How to Write a Perfect CV in 7 Steps (UK Examples)

The job market is more competitive than ever, and standing out is no easy task. Even with the right skills, experience, and achievements, a good CV alone might not be enough.

To get invited to interviews, you need to know how to write a perfect CV—and this guide will teach you. You’ll also get a perfect CV example and everything you need to turn your next application into a success.

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Perfect CV: UK template

You’ve just seen the perfect CV template—now, follow this step-by-step guide to write your own and learn exactly what to include in your application:

1. Start the perfect CV with a personal statement

This section is also known as a CV summary or personal profile. Its purpose is to introduce you as a candidate and highlight your key strengths. Keep it short—aim for a paragraph of 3 to 4 lines. The best way to approach it is to treat it as your answer to the following questions:

1. Who are you?
2. What can you offer to the employer?
3. What are your career goals?

Start by mentioning your job title and years of experience to reassure the hiring manager that you’re qualified for the role. Then, include a key example of your skills, experience, or achievements that directly reflect the job requirements. As a final sentence, mention how you hope to develop in the role and contribute to the company’s success. Tailor this section for each application to reflect what the employer is looking for in that specific role.

Perfect CV example: personal statement

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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2. Create the perfect CV work experience section

If there’s one section of your CV you need to perfect above all others, it’s your work experience. This is the part that recruiters focus on most. 

• List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role.
• For each entry, include your job title, the name of your employer, and dates of employment (using ‘present’ if you’re still in the role).
• Follow by up to six bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements.
• Target your work experience section to the job you’re applying for. Pay close attention to the job advert and emphasise the aspects of your experience that best match the role.

If you have any gaps in your employment history, address these thoughtfully. Consider describing relevant volunteering experience, coursework, freelance work, or training you completed during these periods. This shows recruiters you stayed engaged and continued developing your skills even when not in paid employment.

Perfect CV: job description example

3. Polish your CV education section to perfection

Recruiters expect to see your education on a CV, and there’s a standardised way to present it.

• If you’re a university graduate, list your degree title, dates of study, and the name of your university.
• Put an expected graduation date if you’re writing a student CV while you’re still studying (and likely writing your first CV).
• For a school leaver CV, your A-levels are the most important, so list each subject you completed, the school or college you attended, and your dates of study.
• GCSEs are worth including if you’re still at school or have recently left. Simply state how many subjects you completed and highlight passes in Maths and English.

If you’re a recent graduate or currently studying, you can adjust your CV structure by placing your education section before work experience to better highlight your academic background. This is where a perfect CV has some flexibility.

Perfect CV example: education

4. Prove your perfect CV skills

How to make a perfect CV skills section? Mix soft skills and hard skills to make the strongest impression. Employers are increasingly ranking soft skills as most important, but hard skills are still an essential component of carrying out your day-to-day work.

• Target your skills section by highlighting abilities that match the job requirements. The ideal number to include is 5–10.
• For each skill, add a short sentence that explains it further. E.g. Software skills: Advanced user of Adobe Creative Suite.

It’s also worth noting that some skills are universally valued across nearly all careers. Strong IT skills and communication skills are essential in most roles, making them valuable additions to any CV.

Perfect CV skills for every candidate

5. Perfect your CV with additional sections

Technically, you could stop writing after your skills section and have an adequate CV. But for a perfect CV, you need to do something extra: select additional CV sections. They’re one of the best ways of making you stand out as a candidate.

Here are some particularly effective choices:

• Languages: Foreign languages are in short supply in the UK and are highly sought after by employers.
• Volunteering: It’s underutilised by candidates, but highly appreciated by employers. And it’s seen as particularly relevant to building leadership skills.
• Other ideas include awards, certificates, hobbies and interests. If it’s relevant to the job and helps paint you as the perfect candidate, then include it.

Perfect CV: template for additional sections

6. Add a perfect cover letter to your CV

No CV is perfect without a well-written cover letter to go with it. A cover letter gives you the chance to expand on your CV and explain why you’re the right fit for the role.

• Start it with the right cover letter format, then open with a strong hook—ideally a key professional achievement that captures the hiring manager’s attention.
• In the body paragraphs, provide more detail about your experience, showing how your skills and accomplishments match the job. Express your genuine enthusiasm for the role and the company.
• End with a confident closing that includes a clear call to action. Let the employer know you’d welcome the opportunity to discuss the position further.

7. Create the perfect CV template

Your CV needs more than strong content—it has to look professional, too. A clean CV format helps ensure that your document is easy to read and makes a great first impression.

Follow these formatting tips to get it right:

• Put your contact details in the CV header at the top of the page. Leave out your postal address, it’s not necessary.
• Use 1.15 line spacing, add double spacing between sections, and set one-inch margins on all sides.
• Choose a professional CV font like Arial or Calibri, set to 11 or 12 pt.
• Aim for a CV length of one to two pages.
• Browse our best CV templates (including free CV templates) to pick the one that suits your style and industry.
• Save your CV as a PDF to preserve your CV layout, unless the job advert requests another format.
• Check for errors. Typos, inconsistent formatting, or missing details can leave a poor impression.

And that’s it—now you know how to write the perfect CV!

You don’t have to be a CV writing expert. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready-made content for every industry and position, which you can then add with a single click.

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Want to explore more on CV writing? Check these guides:

• How to Write a Successful CV
• CV AI: Should You Use AI to Make a CV?
• CV Definition Explained (& All You Need to Know)
• How to Write a One-Page CV? (+ Tips)
• How to Prepare a Catchy CV Introduction?
• How to Write a CV for Any Job in the UK
• The Best CV Length (Expert-Approved)
• What Are The Top CV Fonts in 2025?
• What Should a Good CV Look Like in 2025?
• Writing a Speculative CV: Tips & Examples

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with LiveCareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

Sources

• Comparative Analysis of Soft Skills: What is Important for New Graduates?
• University of Hull, Where and how to develop your leadership skills