Putting together a CV can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure where to start or what employers really want to see.
But with the right structure and a clear approach, creating a strong, effective CV is completely achievable.
This guide will walk you through how to write a CV, and discuss the common mistakes which you should avoid, to help you land the jobs you’re after.
CV checklist
- I’ve researched the role and identified key skills, qualifications, and keywords.
- I’ve written a short, tailored cover letter to accompany my CV.
- My personal details (name, phone number, email, city/region) are clearly listed at the top.
- I’ve included a professional profile summarising my experience, strengths, and career goals.
- I’ve added a core skills section with bullet points matched to the job description.
- My work experience is listed in reverse chronological order, with job titles, company names, and dates.
- Each role includes bullet points showing my responsibilities and achievements.
- My education and qualifications are clearly listed, including dates and institutions.
- I’ve included hobbies and interests that reflect my personality or transferable skills (and avoided generic ones).
- I’ve used professional, persuasive language throughout.
- I’ve avoided vague phrasing and focused on specific results and contributions.
- I’ve tailored my CV content to the specific job I’m applying for.
- I’ve been honest about my experience—no exaggerations or false claims.
- I’ve used a clean, professional font and layout.
- Bullet points, spacing, and section headings are clear and consistent.
- My CV is no longer than two pages (unless I’m in an academic or highly technical field).
- I’ve saved my CV as a PDF to preserve formatting.
- My file has a professional name (e.g. Firstname_Lastname_CV.pdf).
- I’ve written a short, polite email or message when submitting my CV.
- I’ve double-checked for typos and ensured it’s addressed to the correct recipient
10 steps to writing a perfect CV
Writing a CV isn’t an easy job – but breaking it down into its 10 key steps will make it more manageable.
The following steps will walk you through each part of the process to ensure you’ve got a readable structure and an effective application that convinces recruiters of your value.
1. Researching the role
Before you even open a blank document, take time to research the role you’re applying for.
Read the job description closely and note the key skills, qualifications, and experiences the employer is looking for.
This will help you tailor your CV to match their expectations and use the same language they’re using: make note of the sort of keywords a recruiter would be expecting to see in an application.
2. Writing a cover letter
Although it’s separate from your CV, a cover letter often goes hand-in-hand with it.
Your cover letter should briefly explain who you are, why you’re applying, and why you’re a great fit for the role. It’s your chance to show personality and motivation—something that’s harder to convey in a CV.
Keep it short and focused, as recruiters are only going to be skimming it.
3. Adding your personal details
The top of your CV should cover your personal information. Include your full name, phone number, a professional email address, and your general location (just your city and region – no need for a home address).
You can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile or an online portfolio if it’s relevant to the role. Unless you’re in an industry where a headshot is the norm, skip adding a photo of yourself: it’s always entirely optional, and not usually expected.
4. Creating a professional profile
This short paragraph at the top of your CV (sometimes called a personal statement for junior candidates) is where you tell the employer what you bring to the table, and the value you’ll offer their company.
Keep your profile focused: mention your experience level, important skills, and the kind of role you’re looking for.
Aim for 4-6 sentences that give a clear snapshot of why a hiring manager should choose you over another candidate.
5. Listing your core skills
Underneath your profile, add a section that highlights your core skills. Use bullet points for clarity, and try to match the skills listed to the job you’re applying for.
Focus on hard, tangible skills which recruiters are actively looking for – “teamwork” is great, but industry-specific abilities are what really stand out.
This is among the first things a recruiter is going to see, so make sure the most important skills stand out clearly.
6. Detailing your work experience
Now, for the bulk of your CV. List your previous roles in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent work experience.
For each position, include your job title, the company name, and your dates of employment. Beneath that, give a quick outline of the company and your place within it.
Use bullet points to outline your responsibilities and achievements. Focus on results – use numbers or concrete examples where possible to show the tangible impact you had.
7. Showing your education and qualifications
Your education section should include your qualifications like your degrees and any relevant training or certifications.
Include the name of the institution, the qualification title, and the dates you attended.
If you’re a recent graduate or have little to no work experience, this section can go nearer the top of your CV, and should expand on particularly relevant courses or modules. Otherwise, keep it below your work history.
8. Including your hobbies and interests
Your hobbies and interests can offer insight into your personality, values, and soft skills – often in ways your work experience can’t.
If you’re involved in things like team sports, creative projects, volunteering, or anything that shows commitment, leadership, or initiative, this section is a great place to showcase it.
While this section is entirely optional, it’s especially useful if you’re early in your career or changing industries, as it helps paint a fuller picture of who you are. And avoid generic – “watching Netflix” isn’t going to wow any recruiters.
9. Formatting your CV
Even if your CV is full of impressive experience and expertise, a messy format full of mistakes will cost even the best candidates the job.
Use a clean, readable font and consistent formatting. Keep spacing even, use clear section headings, and avoid big blocks of text – go for bullet points. Ideally, your CV length should be no more than two pages.
10. Sending your CV to recruiters
Now that your CV is finished and in perfect condition, make sure it’s saved in the right format. Always export your CV as a PDF file – this keeps your layout consistent across all devices and avoids any formatting issues.
Make sure you give your file a clear, professional name: John_Smith_CV.pdf looks more polished than CVFinal_V3_Finished.pdf!
When emailing your CV, keep your message short and polite. Include a brief introduction, the role you’re applying for, and make sure to attach both your CV and cover letter (if required). Always double-check for typos and make sure you’re sending it to the correct address.
Common CV mistakes
Even once you’ve detailed your impressive qualifications and work experience, it’s easy to end up another rejected applicant if you make some simple, avoidable mistakes. Make sure your CV avoids the following to boost your odds of getting called back for an interview.
Using the wrong tone
Your CV should use clear, persuasive, and professional language throughout. Think of it like a sales brochure – not for a product, but for you.
The tone you choose reflects your communication skills and gives recruiters a sense of your professionalism, so avoid vague or overly casual phrasing. Instead of saying “helped out with tasks,” aim for confident, descriptive statements like “supported critical business functions” or “coordinated stock management during peak trading periods.”
Not tailoring your CV for the job
Among the most common CV mistakes is sending the same version out to every job.
Employers want to see that you’ve taken the time to understand their role and explain why you’re the right fit: you should tailor your CV to reflect what each specific employer is asking for.
Generic CVs fade into the pile; tailored ones rise to the top. It doesn’t require a complete rewrite – just smart tweaks that show you’re paying attention.
Lying on your CV
Exaggerating your skills or inventing experience is definitely tempting, but it can seriously backfire.
Employers verify qualifications, contact references, and ask detailed interview questions – so any dishonesty is likely to come to light.
A far better approach is to focus on your strengths and explain what you’re doing to improve in areas where you’re still developing.
No mention of your achievements
Listing your responsibilities is important, but if you stop there, you’re only telling half the story.
Employers want to know what kind of impact you had in your previous roles, and how you’ll continue that track record.
A great tip is to sprinkle in some numbers where possible: instead of saying you were “responsible for admin tasks,” highlight outcomes like “streamlined internal reporting processes, reducing admin time by 30%,” which feels much more tangible.
Adding references
There’s no need to include references or even mention that they’re “available on request.”
Recruiters don’t need this information at the application stage, and including it takes up valuable space that could be used for more relevant content.
If an employer wants references, they’ll ask for them later in the process.
CV examples
Take a look at the below CV examples to get an idea of what your own should look like.
FAQs
What does CV stand for?
CV stands for curriculum vitae, a Latin phrase meaning “course of life.” It’s a document summarising your skills, experience, and qualifications.
Can I use AI to write my CV?
AI tools can help generate ideas, wording, or formatting tips, but you should always review and personalise the content to ensure it reflects your experience accurately.
How to write a CV for a job with no experience?
Focus on your transferable skills, education, volunteering, part-time work, or hobbies that demonstrate your abilities and motivation.
Who reads my CV?
Your CV may be reviewed by recruiters, HR professionals, hiring managers, or applicant tracking systems (ATS) before a human ever sees it.
What skills should I put on my CV?
Include skills that match the job description – ideally a mix of technical (e.g. software knowledge) and soft skills (e.g. teamwork, communication).
How long should my CV be?
Most CVs should be no longer than two pages – one page for junior candidates and up to three for senior or academic roles.
Should I add references to my CV?
No – it’s not necessary to include references or state that they’re available on request at this stage. Employers will ask for them when needed.
