How to make a CV: Writing tips and examples

Choose your CV template

A CV template ensures that you don’t forget any important elements of your CV. It contains all the necessary sections, so all you have to do is fill them in.
Choose a template that suits your industry and personal style. You will find a variety of templates in our collection, from simple and conservative to more creative and colourful.

Decide on the appropriate CV format

Choose a CV format that best suits your job profile. Think about your skills, experience and the type of job you are applying for.

There are two main CV formats

• Chronological: Lists work experience and education in reverse chronological order. It is most often supplemented with key responsibilities and achievements from a particular job, which is why it is sometimes referred to as a combined format.
• Skills-based: Also known as functional. Focuses on skills rather than work history. This format is most often chosen by people who are new to the labour market or who have had long gaps in employment.

The most commonly used format in the UK is chronological, or rather reverse chronological, with the addition of responsibilities and achievements.

Add your contact information

Adding your contact details to your CV may seem obvious, but it’s a vital step that shouldn’t be overlooked. Your contact details are essential for potential employers to reach you easily. Ensuring this section is formatted correctly will make your details clear and accessible.

Here’s what you should include:

1. Your full name
2. Residential address

   • If you don’t feel comfortable including your full postal address, consider adding only the city and postcode of your residence.

     Like this:
     53 Church Way
     Bradford, BD1 9JR

     Or just this:
     Bradford, BD1 9JR

3. Phone number
   • Provide a phone number where you can be easily reached. If you have a voicemail, make sure the greeting on it is professional.
4. Email address

   • Use a professional email address, ideally one that includes your name. If you don’t have one, consider creating it for the job purposes.

   Now onto the additional information you might want to include in your contact section:

5. Your LinkedIn profile
   • The addition of your LinkedIn profile can be very beneficial, as employers can see your professional network and endorsements.
6. GitHub Profile
   • This applies to candidates looking for technical jobs. Including a GitHub profile can help showcase your projects and coding skills.
7. Website/Portfolio
   • In creative fields such as art, design and writing, your work speaks for itself. Include a link to your personal website or online portfolio in your contact section – it’s a direct way for potential employers to explore your creativity and skills.

Open your CV with a strong personal statement

Your personal statement, placed at the top of your CV just after your contact details, serves as an introduction to your professional profile. It is designed to grab recruiters’ attention and encourage further reading. Highlight any notable achievements, experiences or skills that make you stand out from other candidates.
A well-written personal statement should be concise, engaging and clearly communicate why you are the right candidate.

Outline your experience to show your career path

When writing the work experience section of your CV, use bullet points in reverse chronological order to clearly outline your career path and showcase your qualifications. Use tangible values to highlight your key achievements. Ideally, focus on the last three jobs or the last ten years of your career.

If you have limited work experience, highlight your skills and include any internships and volunteer work you’ve done. However, if you’re looking for your first job and have no work experience at all, follow our guide to writing a CV with no work experience. It will help you stand out by demonstrating your skills and enthusiasm through other relevant activities.

What if you got a promotion?

You can start by proudly presenting this in your personal statement. Highlight the skills and achievements that have contributed to your promotion, using figures and data to quantify your impact. This approach will clearly demonstrate the extent of your contributions.

Next, use your work history section to clearly highlight your career progression. Use bullet points to present your achievements and responsibilities. This will demonstrate your ability to take on new challenges and adapt to different environments.

Create my CV

Include key roles and quantify top achievements

Providing tangible, measurable values gives a better idea of the impact on achievement and provides concrete evidence of success.

For example, instead of simply writing:

use numbers to show the extent of your impact by writing:

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Highlight relevant skills

Employers want candidates who are not only qualified for the job but also adaptable to new challenges.

Think about this when listing skills on your CV.

Include about 6-10 qualities that highlight both hard and soft skills. Hard skills are specific to the job you’re applying for, such as technical skills or industry-specific knowledge. Soft, transferable skills, on the other hand, can be applied in a variety of situations and are crucial for building relationships with colleagues and contributing to a positive working environment.

Demonstrate a balanced mix of these skills to show your versatility and willingness to tackle different challenges in the workplace.

Add your degrees

The education section usually appears last on your CV. If you have more than one entry, list them in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. For each entry, include the degree or qualification earned, the course of study, the name of the institution, and the year of graduation. This format ensures that employers can easily see your most recent and relevant educational achievements.

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Pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen CVs. To ensure your CV gets through the initial screening process, read the job posting carefully to identify keywords that describe the most important requirements and responsibilities. Look for the specific skills, qualifications and experience the employer is looking for to know which words to include in your CV. Use these keywords naturally throughout your CV, especially in sections such as your professional profile, work experience, skills and education.

Action verbs for your CV

Some words are more persuasive than others. Using strong action verbs can help you better express your achievements and responsibilities. Here are some powerful action verbs to consider:

Proofread and edit to ensure good readability

Carefully proofread your CV to ensure it is error-free and demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail. Check it thoroughly for spelling and grammatical errors and inconsistencies in formatting. Make sure your email address and telephone number are correct.

Edit your CV so that it fits neatly on one page, is concise and focuses on key achievements and relevant information. A well-organised and tailored CV increases your chances of making a positive impression on potential employers. This approach demonstrates commitment and professionalism, which increases the chances of a successful application.