Top tips and advice on how to write a CV.

The first thing to include on your CV is your personal details—like your name, job title, location, phone number, and email address. Some people also add a link to their LinkedIn profile or other relevant social media accounts. In fact, a 2019 study by ResumeGo found that having a LinkedIn profile on your CV increases your chances of getting a call-back by 71%.

This information is important and should be right at the top, with your name as the title. Without it, the hiring manager won’t know who you are or how to reach you, and they’ll likely move on to the next CV!

Next up is your personal statement. Not sure what to write? It’s just a short paragraph that explains who you are as a professional and why you’re a great fit for the job.

Also called a personal profile, this section should be just a few sentences highlighting what you do, what you bring to the table, and your general career goals.

Keep it brief and to the point, making sure every word counts.

The largest part of your CV should focus on your previous jobs, describing what you did, the experiences you gained, and the skills you developed.

List each job in reverse order, starting with the most recent, covering up to the last 10 years. Skip any roles that aren’t relevant to the job you're applying for.

If you’re not sure what to include, start by listing the job titles and dates for each role. Under each title, use bullet points to highlight your key achievements, responsibilities, and skills. Try to match these points with what’s in the job description to keep it relevant.

A good tip is to avoid personal pronouns (like 'I' or 'me'). Instead, begin each bullet point with an action verb like 'developed,' 'analyzed,' or 'designed.' Studies show this can increase your chances of getting an interview by 140%.

Including key skills in your CV can also boost interview chances by 59%. Many companies use software to scan CVs for specific keywords, so make sure your skills match the job description.

Research shows that candidates often include only 60% of the hard skills and 28% of the soft skills mentioned in the job description. This highlights the importance of tailoring your CV for each job.

When describing your work, focus on tangible results. Instead of just saying you led a project, mention the outcomes—like increases in sales or engagement. This helps employers understand your impact. Surprisingly, only 26% of CVs include five or more measurable outcomes, and 36% have none at all.

Your education and qualifications section should be short and listed in reverse order, starting with the most recent. Include the name of the school or institution, the dates you attended, and what you studied. Be sure to add your grades next to each qualification.

If you completed any modules, projects, or assignments that are relevant to the job, you can list them under the main qualification.

This is also a great spot to include any professional certifications or licenses you’ve earned.

There are many other things you can include on your CV, depending on what the job needs:

1. Languages – Even if the job doesn’t require it, listing languages you know and your fluency level can make you stand out.
2. Publications – If you’ve been published in academic or industry journals, especially if the job is academic or media-related, be sure to mention them.
3. Software Skills – If the job requires specific software knowledge (like coding or design tools), make sure to list those.
4. Conference Attendance – Mentioning relevant conferences you’ve attended shows your industry involvement.
5. Interests and Hobbies – If they’re related to the industry or job, feel free to add them.
6. If you completed any modules, projects, or assignments that are relevant to the job, you can list them under the main qualification.

This is also a great spot to include any professional certifications or licenses you’ve earned.

The formatting of your CV depends on various factors, including its type and the specific role you're applying for.

Typically, a two-page CV is considered optimal. According to Zety's 2019 analysis of 133,000 CVs, those with two pages were 2.9 times more likely to receive a response from managers compared to single-page submissions. Entry-level applicants also saw a 1.4 times higher response rate.

Choose a simple, professional font like Arial in black. Utilize clear formatting with bold headers and organized spacing to enhance readability.

For more insights on CV formatting, explore our CV hub for diverse examples and templates.