A CV — short for Curriculum Vitae — is a document that summarises your professional history, skills, and education. It is the first thing most employers will see when you apply for a job, so getting it right is essential. A well-written CV does not just list what you have done — it tells your story in a way that makes a hiring manager want to meet you.
What to Include in Your CV
A strong CV is made up of several key sections. Here is what you need and what to put in each one.
1. Personal Details
Start with your name — displayed prominently at the top. Below that, include:
- A professional email address
- Your phone number
- Your general location (town or city is enough — you do not need your full address)
- A link to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio if relevant
Do not include your date of birth, a photo, or your full home address. These are not expected in modern CVs and can create unnecessary bias.
2. Personal Statement
This is a short paragraph — three to four sentences — at the top of your CV that summarises who you are professionally. Think of it as a pitch: what experience do you bring, what are your strongest skills, and what kind of role are you looking for?
Avoid vague phrases like "hardworking team player" or "passionate professional." Instead, be specific: "Marketing executive with 5 years of experience in B2B SaaS, specialising in content strategy and demand generation."
3. Work Experience
List your work history in reverse chronological order — most recent first. For each role include:
- Job title
- Employer name
- Dates (month and year)
- Four to six bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements
Focus on achievements rather than duties. Instead of "responsible for managing social media," write "grew Instagram following by 40% in six months through a targeted content strategy." Use strong action verbs: managed, delivered, designed, built, led, increased, reduced.
4. Education
Include your school, college, or university, the qualification you achieved, the subject, and the dates. Add grades where they are strong or relevant. If you graduated more than five years ago, keep this section brief — your experience matters more.
5. Skills
Include a mix of technical skills (software tools, programming languages, industry-specific platforms) and soft skills (communication, leadership, problem-solving). Tailor this section to the job description — if they mention specific tools or competencies, make sure they appear here if you have them.
6. Additional Sections
Depending on your background, you might also include:
- Certifications and awards
- Languages spoken
- Volunteering or community work
- Hobbies and interests — but only if they are genuinely relevant or demonstrate transferable skills
CV Formatting Tips
- Length: Keep your CV to two A4 pages maximum. One page is fine for graduates or those early in their career.
- Font: Use a clean, readable font — Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica work well. Stick to 10–12pt for body text.
- Structure: Use clear headings, consistent spacing, and bullet points to make it easy to scan. Hiring managers spend an average of seven seconds on an initial read.
- Proofread: A single spelling mistake can get your CV dismissed. Read it twice, then ask someone else to check it.
- File format: Save and send as a PDF unless the employer specifically asks for a Word document. PDFs preserve your formatting across all devices.
Tailor Your CV for Every Application
The biggest mistake candidates make is sending the same CV to every employer. Tailoring your CV to each role — even small adjustments — significantly increases your chances of getting an interview.
Read the job description carefully and mirror the language it uses. If it mentions "stakeholder management," use that phrase in your CV. Move the most relevant experience to the top of each section. Make it obvious, at a glance, that you are a strong match for this specific role.
Common CV Mistakes to Avoid
- Including outdated or irrelevant experience
- Using a generic personal statement that could apply to any job
- Listing responsibilities instead of achievements
- Using the same CV for every application without customising it
- Making it too long — more pages does not mean more impressive
- Leaving unexplained gaps without addressing them somewhere in the application
Your CV is a living document. Update it regularly, even when you are not actively job hunting, so that achievements and new skills are captured while they are fresh.