with a strong action verb. Examples include: achieved, increased, led, managed, developed, improved, reduced, delivered, created, implemented, designed, and negotiated.

Quantify Your Achievements

Numbers make your achievements concrete and impressive. Whenever possible, include metrics:

• "Increased sales by 20% within six months"
• "Reduced customer complaints by 35% through a new training program"
• "Managed a budget of $500,000"
• "Led a team of 12 people"

Even experienced professionals make CV mistakes. Here are the most common errors and how to avoid them.

Once you have mastered the basics, you can use advanced techniques to make your CV stand out.

Use Keywords Strategically

Study the job description and identify keywords — the skills, qualifications, and experience the employer is looking for. Incorporate these keywords naturally throughout your CV. This helps you pass ATS screening and shows the recruiter you are a good match.

Tell a Story

Your CV should tell a coherent story about your career. Each section should build on the previous one, creating a narrative of growth and achievement. Think about the message you want to convey and structure your CV to support that message.

Quantify Everything

Wherever possible, use numbers to demonstrate your impact. Percentages, dollar amounts, and timeframes make your achievements concrete and impressive.

Add a "Key Achievements" Section

For senior roles, consider adding a key achievements section at the top of your CV. This highlights your most impressive accomplishments and grabs the reader's attention immediately.

Optimize for ATS

To pass Applicant Tracking Systems, use standard section headings, include relevant keywords, and avoid complex formatting like tables or graphics. Save your CV as a PDF or Word document, as specified in the job application.

A great CV is not written; it is rewritten. Revision is where your CV goes from good to great. Here is a step-by-step process for revising your CV.

The best way to get better at writing a CV is to practice. Here are some exercises to help you sharpen your skills.