How to Write a Perfect CV? Steps & UK Examples

As the job market gets more and more competitive it becomes harder and harder to distinguish yourself from the competition. Even having all the right experience, skills, achievements and a good CV isn’t a guarantee of success. That’s because just having a good CV isn’t good enough.

You need to learn how to write the perfect CV and you’ve come to the right place to do just that. You’ll get a perfect CV example and everything you need to ensure your next job application is pure perfection. So read on and see how to turn your CV from a diamond in the rough into a flawless gem.

Create an effective CV in minutes. Choose a professional CV template and fill in every section of your CV in a flash using ready-made content and expert tips.

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The LiveCareer online CV maker lets you build a professional CV fast and download it as a PDF or DOC.

Perfect CV UK template

You’ve just seen the perfect CV template, now here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write your own perfect CV:

1. Write a perfect personal statement for your CV

This CV section is also known as a CV summary or personal profile. Its purpose is to introduce you as a candidate and instantly prove your perfection. Structure it as a short paragraph, 3–4 lines in length. The best way to approach it is to think of it as an answer to the following questions.

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

Mention your job title and your years of experience in the first sentence. That establishes your credentials from the outset and reassures the hiring manager that you’re suitably qualified. Then mention an example of your professional experience, skills or accomplishments that matches up with the requirements in the job advert. And finish by mentioning how you plan to develop in the role and contribute to the success of your new employer. Follow that approach and you’ll get your perfect CV off to a flying start.

Perfect CV personal statement example

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 section. In a standard chronological CV format it’s hands down the most important part of your CV and the section recruiters pay most attention to. Here’s how to make it perfect.

List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. Then for every entry include your job title, the name of your employer, dates of employment (using ‘present’ as the end date if you currently work there), and follow with up to six bullet points describing the job. 

But writing the perfect CV bullet point is more than just listing your duties. So make them impactful by starting each one off with a CV action verb and structure them using the PAR (problem action result) formula and accomplishment statements.

And as with every part of your CV, target your work experience section to the job you’re applying for. Note the requirements in the job advert and make sure you highlight the aspects of your own experience that match.

Perfect CV job description example

3. Include a perfect CV education section

It’s an often neglected part of a CV, but recruiters and hiring managers expect to see it and there’s a set structure for you to follow. If you’re a university graduate then write the name of your degree, your 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.

For a school-leaver CV, your A-levels are the most important attainment to include. List each subject you completed, the name of the school or college you attended and your dates of study. GCSEs are less important, but worth including if you’re still at school or have recently left. You don’t need to list every subject though, just state the number of subjects you completed and specifically highlight passes in Maths and English. They’re commonly considered a bare essential by employers.

And this is where a perfect CV has some flexibility. If you’re a recent graduate or still studying you can change your CV structure and put your education section first, before your work experience.

Perfect CV education section example

4. Prove your perfect CV skills

The perfect CV template includes a mix of skills. Be sure to blend soft skills and hard skills for maximum impact. 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 with the key requirements of the job. The ideal number to include is 5–10, and for each skill you can optionally add a short sentence that explains it further. E.g. Software skills: Advanced user of Adobe Creative Suite.

And it’s worth pointing out that some skills are considered universally applicable. IT skills and communication skills are useful for almost every career. 

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 add something extra. Additional CV sections. They’re one of the best ways of making you stand out as a candidate. Here are some choices that are particularly effective.

• Languages. If you can speak a foreign language then include a languages section. It’s a skill that’s in short supply in the UK and 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 and hobbies and interests. If it’s relevant to the job and helps paint you as the perfect candidate, then include it.

How to create the perfect CV extra section

6. Add a perfect cover letter to your CV

No CV is perfect without a cover letter to complement it. It works to enhance your CV and add more detail about why you’re the best choice for the job. Getting it right is easy. Use the best cover letter format. Then start your cover letter with a ‘hook’, using a professional accomplishment to grab the hiring manager’s attention. 

Move on to writing your cover letter body paragraphs, adding in more evidence of how your skills and achievements make you a perfect candidate. Also show positivity and passion for the role and the company. Then finish with a strong cover letter ending that incorporates a call to action. Ask to speak to the hiring manager so you can discuss the role further.

7. What else to remember about when writing the perfect CV?

Your CV has to have more than just powerful content, it has to look flawless too. Here are the rules for creating the perfect CV format.

• Put your contact details in the CV header at the top of the page. Leave out your postal address, it’s not necessary.
• Set your line spacing to 1.15, double space between each CV section and leave a one-inch margin on each side of the page.
• Choose a good CV font set to 11 or 12 pts in size.
• Remember that the perfect CV length is 1–2 pages.
• Keep your layout intact by saving your CV as a PDF unless the job advert specifically says otherwise.

And we’re done. You now know how to create 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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Thanks for reading. If you have any questions at all about creating the perfect CV then please ask in the comments section, and we’ll be happy to help.

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.