How to Write a Great CV

Creating a CV can be a daunting task for many job seekers. It’s essential to make a good impression with a well-crafted CV that highlights your skills and experiences effectively. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write a CV that stands out from the crowd and help you create a professional-looking CV using a template.

In this article we cover:

Understand the purpose of a CV
Choose the right CV format
Start with your personal details
Write a personal statement
Mention your skills
List your work experience
Highlight your education
Include other relevant information
Example CV template

Step 1: Understand the Purpose of a CV

Before you begin writing your CV, you need to understand its purpose. A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a document that showcases your education, work experience, skills, and achievements to potential employers. It’s your marketing tool that highlights your relevant accomplishments, expertise, and qualifications, and demonstrates why you’re a perfect fit for the job you’re applying for.

Step 2: Choose the Right CV Format

There are generally three main types of CV formats: chronological, functional, and combination. Here is an overview of each type and when they might be best to use for different kinds of jobs:

Chronological CV: This is the most common type of CV format, and it lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working backwards. This format is best suited for job seekers who have a clear and steady career path, and who want to highlight their work history and career progression. It’s also a good choice for job seekers who want to show that they have relevant experience in the industry they are applying for.
Functional CV: This format focuses more on your skills and accomplishments rather than your work history. It’s best suited for job seekers who have gaps in their employment history, or who are looking to change careers and want to highlight their transferable skills. It can also be useful for job seekers who have a diverse work history and want to highlight the skills they’ve gained from each job.
Combination CV: As the name suggests, this type of CV combines elements of both the chronological and functional formats. It includes a skills section, followed by a work history section in reverse chronological order. This format is best suited for job seekers who want to highlight their skills and accomplishments while also providing a clear picture of their work history.

When deciding which type of CV format to use, it’s important to consider the job you are applying for and the company culture. For example, if you’re applying for a job in a traditional industry like finance or law, a chronological CV might be the best choice. However, if you’re applying for a job in a more creative field like graphic design or advertising, a functional or combination CV might be more appropriate. Ultimately, the format you choose should showcase your skills and experience in the most effective way possible.

Step 3: Start with Your Personal Details

Your CV should start with your personal details, including your name, phone number, and email address. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date and professional-looking.

Step 4: Write a Personal Statement

A personal statement is a brief summary of your skills, experiences, and career goals. It should be tailored to the job you’re applying for and highlight your strengths and what you can offer to the employer.

Here’s a guide to writing a good personal statement for a CV:

Keep it brief: Your personal statement should be no longer than two or three sentences. This is your chance to grab the reader’s attention and make them want to learn more about you, so make sure your statement is concise and to the point.
Focus on your strengths: Your personal statement should highlight your strengths and accomplishments, and show how they relate to the job you’re applying for. This is not the place to list your weaknesses or explain why you’re not a good fit for the job.
Tailor it to the job: Make sure your personal statement is tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. Use keywords and phrases from the job description to show that you have the skills and experience the employer is looking for.
Use active language: Use active language in your personal statement to show that you are proactive and results-oriented. Use verbs like “managed,” “created,” and “implemented” to show your achievements and responsibilities.
Be positive and enthusiastic: Your personal statement should convey a positive and enthusiastic attitude. Show that you’re excited about the job and eager to contribute to the company’s success.

Here’s an example of a well-written personal statement for a CV:

“Highly motivated and results-driven marketing professional with over 5 years of experience in creating successful marketing campaigns for global brands. Skilled in market research, brand strategy, and campaign management. Looking to leverage my skills and experience to help ABC Company achieve its marketing goals and drive business growth.”

This personal statement is brief, focused on the candidate’s strengths and accomplishments, tailored to the job, uses active language, and conveys a positive and enthusiastic attitude.

Step 5: Mention Your Skills

Your skills section should highlight the relevant skills you have for the job you’re applying for. Include both hard and soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, leadership, and technical skills.

Here’s some guidance on how to write the skills section of a CV:

Identify relevant skills: Start by identifying the skills that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Look at the job description and make a list of the skills and qualifications the employer is looking for.
Categorise your skills: Once you have your list of skills, categorise them into different groups. For example, you might have technical skills, soft skills, or language skills.
Use bullet points: Use bullet points to list your skills under each category. This makes it easy for the reader to scan and identify your skills quickly.
Be specific: Provide specific examples of how you’ve used your skills in previous roles. This helps to demonstrate your proficiency and relevance to the job you’re applying for.
Quantify your achievements: Where possible, quantify your achievements related to each skill. For example, if you’re listing your communication skills, you might say “Led weekly team meetings with 10+ participants and facilitated effective discussions.”

Here’s an example of how a skills section might look on a CV:

Technical Skills:

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Skilled in HTML and CSS web design
Experienced in project management software such as Trello and Asana

Soft Skills:

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment

Language Skills:

Fluent in Spanish (written and spoken)
Conversational proficiency in French

In this example, the skills are categorised into technical, soft, and language skills. Each skill is listed as a bullet point, and where possible, specific examples are provided to demonstrate proficiency. The language skills are also indicated with proficiency levels, making it clear to the reader what level of proficiency the candidate has achieved.

Step 6: List Your Work Experience

Your work experience should be listed in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Provide the job title, company name, dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements.

Here is an example of how to list work experience on a CV:

Job Title, Company Name (City, County), Employment Dates (Month, Year – Month, Year)

Accomplishment or responsibility bullet point 1
Accomplishment or responsibility bullet point 2
Accomplishment or responsibility bullet point 3

Here’s an example of how this might look in practice:

Marketing Manager, ABC Company (New York, NY), January 2018 – Present

Developed and executed successful marketing campaigns that increased website traffic by 30% and generated £1.5M in revenue.
Managed a team of 5 marketing professionals and oversaw all aspects of campaign development, including market research, messaging, and creative assets.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including product development and sales, to ensure successful campaign execution and alignment with company goals.
Analysed and reported on campaign performance, using data to inform future marketing strategies.

In this example, the job title, company name, and employment dates are listed first. Each bullet point highlights a specific accomplishment or responsibility, using action verbs to emphasise the candidate’s achievements. The bullet points are concise and easy to read, making it clear to the reader what the candidate achieved in their role.

Step 7: Highlight Your Education

List your educational qualifications, starting with your most recent qualification. Include the name of the institution, qualification, and the dates you attended.

Here is an example of how to list secondary school educational qualifications on a CV in the UK:

GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education), Institution Name, Graduation Date

Subject, Grade (if applicable)
Subject, Grade (if applicable)
Subject, Grade (if applicable)

Here’s an example of how this might look in practice:

GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education), London Borough of Greenwich, June 2016

Mathematics, Grade 9
English Literature, Grade 8
English Language, Grade 8
Science (Double Award), Grade 8/8
History, Grade 7
Geography, Grade 7
Spanish, Grade 6
Art and Design, Grade 6

In this example, the GCSE qualification is listed first, followed by the institution name and graduation date. Each subject studied is listed as a separate bullet point, with the grade earned indicated next to it. It is also common in the UK to include the name of the local education authority (LEA) or borough where the school is located. This information can help employers to understand the candidate’s educational background and achievements, especially for entry-level positions.

Step 8: Include Other Relevant Information

Include any other relevant information, such as volunteer experience, certifications, awards, and achievements.

Example CV Template

Here’s an example of a CV template you can use as a starting point:

[Your Name]

[Address]

[Phone Number]

[Email]

Personal Statement

[Write a brief summary of your skills, experience, and career goals.]

Skills

[Hard Skills]

[Soft Skills]

Work Experience

[Job Title]

[Company Name]

[Dates of Employment]

[Responsibilities and Achievements]

[Job Title]

[Company Name]

[Dates of Employment]

[Responsibilities and Achievements]

Education

[Degree]

[Institution Name]

[Dates Attended]

[Degree]

[Institution Name]

[Dates Attended]

Other Relevant Information

[Volunteer Experience]

[Certifications]

[Awards and Achievements]

In conclusion, writing a CV can seem intimidating, but by following these steps, you can create a professional-looking CV that showcases your skills, experiences, and achievements effectively. Use the above template to get started, and make sure to tailor your CV to the job you’re applying for. Good luck!

The National Careers Service offers free advice about careers and skills to anyone aged 13 or over and living in England. To speak to a professional careers adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use webchat (8am – 8pm Monday – Friday; 10am – 5pm Saturday)