When it comes to applying for jobs, a CV is your opportunity to make a strong first impression. But writing a compelling CV can often feel overwhelming, especially when you’ve little-to-no experience and you’re unsure about what to include or how to format it. This guide will take you through essential tips and advice on how to write a great CV, what to add in a CV, and what a CV should look like to increase your chances of landing your dream job.
What Does CV Mean?
Before diving into the details, let’s start from the basics: what does CV mean? A CV stands for Curriculum Vitae, which translates from Latin to “course of life.” It’s essentially a document that provides a summary of your skills, education, work experience, and qualifications, intended to showcase your suitability for a particular role. A CV is commonly used in the UK, Europe, and many other parts of the world, whereas in the US, a resume is typically preferred for job applications.
Unlike a resume, which is often a brief, one-page overview, a CV can span several pages and is often used in academic, research, and scientific roles. However, for most job applications in the UK, a two-page CV is generally recommended.
What Does a CV Look Like?
A well-structured CV should have a clean, professional layout that is easy to read and allows employers to quickly find the information they’re looking for. The most common format is reverse-chronological, where your most recent experiences and qualifications appear first.
Here’s a basic breakdown of what a CV should look like:
- Contact Information:
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
- LinkedIn profile or personal website (if relevant)
- Personal Profile or Summary:
- This is a concise statement (2–4 sentences) at the top of your CV that summarises your key skills, experiences, and career objectives. Keep it targeted to the role you’re applying for, highlighting what makes you a strong candidate.
- Work Experience:
- List your previous jobs, internships, or volunteer work in reverse-chronological order.
- Include the company name, job title, dates of employment, and key responsibilities.
- Use bullet points to make it easier for hiring managers to scan through the details.
- Education:
- Include your highest qualifications first (e.g., degrees, diplomas, A-levels).
- Mention the name of the institution, the course of study, and the dates attended.
- Skills:
- Highlight relevant skills that match the job description, such as technical abilities, languages, or soft skills like communication and teamwork.
- Achievements or Awards:
- If you’ve received recognition for your work, academics, or extracurricular activities, list them in this section to demonstrate your accomplishments.
- Hobbies and Interests (Optional):
- Including hobbies can give employers insight into your personality, especially if they align with the role or industry. However, this section is optional, and only add it if relevant.
- References:
- You can either list your references here or write “References available upon request.” It’s common to include the latter to save space on your CV.
What to Add in a CV: Essential Sections
Knowing what to add in a CV is crucial to making it stand out. Here are the essential sections every CV should include, along with some tips to help you craft a winning document.
1. Personal Profile or Summary
Wondering what to write in a summary on a resume? This is one of the most important parts of your CV. A well-written summary or personal profile can grab the employer’s attention and set the tone for the rest of the document. Keep it brief but impactful, focusing on your strengths and aligning them with the job you’re applying for.
Example: “Highly motivated marketing graduate with three years of experience in social media management and content creation. Skilled at driving brand awareness through creative campaigns and data-driven insights. Looking to leverage my expertise in a fast-paced, innovative marketing team.”
2. Work Experience
Your work experience section is where you can really show how your background aligns with the role. Be sure to:
- Focus on your achievements, not just your duties.
- Use action verbs like developed, managed, led, or improved to demonstrate your contribution.
- Quantify your achievements where possible, such as “Increased sales by 20% over six months” or “Led a team of five in delivering a high-profile project on time.”
3. Education
Your education section should be concise, highlighting your highest qualifications. If you’re a recent graduate, you may want to place this section above your work experience, especially if your degree is highly relevant to the job.
4. Skills
In today’s competitive job market, employers often look for candidates with a range of hard and soft skills. When writing a CV, tailor your skills section to the job description by highlighting the specific abilities that the employer is seeking.
For example, if you’re applying for a project management role, you might include skills such as:
- Budgeting and financial planning
- Risk management
- Agile methodologies
- Leadership and team management
5. Achievements
Don’t forget to list any achievements that showcase your capabilities. This could be anything from awards you’ve received at work to academic honours. Including these helps to paint a more complete picture of your professional success.
How to Write a Great CV: Key Tips
Now that you know what to add in a CV, let’s look at some key tips on how to write a great CV that will impress employers:
- Tailor Your CV to Each Job: One of the biggest mistakes job applicants make is sending the same CV to every employer. Customise your CV for each job by emphasising the experiences and skills most relevant to the role.
- Keep It Concise and Clear: Employers often spend less than a minute reviewing each CV, so make sure yours is easy to read. Stick to two pages, use clear headings, and avoid large blocks of text.
- Use Keywords from the Job Description: Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan CVs for keywords. Ensure your CV includes terms and skills mentioned in the job description to pass this initial screening.
- Proofread: A CV with typos or grammatical errors can hurt your chances of landing an interview. Double-check your document for mistakes or ask a professional to proofread it for you.
- Be Honest: Don’t exaggerate or lie about your qualifications or experience. Employers can easily verify your background, and dishonesty can result in being disqualified from the hiring process.
Need Help with Your CV?
Creating a standout CV can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re unsure of what to write in the summary on your resume or need a second pair of eyes to catch mistakes, our professional proofreading services are here to help. We’ll ensure your CV is polished, concise, and tailored to the job you’re aiming for.
Let us help you make a great first impression. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can enhance your CV and give you the edge you need to succeed in the competitive job market. Don’t forget, we also offer the best essay writing service in the UK, so whether you’re working on job applications or academic projects, we’ve got you covered!
