How To Write A CV

Find out how to write a good CV in this step-by-step guide. Your CV is your shop window and your first opportunity to impress a potential employer.

In a page or two, it should show the skills, experience and results that prove you can do the job. This guide explains exactly how to write a CV that gets interviews. You will learn what to include, what to leave out, how to format it, how to tailor it for each vacancy, how to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and how to handle tricky issues like career gaps or career changes.

Essential Tips

• Keep it clear, short and relevant. Most people should aim for one to two pages.
• Use simple sections: Contact details, Profile, Skills, Work Experience, Education, and Optional extras (certificates, volunteering, languages).
• Write bullet points that show achievements and results, not just duties.
• Tailor your CV for each job. Mirror the language in the advert where it fits your experience.
• Pass ATS by using standard headings, simple formatting, and keywords from the job description.
• Proofread. One spelling mistake can cost you an interview.

Contents

1. What is a CV?
2. Why a good CV matters
3. The best CV format
4. The core sections (with examples)
5. How to tailor your CV to each job
6. How to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
7. How to write a CV with little or no experience
8. How to write a CV for a career change
9. How to handle employment gaps
10. The 20 most common CV mistakes
11. Example bullet points for different jobs
12. International CV tips
13. Finishing touches: proofreading, file names, and submission
14. Frequently asked questions
15. Printable checklist
16. Useful links and free templates
17. Plain-English glossary

---

1) What is a CV?

A CV (curriculum vitae) is a short document that sums up your work history, skills, training and achievements. Employers use your CV to decide who to interview. Your goal is simple: make it easy for a recruiter to say “yes, invite this person.”

In the UK, a CV usually covers the last 10–15 years of experience, focused on what is relevant to the role. It should be honest, to the point, and written in clear, simple English.

---

2) Why a good CV matters

Hiring teams scan large numbers of applications quickly. They read in patterns: top third of the first page, section headings, bold job titles, dates, and bullet points. If your CV is messy, vague or long-winded, it will not hold attention. A good CV:

• Shows a clear match with the job requirements
• Proves impact with numbers, outcomes and real examples
• Is easy to scan on a laptop and a phone
• Looks professional and consistent

---

3) The best CV format

Layout rules

• Length: one to two pages for most people (academics and some specialists may need more).
• Font: a clean, accessible font (for example Arial, Calibri, Verdana). Size 10–12 for text, 14–16 for section headings.
• Spacing: use clear headings and bullet points. Keep margins around 2 cm so the page breathes.
• Colour and graphics: keep it simple. Let your content do the work.
• File type: PDF or .docx unless the employer requests another format. Name it like Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf.

Order of sections (most roles)

1. Contact details
2. Profile (short summary)
3. Key skills
4. Work experience (reverse chronological)
5. Education and qualifications
6. Optional sections (certifications, volunteering, languages, interests)

Tip: If you have minimal work history, put Education and Projects higher. If you are senior with lots of experience, add a one-line “Career Highlights” strip below your profile.

---

4) The core sections (with examples)

4.1 Contact details

Include your full name, mobile number, professional email, and general location (city or county). Add a LinkedIn URL or portfolio link if it helps. Do not include date of birth, full address, marital status or a photo (not standard in the UK).

4.2 Profile (professional summary)

Write 2–4 short sentences that state who you are, your top strengths, and the value you bring. Make it specific to the job.

Example (retail):
“Customer service assistant with three years’ experience in busy supermarket and fashion retail settings. Trusted key holder with top feedback scores and proven record reducing refunds through better product knowledge. Looking to step up to a senior sales role with weekend availability.”

Example (software):
“Junior software developer skilled in Python and JavaScript, with experience building APIs and dashboards. Delivered two internal tools that cut processing time by 30%. Seeking a role where I can grow in a collaborative team and ship reliable features.”

4.3 Key skills

List 6–10 skills that match the advert. Mix technical and soft skills. Keep each skill short and clear.

• Cash handling and POS systems
• Customer conflict resolution
• Excel (LOOKUP, PivotTables), Google Sheets
• Project planning and scheduling
• Python, SQL, basic data visualisation
• Safeguarding awareness (education roles)
• Clean UK driving licence

4.4 Work experience

List jobs in reverse order. For each job, include job title, employer, location, and dates. Then add 3–6 bullet points showing what you achieved. Start bullets with strong verbs. Use numbers to show impact.

Example:

Sales Assistant, GreenMart, Leeds — Jun 2022 to Present

• Trained four new starters; introduced a till rota that cut queue times by 18% at peak.
• Resolved stock shrink issue by auditing returns process; reduced weekly loss by ~£250.
• Maintained 95%+ mystery shop score for six months through consistent service standards.

Administrator, Northside Clinic, Leeds — Aug 2020 to May 2022

• Managed 60–80 patient calls per day; redesigned intake sheet to halve repeat calls.
• Co-ordinated rotas for 8 clinicians; improved coverage during school-holiday periods.
• Prepared monthly KPI pack; automated two reports in Excel saving ~3 hours/week.

Tips:

• Focus on results. “Processed invoices” is fine; “Processed 250+ invoices/month with 99% on-time payments” is better.
• Don’t list every task. Keep it relevant to the job you want.
• If a role was short-term or a contract, say so briefly.

4.5 Education and qualifications

List your most recent qualification first. Include the award, institution, location, and dates. Add key modules or projects if they help the role.

Example:
BSc (Hons) Computer Science, University of York — 2021
Modules: Databases, Algorithms, Human-Computer Interaction. Final year project: “Accessibility-first budgeting app”.

4.6 Optional sections

Use these if they add value:

• Certifications: First Aid at Work, Food Hygiene Level 2, CISCO, PRINCE2 Foundation, Google Analytics, etc.
• Volunteering: “Mentor, local coding club — supported 12 pupils; planned weekly tasks.”
• Languages: “Spanish (B2), Polish (native).”
• Interests: Only include if relevant or show commitment/leadership. “10k race organiser” beats “watching films”.

---

5) How to tailor your CV to each job

Tailoring is the fastest way to improve results. Do this every time:

1. Highlight the employer’s top three needs. Read the advert and person specification. Pick three items that are most important.
2. Match your profile and skills section. Use the same terms (if true) so the match is clear.
3. Re-order bullets and examples. Put your most relevant achievements at the top for each job entry.
4. Remove clutter. If a detail does not help you get this specific job, cut it or shrink it.
5. Mirror the tone. If the advert says “clients”, avoid switching to “customers”. Small matches help ATS and human readers.

Quick example: If the advert says “must reduce late payments and improve debtor days”, your bullet might read “Cut debtor days from 54 to 31 by introducing weekly reminders and revising credit terms.”

---

6) How to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Many employers use software to sort CVs before a person reads them. Make your CV ATS-friendly:

• Use standard headings: “Work Experience”, “Education”, “Skills”.
• Avoid text boxes, columns, headers/footers for key content. ATS can miss them.
• Save as .docx or PDF (if allowed). Keep file size small.
• Use keywords from the advert, naturally. If they ask for “budget management”, include those words if you have done it.
• Avoid images and fancy graphics for core information. They may not parse.

---

7) How to write a CV with little or no experience

If you’re a school leaver, student or career starter, you still have value to show. Focus on potential and transferable skills.

• Put a strong, specific profile at the top that links your course or interests to the role.
• Bring “Projects” or “Volunteering” up the page. Treat them like jobs with bullet points and outcomes.
• Add relevant short courses or certificates.
• Include part-time work and responsibilities (till use, cashing up, rota planning, club roles).
• Keep it to one page. Make every line earn its place.

Example (first CV):

Volunteer Events Assistant, City Foodbank — Oct 2024 to Present

• Co-ordinated Saturday donation drives; averaged 80+ donor interactions per event.
• Created simple sign-up sheet in Google Forms; grew volunteer pool by 25 people.

---

8) How to write a CV for a career change

Switching sectors? Use this plan:

1. Headline your goal: A one-line target role under your name can help. Example: “Aspiring Data Analyst”.
2. Write a “transferable skills” profile: Show the bridge from past to future.
3. Use a hybrid format: Keep work history in reverse order, but add a short “Relevant Projects” or “Key Competencies” block above it.
4. Show recent learning: Add online courses, certificates, and small projects to prove momentum.
5. Trim unrelated detail: Summarise earlier roles to one-line entries if they don’t help your case.

Mini example (career change):

Relevant Projects

• Analysed 24 months of sales data in Excel and SQL; built a dashboard that highlighted slow-moving stock and reduced over-ordering by ~15%.
• Completed a capstone project: forecasted monthly bookings using Python (pandas, scikit-learn) and shared results with non-technical colleagues.

---

9) How to handle employment gaps

Gaps happen. Keep your explanation brief and matter-of-fact. Do not leave a blank from one date to the next.

• Honest one-liners: “Full-time carer for family member (Jan 2023–Dec 2023)”, “Travel and study (Jun 2022–Feb 2023)”.
• Show growth: Add short courses, volunteering or freelance tasks during the gap if you did any.
• Keep dates clear: Use month and year to avoid confusion.

---

10) The 20 most common CV mistakes

1. Typos and poor grammar
2. Waffle: long paragraphs instead of clear bullets
3. CV too long or unfocused
4. No tailoring to the job
5. Vague claims without proof (“team player” with no example)
6. Missing contact details or unprofessional email address
7. Jargon and acronyms the reader won’t know
8. Fancy templates that break ATS parsing
9. Listing duties only, not results
10. Irrelevant hobbies taking a lot of space
11. Inconsistent dates or unexplained gaps
12. Too many buzzwords (synergy, ninja, guru)
13. Including salary expectations on the CV (leave for later)
14. Photos or personal data not needed in the UK
15. Duplicated content between profile and bullets
16. Weak file name (e.g., “CVfinal2.docx”)
17. No keywords from the advert
18. Wrong tense (use present for current role, past for previous)
19. Inconsistent formatting (random fonts, spacing, dashes)
20. No proofread by a second person

---

11) Example bullet points for different jobs

Administration

• Processed 200+ customer emails weekly; built canned replies that cut response time by 35%.
• Created a shared calendar system for 10 staff; reduced appointment clashes to zero.

Retail

• Exceeded weekly sales targets by 10–20% through product demos and upselling accessories.
• Implemented a new stock-count routine; reduced discrepancies by 60% in three months.

Hospitality

• Trained six new servers; improved table-turn time by 12 minutes at peak periods.
• Introduced allergen checklist; improved customer satisfaction scores from 4.2 to 4.7.

Customer service / call centre

• Handled 70–90 calls per day with 92% first-call resolution and 4.8/5 satisfaction.
• Escalated and resolved billing errors; recovered £18k over six months.

Care

• Supported eight residents with daily living needs; praised for dignity and clear records.
• Achieved 100% compliance on medication round for three consecutive audits.

IT / software

• Built and deployed internal tool in Python; reduced manual data entry by 70%.
• Resolved 40+ support tickets weekly; documented fixes for faster future handling.

Construction / trades

• Installed 50+ boilers to manufacturer standards; zero call-backs over 12 months.
• Co-ordinated materials ordering; cut site downtime by 15% through better scheduling.

Marketing

• Managed social content calendar; grew engagement 180% in six months.
• Ran A/B tests on landing pages; improved signup conversion from 2.3% to 4.1%.

---

12) International CV tips

If you apply outside the UK, research local norms:

• USA/Canada: “Resume” instead of CV; 1 page preferred; no date of birth or photo.
• EU: CV often 1–2 pages; some countries accept a photo; check local guidance.
• Middle East/Asia: Requirements vary; some employers request a photo or full address. Follow the advert.

Always follow the employer’s instructions first.

---

13) Finishing touches: proofreading, file names, and submission

• Proofread three ways: print it, read it aloud, and ask someone else to check it.
• Use a clear file name: Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf
• Send as requested: If the advert says upload as PDF, do that. If it says paste into a form, use plain text and keep formatting simple.
• Keep a master copy: Store a long “master CV” with everything. For each application, copy and trim to a tailored version.
• Track applications: Note date sent, version sent, contact person, and follow-up date.

---

14) Frequently asked questions

How long should my CV be?

One to two pages for most roles. Senior specialists may go to three, but only if every line adds value.

Do I need a photo?

No, not in the UK unless the employer specifically asks for it.

Should I include references?

No. Add “References available on request” if you like, but most employers will ask later.

What file format should I use?

PDF or .docx unless the advert says otherwise.

Can I use a creative template?

Yes for design/creative roles. For most roles, keep it simple to pass ATS and be easy to read.

How do I show part-time or gig work?

Group short engagements under one heading like “Freelance/Agency Work”, with bullets showing the impact.

What if I have a 10-year gap?

Explain briefly and positively. Add any volunteering, training or caring responsibilities to show how you kept skills up to date.

Should I list every job I’ve ever had?

No. Focus on the last 10–15 years and the roles that match the job you want now.

How do I show promotions?

Stack roles under the same employer with dates and one-line promotion notes. Example: “Customer Assistant (2019–2021) → Supervisor (2021–2024)”.

How do I show achievements if I can’t share numbers?

Use percentages, ranges, or quality measures. Example: “Cut backlog significantly” becomes “Cut backlog by ~40% over 8 weeks.”

---

15) Printable checklist

• ✔️ Clear, simple layout (1–2 pages)
• ✔️ Strong, tailored profile (2–4 sentences)
• ✔️ Skills list matches the advert
• ✔️ Work history in reverse order (with achievements)
• ✔️ Education and relevant qualifications included
• ✔️ Optional extras only if they add value
• ✔️ Keywords from the job description used naturally
• ✔️ ATS-friendly format (no key info in text boxes/graphics)
• ✔️ No unexplained gaps or inconsistent dates
• ✔️ Professional file name and format
• ✔️ Proofread by another person

---

16) Useful links and free templates

• National Careers Service – How to write a CV
• GOV.UK – Applying for a job
• Prospects – CV advice and examples
• LinkedIn Learning – CV/Resume writing courses
• Canva – Free CV templates (use simple ones for ATS)
• JobHelp – Practical job-search support

---

17) Plain-English glossary

• ATS (Applicant Tracking System): Software that scans CVs for keywords before a person reads them.
• Bullet point: A short line that starts with a symbol; ideal for listing achievements.
• Chronological CV: A CV where work history is listed from most recent to oldest.
• Functional (skills-based) CV: A CV that groups experience under skills; useful for career changes or limited experience.
• Profile (summary): Short paragraph at the top that explains your value and goal.
• Transferable skills: Skills useful in many jobs (for example, communication, planning, problem-solving).

---

Final thoughts

Great CVs are simple, focused and honest. They make it easy for a busy reader to see the match between you and the role. Start with a clean layout, write clear bullets that show results, and tailor for each application. Keep learning, keep improving, and treat your CV as a living document you update as your skills grow. With this approach, you will give yourself the best chance of turning applications into interviews — and interviews into job offers.