How to Write a Successful CV

When you make a CV, you need to choose the right template. Take a look at our examples and note the structure, format, and language used, then ensure that your CV fits your profession.

The structure of your CV needs to be easy to navigate. Separate sections should be emphasised with headings. Bullet points in sections such as ‘Employment History’ and ‘Skills’ make it easy for a recruiter to find vital keywords.

The most common CV format is the reverse chronological format. In this CV format, your most recent work experience is listed first so recruiters see the most recent position you’ve risen to.

If you lack work experience you might want to opt for a skills-based format, which emphasises educational achievements and transferable skills.

CV examples show how to write a CV that gets you the job you’re looking for. You’ll be able to examine the template used, the format for specific positions, and the way in which the facts are set out.

Since recruiters only spend 6 seconds reading the average CV, keep it to one or two sides of A4.

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Typos and grammatical errors.
• Not using the keywords that a recruiter and an ATS will look for. Study the job ad and relevant example CVs to find the right keywords to use.
• Using clichéd words and phrases like ‘hard working’, 'motivated’ and ‘team player’. A recruiter will expect some, but keep your language fresh.

An online CV builder makes writing a curriculum vitae simple. You get a template designed by professionals for the position you’re applying for, making it easy to focus on content. Sample text, tips, and advice lend a helping hand along the way.

Choose the most relevant achievements to the job in question and back them up with specific facts. Rather than saying ‘strong track record of boosting sales’ explain that you ‘increased sales in the south-east region by 15% in two months’.

A personal statement at the top of a CV will give a recruiter a brief but effective summary of who you are, the position you are applying for, and what you could bring to the role.

In the UK, the words ‘CV’ and ‘resume’ mean the same thing. In both cases, it's a summary of who you are, your employment history, educational achievements, and what makes you the ideal candidate for the position.

Including a skills section allows you to highlight any attributes that might not otherwise be covered in your employment history. Being in charge of a household, for example, may have given you the experience of handling a budget. Only include relevant skills to the job to keep the recruiter engaged.

Your CV is your chance to sell yourself to a recruiter, so keep negatives out. If you have any gaps in work experience, try to find a way of covering them by referring to transferable skills from other parts of your life.

It may be tempting to create a visual CV if you’re applying for a more creative position, but a text-based CV is the best way to communicate the maximum amount of information in a clear layout. Text that has been formatted properly will also pass ATS, and makes it simple for a recruiter to read.

The tricky art to CVs is choosing what to leave out and what to include. A recruiter wants to know about details which are relevant to the position you’re applying for, so you don't have to include your birthday, marital status, or whether you have children. Research has shown that even including a photograph with your CV could lead to an 88% rejection rate.

You may lack direct employment-based experience, but you could still have transferable skills from other areas of your life. Volunteering shows your commitment to hard work, while running a club proves that you can manage a budget.

Tailor your CV to the position your applying for. A CV builder provides the right templates and formats as well as tips and advice. Each job application requires a slightly tweaked CV to include relevant keywords and to ensure that the details apply to the particular job.

Always include a cover letter with your CV. This gives recruiters the opportunity to quickly appraise your application and decide whether the CV is worth reading. Using the same online tools to create a CV and cover letter will ensure that they both convey a consistent message and create a positive impression.

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. It's a form of software which is now used by 75% of multinational companies to scan CVs and look for particular keywords, weeding out irrelevant applications and making the recruiters' job easier.

If the ATS can’t find keywords, a CV is automatically discarded - before ever getting to a recruiter. Study the job ad to figure out what these keywords are.

Use reverse chronological order so that your current status and level of experience is the first thing that a recruiter sees. Use bullet points to detail your experience and use facts and figures to support your achievements.

The header of your CV section should include your name and contact details. You don’t need to give it a title such as ‘CV’ or ‘Curriculum Vitae'.

Although your LinkedIn profile may include many of the details a recruiter wants to see, a CV highlights your strongest features and gives more detail into your background in a quick and simple format. Include your LinkedIn profile if you want recruiters to explore more, but a CV is required.

Include your email address and mobile or home phone number. Also include your mailing address. Don’t use a work-based email address as this will look very unprofessional, and make sure the address you do use isn't a 'novelty' one. Perhaps set up a professional sounding email account for job applications if your current one is too personal.

Similar rules apply to social media profiles – your Instagram, for example, might include pictures from big nights out that you don’t want a prospective employer viewing. Also, consider your voicemail message and keep it professional.

Use a CV builder and study other examples from the same industry to decide how formal your CV should be. A simple rule when deciding how to write a CV is that it should be formal enough to look professional, but not so formal that it stops your personality coming through at all.

Although many people admit to being less than truthful on their CV, it really isn’t recommended. Concentrate on positive aspects of your life and career, but don’t make claims you can’t actually back up.

Falsely stating that you’re bilingual might boost your case, but it won’t feel like such a good idea if an interviewer starts asking you questions in French.