Recruiters often spend only a short time on a first look at each CV, and many employers screen applications with software before a person sees them. A good CV is therefore not a full history of your working life. It is a focused marketing document that shows, quickly and clearly, why you fit one particular job. This guide walks through how to build one, section by section.
Information checked: 24 October 2026.
CV or Résumé: Which Do You Need?
In the UK, Ireland, Australia and much of Europe, “CV” usually means a short document of about two pages. In the United States and Canada, the same document is normally called a “résumé” and is often one page for early-career applicants. In US academia and medicine, a “CV” is a long, detailed record of publications and research. For most private-sector jobs, the advice below applies to both.
Start With the Job Advert
Before you write anything, print or save the job advert and highlight:
- the job title and level;
- the skills and tools mentioned more than once;
- the required qualifications, licences or certifications;
- the results the employer clearly cares about (sales, safety, customer satisfaction, deadlines).
These words are your target. You will mirror them, honestly, throughout your CV. This is the single most effective change most people can make, because it helps both the screening software and the human reader see the match immediately.
The Best Structure for Most People
| Section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Header | Name, phone, professional email, city and country, LinkedIn link |
| Profile | 3 to 4 lines tailored to the job |
| Key skills | 6 to 10 skills that match the advert |
| Experience | Most recent first, with achievements |
| Education and training | Degrees, certificates, licences |
| Extras (optional) | Languages, volunteering, relevant projects |
A reverse-chronological layout (latest job first) is what most recruiters expect. A skills-based layout can help career changers, but use it with care, because some recruiters find it harder to follow.
Writing Your Header
Keep it simple. You do not need a photo, date of birth, marital status or full home address in the UK, USA, Canada or Australia, and leaving them out reduces the risk of bias. Use a professional email address, ideally based on your name. Add a LinkedIn link only if your profile is complete and matches your CV.
Writing a Profile That Gets Read
Your profile sits at the top and answers one question: why should we interview you for this job? A strong profile is three or four lines long and includes:
- who you are professionally (for example, “warehouse team leader” or “junior data analyst”);
- your experience level and specialism;
- one or two proof points with numbers;
- what you want next, aligned with the role.
Example: “Customer service team leader with five years’ experience in high-volume contact centres. Led a team of 12 that improved first-contact resolution by 15% in one year. Looking to move into an operations supervisor role in logistics.”
Avoid empty phrases such as “hard-working team player with excellent communication skills”. Everyone writes that. Show it instead with evidence.
Turning Duties Into Achievements
Most weak CVs list duties: “responsible for stock control”. Strong CVs show results: “reduced stock discrepancies by 30% by introducing weekly cycle counts”. Use this simple formula for each bullet point:
Action verb + what you did + result (with a number where possible).
Good action verbs include led, improved, reduced, delivered, trained, organised, launched, negotiated and resolved. If you do not have exact numbers, use honest estimates such as “around 40 customers a day” or “a team of about ten”. Never invent figures; interviewers often ask about them.
Aim for three to six bullet points for recent roles and fewer for older or less relevant jobs. Jobs from more than 10 to 15 years ago can usually be summarised in one line.
Skills: Hard and Soft
List the skills that match the advert. Hard skills are specific and testable: forklift licence, Excel pivot tables, Python, food hygiene certificate, Spanish (fluent). Soft skills, such as leadership or problem solving, are better demonstrated in your experience bullets than listed alone.
Education and Certifications
Put education near the top if you are a recent graduate or the job requires a specific qualification. Otherwise, place it after experience. Include relevant short courses and certifications, especially those named in the advert, with the year you completed them.
Beating Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Many employers use applicant tracking systems to store and filter applications. To make sure your CV is read correctly:
- use a simple layout without tables, text boxes, icons or images for important information;
- use standard headings such as “Experience”, “Education” and “Skills”;
- save as .docx or PDF, as requested in the advert;
- include the exact wording of key skills from the advert where they truthfully apply;
- avoid putting your contact details in the document header or footer, which some systems skip.
Do not hide keywords in white text or copy the whole advert into your CV. Recruiters notice, and it can get your application rejected.
Length, Design and Formatting
- Length: one to two pages for most roles. Graduates usually need one page.
- Font: a clean font such as Arial, Calibri or Helvetica, size 10 to 12.
- Margins and spacing: leave white space so it is easy to scan on a phone.
- Consistency: use the same date format and bullet style throughout.
- File name: “Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf” looks professional.
Gaps, Career Changes and Little Experience
Employment gaps are common. A single honest line such as “Career break: caring for a family member” or “Career break: relocation and full-time English course” is enough.
Career changers should lead with transferable skills and any recent training, projects or volunteering in the new field.
Students and first-time job seekers can use part-time work, volunteering, school or university projects, sports leadership and online courses to show reliability and initiative.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- spelling and grammar errors (read it aloud and ask someone else to check);
- one generic CV sent to every job;
- long paragraphs instead of bullet points;
- unexplained abbreviations and internal company jargon;
- including references (write “available on request” only if space allows, or leave it out);
- false claims about qualifications, which can lead to dismissal later.
A Quick Final Checklist
- Does the profile match this specific job?
- Do your recent roles show results, not only duties?
- Are the advert’s key skills present, truthfully?
- Is it one to two pages and easy to read on a phone?
- Is the file name professional and the format correct?
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include a photo on my CV?
Not for jobs in the UK, USA, Canada or Australia unless the employer specifically asks. In some other countries photos are more common, so check local norms.
How far back should my CV go?
Usually 10 to 15 years in detail. Older roles can be summarised briefly.
Do I need a different CV for each job?
You do not need to rewrite it completely, but you should tailor the profile, skills and top bullet points to each advert.
Is it acceptable to use a CV template?
Yes, if it is simple and ATS-friendly. Avoid heavily designed templates with columns and graphics for corporate applications.
Should I write a cover letter too?
If the employer allows one, a short tailored cover letter can help, especially for career changes or competitive roles.
Can I use AI tools to write my CV?
They can help with structure and wording, but always check every fact, make the language sound like you and avoid generic phrases.
Summary and Next Step
A CV that gets interviews is short, tailored and full of evidence. Start with the job advert, write a focused profile, turn duties into results and keep the format simple. Then prepare for the next stage with our guide to common interview questions.