A CV, which stands for curriculum vitae, is a document used when applying for jobs. It allows you to summarise your education, skills and experience enabling you to successfully sell your abilities to potential employers. Alongside your CV employers also usually ask for a cover letter.
In the USA and Canada CVs are known as résumés. These documents tend to be more concise and follow no particular formatting rules.
How long should a CV be?
A standard CV in the UK should be no longer than two sides of A4. Take a look at our example of a chronological CV for inspiration.
That said one size doesn’t fit all. For example, a school leaver or recent graduate with minimal experience may only need to use one side of A4. Although not used as often, a three-page CV might be needed for those in high-level roles or for people who have gained a lot of experience or worked in multiple jobs over the last five to ten years. For example, some medical or academic CVs may be longer depending on your experience. While it’s important to keep your CV concise you should also avoid selling your experience short.
To save space only include the main points of your education and experience. Stick to relevant information and don’t repeat what you’ve said in your cover letter. If you’re struggling to edit your CV ask yourself if certain information sells you. If it doesn’t cut it out. If it’s not relevant to the job you’re applying for delete it and if it’s old detail from ten years ago summarise it.
There are two main types of CV.
Recruiters take 15-20 seconds to scan your CV the first time. If you make a good impression, they’ll read your CV more closely.
To make your CV look good:
Save your CV as both a Word document and a PDF. An employer may need either one of these file formats.
Label your CV files with your name, the application date, and the job you’re applying for.
If you update your Word document, remember to also create a new PDF .
A CV must include:
A CV could also include:
Don’t put:
Include:
Optional:
Make sure that:
An objective gives brief details about the type of work and role you would like and the industry you want to work in.
A personal statement gives the employer an idea of who you are in three or four sentences.
You can include:
The skills you put in your CV should be the same skills listed in the job advertisement.
Include a technical skill section in your CV to list skills such as:
In a skills-focused CV, list the skills from the job advertisement with examples of how you’ve used those skills. This should be at the top of your CV.
In a work-focused CV, describe your skills in your work history.
List your most recent jobs or work and volunteer experience first. Your work history needs to include:
Beneath this, list the tasks you performed. Also list any achievements.
If you change jobs in the same organisation, include both job titles/roles.
You don’t need to list all your work history – keep your CV short.
If you choose a skills-focused CV:
If you choose a work-focused CV, describe your skills more:
Responsible for food and drink and customer service in bakery.
If you have gaps where you haven’t been in paid work:
List your qualifications or education in the qualifications section of your CV. You can include:
List the newest or most relevant qualification first. Include:
Include an achievements section in your CV if you have important achievements that aren’t covered in the skills or work history sections.
You can include such things as:
For each example, note what the achievement was, and when and where you achieved it.
Including your interests on your CV is optional. If you do, make sure you:
Referees talk to employers about your skills, work history and personality.
You need at least two referees. One referee should be your current manager, team leader or work experience supervisor.
Other referees could be a:
Referee contact details should include their:
See examples of school leaver, skills-focused and work-focused CVs and try our CV templates.
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