Click here to download a free CV template
Your CV is your first chance to make a strong impression on potential employers. Whether you're applying for your first job, a career change, or a new opportunity, a well-crafted CV can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview. In this guide, we'll walk you through the key steps on how to write a CV, from structure to formatting, so you can create a document that showcases your skills and experiences effectively.
1. How Do I Write a CV?
Writing a CV can seem daunting, but breaking it down into simple steps will make the process much easier. Here’s how to structure your CV:
- Personal Information: Start with your full name, professional title (if applicable), phone number, email address, and location (city and country). You don’t need to include your full address for privacy reasons.
- Personal Profile: A brief introduction (3-4 lines) summarising your experience, strengths, and career goals. This section should be tailored to the job you’re applying for.
- Key Skills: List a mix of hard and soft skills relevant to the role. For example, communication, project management, or specific technical skills like software proficiency.
- Work Experience: Include relevant work experience, starting with the most recent job. For each role, provide the job title, company name, dates of employment, and bullet points highlighting your key responsibilities and achievements.
- Education: List your qualifications, starting with the most recent. Include the degree or certificate, institution, and dates attended. You can also include any relevant courses or certifications.
- Additional Sections (if applicable): You can add sections such as volunteer experience, awards, publications, or languages spoken, depending on the job and your background.
2. What Should I Include in My CV?
When writing your CV, it’s important to focus on the most relevant information. Here’s what to include:
- Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn (if applicable).
- Personal Statement: A short introduction outlining your career objectives and why you’re a good fit for the role.
- Skills: Key abilities that match the job description, such as technical skills, leadership, or customer service.
- Experience: Include all work history that’s relevant to the position. Highlight achievements and the skills you used in each role.
- Education: Your highest level of education, along with any additional training or certifications that are relevant to the role.
- Additional Information: This could be languages spoken, volunteer work, or hobbies that demonstrate transferable skills.
3. How Long Should a CV Be?
A CV should be concise while still providing enough detail to demonstrate your qualifications. Generally:
- 1-2 Pages: For most people, a CV should be one or two pages long. If you have several years of experience, a two-page CV is perfectly fine. Keep it concise, focusing on the most relevant information.
- Entry-Level Candidates: If you're just starting out in your career or have limited experience, aim for a one-page CV that highlights your skills, education, and any relevant experience.
Always remember that your CV should be easy to read and not overloaded with unnecessary details.
4. How Do I Tailor My CV to a Job?
Tailoring your CV is one of the most important steps to increase your chances of getting hired. Here’s how:
- Match Your Skills to the Job Description: Carefully read the job posting and highlight the key skills and experiences the employer is looking for. Make sure these are prominent on your CV.
- Use Keywords: Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter CVs. Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description to help ensure your CV makes it through.
- Customise Your Personal Statement: Your personal profile should reflect the specific job you're applying for. Emphasise the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the role.
5. What Is the Best CV Format?
Choosing the right format for your CV is crucial for readability and presentation. There are three common formats:
- Reverse Chronological: This is the most common format, listing your work experience from most recent to oldest. It’s great for those with a clear career progression.
- Functional CV: This focuses on skills and experience rather than work history. It’s ideal if you’re changing careers or have gaps in your employment.
- Combination CV: A mix of the reverse chronological and functional formats, this is ideal if you have a strong skill set and work experience that should be highlighted equally.
For most people, the reverse chronological format is the easiest and most effective.
6. How Do I Write a CV for a Career Change?
If you're changing careers, you might not have direct experience in your new field. Here’s how to write a CV for a career change:
- Emphasise Transferable Skills: Focus on skills that are applicable to the new role. For example, communication, problem-solving, and project management skills can transfer across industries.
- Highlight Relevant Experience: If you’ve done any volunteer work, freelance projects, or courses related to the new career, be sure to include these.
- Personal Statement: Tailor your personal statement to show your motivation for the career change and your passion for the new field.
7. How Do I Write a CV for an Internship or First Job?
When applying for an internship or your first job, focus on your education, skills, and any relevant experience (such as part-time work or volunteering). Here's how to structure it:
- Education First: Put your education at the top of your CV, along with any relevant coursework or projects.
- Skills and Interests: Emphasise your skills and interests that align with the role. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing internship, highlight your social media skills, content creation, or any related coursework.
- Volunteer Experience: If you have any volunteer work, list it like a job, highlighting any skills or responsibilities that relate to the role.
8. Should I Include References on My CV?
It’s not necessary to include references on your CV unless specifically asked. Instead, simply write “References available upon request”. Employers typically don’t contact references until later in the hiring process, so it’s best to save space on your CV and provide references when asked.
9. How Do I Format My CV?
Formatting your CV is just as important as the content. A clean, professional layout ensures your CV is easy to read. Here’s what to consider:
- Font: Use a professional, easy-to-read font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Keep the font size between 10-12pt.
- Headings: Use bold headings to separate sections clearly.
- Margins and Spacing: Keep margins at around 1 inch and use line spacing of 1.15 or 1.5 to make your CV easy to scan.
- PDF Format: Save your CV as a PDF to ensure it keeps its formatting when emailed to employers.
Conclusion
Writing a CV is an essential part of your job search, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful task. By following these tips and focusing on your strengths and relevant experiences, you can create a CV that stands out to employers. Tailor your CV for each role, keep it concise, and always focus on quality over quantity.
With the right CV, you’ll be well on your way to securing interviews and landing your next job!