How to Write the Best CV
A complete, step-by-step guide to writing a professional CV that gets interviews — from formatting and structure to bullet points and ATS optimisation.
Your CV Is Your First Impression
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a concise, informative summary of your abilities, education, and experience. It should highlight your strongest assets and skills while differentiating you from other candidates seeking similar positions. Although a CV alone won’t get you a job, a great CV is your ticket to an interview.
Recruiters spend an average of 6–7 seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to read it more carefully. This guide will help you make every second count.
💡 Key Principle from Harvard Career Services
- Tailor your CV to the type of position you’re seeking — it should reflect skills the employer will value.
- Be fact-based: qualify and quantify your achievements, not just your duties.
- Write for people who scan quickly — use clear headings, bullet points, and action-oriented language.
Choose the Right CV Format
There are three main CV formats. Choosing the right one depends on your level of experience and career situation.
Chronological
Lists work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Best for candidates with a steady career history.
- ✅ Best for experienced candidates
- ✅ Preferred by most recruiters
- ✅ ATS-friendly
- ❌ Highlights employment gaps
Functional
Focuses on transferable skills rather than job history. Ideal for career changers or those with limited experience.
- ✅ Great for career changers
- ✅ Hides employment gaps
- ❌ Less preferred by recruiters
- ❌ Can seem evasive
Hybrid / Combination
Combines a skills summary with a chronological work history. Suits professionals with a mix of achievements and experience.
- ✅ Shows skills and experience
- ✅ Flexible for most roles
- ✅ Good for senior candidates
- ❌ Can become long if not managed
Essential CV Sections
Every CV should include a core set of sections. Optional sections can strengthen your application depending on your background and the role.
✅ Required Sections
- Contact Details — name, phone, email, LinkedIn, location
- Personal Statement / Profile — 3–5 line summary at the top
- Work Experience — roles in reverse chronological order
- Education — qualifications, institutions, dates
- Skills — hard and soft skills relevant to the role
⭐ Optional Sections
- Certifications & Courses
- Volunteer Experience
- Languages
- Publications or Projects
- Awards & Achievements
- Interests & Hobbies (if relevant)
- References — “Available on request” only
📌 What NOT to Include
- Age or date of birth
- Marital status or nationality
- A photograph (in the UK, US, and most English-speaking countries)
- Personal pronouns (I, we, my)
- Abbreviations without explanation
- Salary expectations (unless asked)
- Full reference contact details
8 Steps to Writing the Perfect CV
Follow these eight steps to create a CV that is clear, compelling, and tailored to every job you apply for.
Research the Role Before You Write a Single Word
Read the job description carefully. Highlight the required skills, experience, and responsibilities. Identify keywords — your CV should mirror the language used in the advert, which also helps pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
✅ Do
- Print and annotate the job description
- Note the top 5 required skills
- Research the company culture
❌ Don’t
- Send the same CV to every job
- Ignore the “essential criteria” list
- Use jargon the employer won’t recognise
Add Your Contact Details (at the top)
Your contact details should be the very first thing on your CV, directly under your name. Keep it clean and professional.
- Full name (large, bold)
- Professional email address (e.g. firstname.lastname@gmail.com)
- Phone number
- LinkedIn profile URL (shortened)
- Town/city and country (full address not needed)
- Portfolio or GitHub link (if relevant)
Write a Compelling Personal Statement
Your personal statement (also called a profile or summary) sits directly below your contact details. It is your elevator pitch in 3–5 sentences. It should tell a recruiter who you are, what you offer, and what you’re looking for.
✅ Strong Example
“Results-driven digital marketing manager with 6 years’ experience growing B2B SaaS brands. Proven track record of increasing organic traffic by 150% and delivering campaigns that consistently exceeded ROI targets. Seeking a senior role in a fast-paced tech environment where I can drive data-led growth strategies.”
❌ Weak Example
“I am a hard-working and motivated individual who works well in a team. I am looking for a new challenge where I can use my skills and experience to grow professionally.”
List Your Work Experience (in reverse chronological order)
For each role, include: employer name, job title, dates (month and year), and 3–5 bullet points. Put the most recent role first. Focus on achievements, not just responsibilities — what did you actually deliver?
Use the CAR formula: Challenge → Action → Result. See the Bullet Points section below for detailed guidance.
Include Your Education
List your qualifications in reverse chronological order. Include: institution name, qualification title, grade (if strong), and dates attended.
- If you graduated within the last 3 years, place education above work experience.
- If you have 3+ years of work experience, work experience goes first.
- Include A-levels / GCSEs only if you don’t have degree-level qualifications.
- You may omit grades for older qualifications if they are not strong.
Add a Targeted Skills Section
Include a dedicated skills section that lists both hard skills (technical, specific to the role) and soft skills (interpersonal, transferable). Tailor this list based on the job description.
✅ Hard Skills
- Python, SQL, Excel
- Google Analytics, HubSpot
- Project management (Agile)
- Copywriting, SEO
⚠️ Overused Soft Skills
- “Hard-working” — show don’t tell
- “Team player” — too generic
- “Good communicator” — use examples
- “Passionate” — meaningless alone
Tailor Your CV to Every Application
One of the most important — and most overlooked — steps. A generic CV is easy to spot and easy to reject. Before sending, adjust your personal statement, bullet points, and skills section to match the specific role.
- Mirror language from the job posting (helps ATS and resonates with recruiters).
- Prioritise experiences that are most relevant to this particular role.
- Check the company’s values and culture — reflect these subtly in your writing.
- Save each tailored version with a clear filename, e.g. AlexJohnson_MarketingManager_Acme.pdf.
Proofread, Format, and Save as PDF
Poor spelling and inconsistent formatting are among the most common rejection reasons. Never rely only on spellcheck.
✅ Formatting Checklist
- Font: Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica, size 10–12pt
- Consistent spacing, bold, and headings throughout
- Reverse chronological order in every section
- 1–2 pages maximum (most roles)
- Saved as PDF (unless Word is requested)
❌ Common Format Mistakes
- Mixing fonts or sizes
- Tiny margins crammed with text
- Tables or graphics that break in ATS
- Headers/footers with contact details
- Decorative borders or coloured backgrounds
How to Write Powerful Bullet Points
Your bullet points are the most-read part of your CV. Weak bullets list duties; great bullets demonstrate impact. Use the CAR formula to structure every bullet point.
What was the situation or problem?
What did you specifically do?
What was the measurable outcome?
Weak vs Strong Bullet Examples
Power Action Verbs to Start Every Bullet
Use these at the start of each bullet point to make your language active and impactful.
20-Point CV Checklist
Before you send your CV, tick every item. When you reach 100%, you’ll earn a small reward 🎉
10 Common CV Mistakes to Avoid
Even a well-written CV can be rejected due to avoidable errors. Watch out for these common pitfalls.
1. Sending a generic, untailored CV
Recruiters can tell immediately. Tailor your profile and bullets to every single application.
2. Listing duties instead of achievements
Don’t just describe what your job was — describe what you did and the impact it had.
3. Spelling and grammar errors
Even a single typo signals a lack of attention to detail. Ask someone else to proofread it.
4. Making it too long (or too short)
Most CVs should be 1–2 pages. Don’t pad it, and don’t cram 15 years into half a page.
5. Using an unprofessional email address
Create a professional address using your name. Avoid nicknames or years of birth.
6. Inconsistent formatting
Mixed fonts, different date styles, and inconsistent spacing look sloppy and unprofessional.
7. Including personal information
Don’t include age, photo, marital status, nationality, or religion in the UK and US.
8. Not optimising for ATS
Use a simple layout. Avoid graphics, tables, and text boxes that confuse automated scanners.
9. Using passive or vague language
Replace “was responsible for” with strong active verbs like “led”, “built”, or “delivered”.
10. Leaving unexplained gaps
Address any gaps honestly and positively — e.g. “Career break for family care” or “Freelance consulting”.
CV Writing FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about writing a professional CV.
Ready to Write Your Best CV?
You now have everything you need. Work through the 8-step process, use the checklist to self-audit, and remember — tailoring your CV to each role is the single biggest difference-maker.
Sources & Further Reading
This guide was informed by authoritative career and search guidance resources: