How to Write a Good CV: A Complete Guide
A CV is often your first and best chance to make a good impression on a potential employer. It’s a marketing document that showcases your skills, experience and qualifications to convince recruiters you’re the best person for the job. Writing a good CV is more than just listing your work history; it’s about strategic presentation, clarity and tailoring your information to the job you want. This guide will take you through everything you need to know to write a CV that stands out.
What is a CV?
Before we get into the structure and content, let’s understand what a CV is and what it’s not. A CV is a professional summary of your career, education, skills and achievements. Unlike a resume which is often shorter and more concise, a CV can be more detailed especially in academic or research contexts. However, in many industries the terms CV and resume are used interchangeably.
The main purpose of your CV is to get you an interview. It should clearly communicate your value to the employer and demonstrate how your background matches the job requirements. This means your CV should be tailored for each application, highlighting the most relevant experiences and skills.
Key Sections of a Good CV
A well structured CV has several essential sections. Each section serves a purpose and should be crafted carefully.
Contact Information
Your contact details should be easy to find and professional. Include:
- Your full name at the top, in a larger or bold font.
- A professional email address (not a nickname or unprofessional handle).
- A phone number where you can be reached.
- Your location (city and country). You don’t need to include your full address.
- Optional: Links to your LinkedIn profile, personal website or online portfolio if relevant to the job.
Make sure your contact information is up to date and your voicemail greeting is professional.
Professional Summary or Objective
This section is a brief paragraph (3-5 sentences) at the top of your CV that summarises your professional identity, key skills and career goals. It should be tailored to the job you’re applying for and grab the recruiter’s attention.
For example, instead of a generic statement like “Hardworking professional seeking a challenging role,” write something like: “Marketing professional with 5+ years experience in digital marketing and brand management. 40% online engagement increase and revenue growth. Looking to apply data marketing skills to XYZ Company.”
Work Experience
This is usually the most important part for employers. List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. For each position, include:
- Job title
- Company name and location
- Dates of employment (month and year)
- Bullet points of your responsibilities and achievements
Focus on achievements rather than just duties. Use action verbs and quantify your impact wherever possible. For example:
- “Managed a team of 10 sales reps, increased regional sales by 25% in 1 year.”
- “Created a new customer service protocol that reduced response times by 30%.”
If you have limited work experience, you can include internships, part-time jobs or relevant volunteer work.
Education
List your education in reverse chronological order. Include:
- Degree or qualification
- Institution name and location
- Dates attended or graduation date
- Any honors, awards or relevant coursework
If you are a recent graduate, you might put this section above work experience. For more experienced professionals, education usually comes after work history.
Skills
This section shows your relevant skills. Divide them into categories if it helps, such as:
- Technical skills (e.g. software proficiency, programming languages)
- Language skills (e.g. fluent in Spanish and French)
- Soft skills (e.g. communication, leadership)
Be honest and only list skills you are confident in. Tailor this section to the job description by including keywords and skills the employer is looking for.
Additional Sections
Depending on your background and the job, you might want to include other sections such as:
- Certifications and licenses
- Professional memberships
- Publications or presentations
- Volunteer experience
- Awards and honors
- Personal projects or portfolios
These sections can help you stand out from other candidates, especially if they are relevant to the role.
Formatting Your CV for Maximum Impact
How your CV looks is almost as important as what it says. A clean, professional format makes your CV easier to read and more appealing to recruiters.
Keep It Short
One page if you have less than 10 years of experience. Two pages if you have more experience but no more than that unless you are applying for academic or research positions where detailed CVs are expected.
Use Clear Fonts
Use Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman. Font sizes 11-12 for body text, slightly larger for headings. No decorative or script fonts.
Headings and Bullet Points
Break your CV into clear sections with bold headings. Use bullet points for responsibilities and achievements.
Consistency
Be consistent with dates, fonts, spacing and bullet styles throughout the document. Inconsistencies will distract the reader and look unprofessional.
White Space
Don’t overfill your CV with text. Space between sections and bullet points helps readability.
Choose the Right Format
There are three main CV formats:
- Reverse-Chronological: Lists work experience in reverse chronological order. This is the most common and preferred format.
- Functional: Focuses on skills and experience rather than chronological work history. Useful if you have gaps in employment or are changing careers.
- Combination: Combines both chronological and functional formats, highlighting skills while providing a timeline of work experience.
Pick the one that shows off your best bits.
Tailor Your CV to Each Job Application
One of the most important parts of writing a good CV is customization. Sending the same generic CV to every employer reduces your chances of success.
Read the Job Description
Read the job posting carefully and identify key skills, qualifications and responsibilities. Look for keywords and phrases that are repeated.
Mirror Keywords and Phrases
Incorporate these keywords into your CV, especially in your summary, skills and work experience sections. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan for keywords before a human ever sees your CV.
Highlight Relevant Experience
Emphasise the bits of your background that match the job. If the role requires project management skills, make sure your project management experience is front and centre.
Rewrite Your Summary
Rewrite your summary for each application to match the role and company culture.
Avoid Common CV Mistakes
Even small errors can cost you an interview. Here are some to watch out for:
- Spelling and Grammar Errors: These are a no-no. Use spell check and ask someone else to proofread your CV.
- Vague or Overused Phrases: Avoid clichés like “hardworking” or “team player” unless you can back it up with examples.
- Including Irrelevant Information: Focus on what matters to the employer. Personal details like marital status or hobbies are usually unnecessary unless directly relevant.
- Poor Formatting: A cluttered or inconsistent layout can make your CV hard to read.
- Listing References: It’s generally best to omit references and simply state “References available upon request.”
- Using an Unprofessional Email Address: Create a simple, professional email address if you don’t already have one.
Using Action Verbs and Quantifiable Achievements
Strong action verbs make your CV dynamic and interesting. Examples:
- Managed
- Led
- Developed
- Implemented
- Increased
- Reduced
- Designed
- CoordinatedPair these verbs with numbers or measurable results to show your impact. For example:
- “Increased social media engagement by 50% in 6 months.”
- “Reduced customer complaints by 20% through training.”
Quantifying your achievements helps employers see what you bring to the table.
When to Use a Creative CV Design
In traditional industries like finance, law or government a simple CV is preferred. But in creative fields like marketing, design or media a creative CV can help you stand out.
If you go for a creative design:
- Keep it professional and easy to read.
- Use colour sparingly and with purpose.
- Avoid complex layouts that will confuse ATS software.
- Include a PDF version to preserve formatting.
Final Check Before Sending
Before you send your CV:
- Save as PDF: Unless the employer asks otherwise, save your CV as a PDF.
- Check Links: Test any links to LinkedIn profiles, portfolios or websites.
- Check Contact Details: Double check your phone number and email.
- Get Feedback: Ask a trusted friend, mentor or career advisor to review your CV.
- Write a Cover Letter: Always send your CV with a cover letter tailored to the job.
Summary
Writing a good CV is a process not a one off. Clear and concise presentation of your skills, experience and achievements. Knowing what a CV is for, structuring it, tailoring it to each job and avoiding the common mistakes will get you a powerful document that gets you to the interview and career opportunities.
Remember your CV is your personal marketing tool – invest the time and effort to make it shine, professional and relevant. With a good CV in your hand you’ll be on your way to your next big job.