how to write a resume uk

United Kingdom CV Tips & Format Requirements

Applying for a job in the United Kingdom? This guide has the tips, examples, & format requirements needed to write the perfect UK CV. Create your VisualCV today!

UK CV Requirements

Applying for a position in the United Kingdom requires a specific CV format. When you are looking for work in the UK, make sure that your CV is suitable for a UK audience and will meet the expectation of recruiters.

Browse our gallery of resume examples here.

How to Format a UK CV?

To best format the CV, you need to select the best layout based on your relevant past experience and the type of role you are applying for.

There are three general CV layouts in UK that are popular:

Reverse chronological CV format
Combination CV format
Functional CV format

Reverse Chronological CV Format for UK

Functional CV Format for UK

Combination CV Format for UK

A combination CV format is helpful if you are applying for a job in the UK where you wish to display with clarity how your past skills and experience are transferable to the job you are applying for.

UK CV Examples

Administration uk cv example.

Retail UK CV Example

Professional British CV Example

Engineer UK CV Example

Marketing UK CV Example

Management UK CV Example

Accounting UK CV Example

UK CV Tips and rules:

CV, not Resume: The term ‘CV’ is most common in the United Kingdom. The terms ‘resume’ and ‘curriculum vitae’ are rarely used.

Language: Be sure to write your CV in proper British English - for example, write ‘labour’ rather than ‘labor’ and ‘optimise’ rather than ‘optimize’.

Length: Your UK CV should not exceed two pages - “no longer than two sides of A4”, according to Rachel Swain at Prospects.ac.uk.

Resume template: Browse through our gallery of UK resume templates .

UK CV Format, Order and Layout:

Photo: A photo is not expected on your UK CV. While common in the rest of Europe, it is rare to see a picture on a CV in the United Kingdom. In certain roles, such as some sales positions or a creative job where visual presentation is key, a picture may be acceptable, but be sure to research the company first.

Personal Information: The only personal information required for a UK CV is your contact information - your name, home address, mobile phone number and email address (which should be some variation of your name: [email protected] or something similar). No other personal information should be included.

Personal Statement: Your CV should begin with a brief description, no more than five lines of text, that describes who you are, what you can do, and what you bring to the position you are applying to. Your personal statement should be tailored to the job description - focus on the skills and experience that make you suited for this particular job. Personal statements are not mandatory, but they are a great way to grab an employer’s attention. According to Michael Cheary at reed.co.uk , “a well written personal statement can mean the difference between standing out from the crowd and your application being rejected.”

Work experience: Display your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent. Use this space to showcase your achievements in each position - important milestones and quantifiable data are more impressive than daily duties. Use proactive action words to make your experience sound interesting and dynamic.

Education: Education should also be listed from most recent to least recent. Include all relevant certifications, including institution names and dates. Your education section should come after your work experience, unless you graduated very recently.

Other sections for your UK CV:

Skills: It is common to include a simple list of skills kept separate from your work history. This provides a quick, at-a-glance look at what you excel at, without delving into your experience too much.

Volunteer experience: Volunteering experience should be noted on your CV. If you prefer, you can include volunteer experience in your Work History section, but remember to specify when a role is a volunteer position.

Languages: Feel free to note any languages you are fluent in. This is particularly important when the job calls for multiple languages.

References: It is not necessary to include references in your CV. Instead, follow up with references to an employer separately when asked.

How do I Write a UK CV in 2024?

To write a UK CV in 2024 follow these steps:

First, select the right UK CV format based on your experience level. A reverse chronological CV format is good for experienced professionals, and a functional UK CV format is perfect for most entry level professionals.
Second, right the perfect CV header.
Third, write your UK CV summary or objective.
Fourth, describe your work experience on your CV.
Lastly, list any skills or achievements you’ve in a CV skills or an accomplishments section.

What is a UK CV Format?

The UK CV format requires your CV to be:

A maximum of two pages long.
In an A4 format.
Either be a reverse chronological or a functional CV.

How do I Write a Good UK CV?

To write a good UK CV ensure that you start with the right CV format and then customize the CV based on the job you are applying for. Pick up keywords and skills that are mentioned in the job description and modify your UK CV to show relevant skills and experience.

What Font Should a CV be in the UK?

The following fonts are preferred for a UK CV - Roboto, Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman. To give your UK CV a modern look you can select a Sans serif font e.g. Roboto, and for traditional looking CVs you can go for a Serif type font e.g. Times New Roman.

2024 UK CV Trends

In 2024, UK CV trends emphasize adaptability and precision to align with job market demands.

Functional CVs are increasingly popular, particularly for showcasing skills over employment history, which is ideal for career changers or those with gaps in their work history.
Combination CVs blend skills and experience, favored for their ability to highlight how past roles prepare candidates for future positions.
Brevity and Structure: A two-page limit ensures CVs are concise and scannable, making key qualifications quickly visible to recruiters.
Personal Profiles: Strong introductory statements or profiles are crucial, offering a tailored summary of skills and experiences relevant to the job.
Simple Design: Clear, well-organized CV layouts help ensure information is easy to read and professionally presented.

How Many Pages a UK CV Should Be?

Your CV should be one page if you are either an entry-level or a mid-career professional with less than 15 years of experience. For those who have more than 15 years of experience, a CV can be more than one page.

What Font Size Should my CV be in the UK?

A font size between 10 to 12 is considered easy to read. So make sure that your UK CV’s font size isn’t less than 10, but not greater than 12 either.

Conclusion:

Though CVs in English-speaking countries are very similar, each country has its own nuances that must be observed for best results. When writing a UK CV, pay attention to the specific requirements of each employer and if possible, have someone you trust read over your CV before submitting your application.

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Careers advice

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Person sat at a table writing a CV on a laptop.

How to write a CV

A CV is a summary of your skills, achievements and experience that you use to apply for jobs.

Why you need a CV

A CV is your first chance to promote yourself. A good CV might get you a job interview.

You usually need a CV to apply for a job or to give to an employer you’d like to work for.

Tips for writing your CV

Employers get lots of CVs to look at and have to decide quickly who they're going to interview.

When you write your CV, remember to:

use a clear font like Arial, Times New Roman or Calibri in size 11 or bigger
always use the same style throughout
use headings and bullet points to make it easier to read
be clear and to the point
get someone else to read it to double check your spelling and grammar

Information you need for your CV

Start with the job advert for the role you’re applying for so you can look at the job description, essential criteria and the company details.

If the job you're applying for does not have a job description, you can look at our job profiles to see what skills you’ll need and the typical things you’ll do in that job.

You should write your CV to match the job and company you're applying for to improve your chances of getting an interview.

Sections for your CV

Your CV should include a section for your contact details, an introduction, your education history, your work history and references.

Contact details

You need to let employers know how to contact you if they want to offer you an interview.

You should include your name, phone number, email address and a link to your work network profile, if you have one, such as LinkedIn .

You should not include your age, your date of birth, whether you're married or your nationality.

Introduction

This is a few short lines that sum up who you are and what you hope to do. It should go just under your name and contact details.

Make your introduction sound like you're the right person for the job.

Education history

You can add this after the introduction if you’re early in your career or do not have much work experience.

If you have a lot of work experience, you might want to change the order and show off your work history and experience first.

Whatever order you choose, you’ll need to include the:

names of your qualifications
name of the school, college or university where you studied
dates you attended

Work history

You should include details of any work placements, volunteering and paid jobs you’ve had. List the most recent experience first.

You should include:

the employer name
the job title
the dates you worked there
what you did, usually 2 to 3 lines using the STAR method

Gaps in your work history

It's normal to have some gaps between jobs and work experience when life events happen.

You can read our advice on how to explain gaps in your work history .

Short work history

If you’re applying for your first job, you can focus on skills you’ve learned through projects, work experience or volunteering.

You can also include your interests and hobbies that show some of the skills you have. For example, if you're a captain of a sports team, this demonstrates leadership and organisation skills.

You might want to include a section about references if there is someone who has agreed to give you one. This could be your current or previous employer, a teacher or someone respected in your community.

However you should not put someone else's contact details on your CV. Instead, you can say that 'references are available on request'.

Speak to an adviser if you need help

It's ok to feel overwhelmed or confused about how to write a CV, especially if you do not have a lot of work experience.

A careers adviser can help you work out what your CV should say and get you on the path to your dream career.

Speak to a careers adviser

How to write a CV

Recruiters only spend eight seconds looking at your CV so you've got to be sure it stands out for all the right reasons. Find out how to write a CV and discover tips that will help ensure your application makes it to the interview stage

What is a CV?

A CV, which stands for curriculum vitae (a Latin phrase meaning 'course of life'), is a document used when applying for jobs. It allows you to summarise your education, skills and relevant work experience enabling you to successfully sell your abilities to potential employers. Alongside your CV, employers may also ask for a cover letter .

In other countries, such as 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.

When writing a CV, save space by only including 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.

What should I include in my CV?

Contact details - Include your full name, home address, mobile number and email address. Your date of birth is irrelevant and unless you're applying for an acting or modelling job you don't need to include a photograph. If you have a professional networking profile, website or online portfolio, link to it within your contact details.
Profile - A CV profile is a concise statement that highlights your key attributes and helps you stand out from the crowd. Usually placed at the beginning of a CV, it picks out a few relevant achievements and skills, while expressing your career aims. A good CV profile focuses on the sector you're applying to, as your cover letter will be job-specific. Discover how to write a personal statement for your CV .
Education - List and date all previous education, including professional qualifications. Place the most recent first. Include qualification type/grades, and dates. Mention specific modules only where relevant.
Work experience - List your work experience in reverse date order, making sure that anything you mention is relevant to the job you're applying for. Include your job title, the name of the company, how long you were with the organisation and key responsibilities. If you have plenty of relevant work experience, this section should come before education.
Skills and achievements - This is where you talk about the foreign languages you speak and the IT packages you can competently use. The skills you list should be relevant to the job. Don't exaggerate your abilities, as you'll need to back up your claims at interview. If you've got lots of job-specific skills, you should do a skills-based CV .
Interests - 'Socialising', 'going to the cinema' and 'reading' aren't going to catch a recruiter's attention. However, relevant interests can provide a more complete picture of who you are, as well as giving you something to talk about at interview. Examples include writing your own blog or community newsletters if you want to be a journalist, being part of a drama group if you're looking to get into sales and your involvement in climate change activism if you'd like an environmental job. If you don't have any relevant hobbies or interests, leave this section out.
References - You don't need to provide the names of referees at this stage. You can say 'references available upon request' but most employers would assume this to be the case - so if you're stuck for space, leave this out.

For more help and advice on how to create a CV and to find CV templates, see example CVs .

How do I format a CV?

The layout of your CV also has an effect on its success. Keep in mind the following tips when crafting your CV:

Avoid titling the document 'curriculum vitae' or 'CV '. It's a waste of space. Instead, let your name serve as the title.
Section headings are a good way to break up your CV . Ensure they stand out by making them larger (font size 14 or 16) and bold.
Avoid fonts such as Comic Sans . Choose something professional, clear and easy to read such as Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman. Use a font size between 10 and 12 to make sure that potential employers can read your CV. Ensure all fonts and font sizes are consistent throughout.
List everything in reverse chronological order . Then the recruiter sees your work history and most recent achievements first.
Keep it concise by using bullet points . This type of CV layout allows potential employers to skim your CV and quickly pick out important information first.
Double check your margins . Having white space around your CV will make it easier to read and look less cluttered. Aim for 2.5 centimetre margins all the way around. Don't be tempted to make these smaller to fit more in.
Name the document when saving . Don't just save as 'Document 1'. Make sure the title of the document is professional and identifies you, such as 'Joe-Smith-CV'.
Save with the correct file extension . Double check what this is by looking at the job advert, application instructions or by contacting the recruiter. Some adverts my state a .PDF file extension while others my ask for .docx.

How do I write a good CV?

Use active verbs when possible . For example, include words like 'created', 'analysed' and 'devised' to present yourself as a person who shows initiative.
Avoid generic, over-used phrases such as 'team player', 'hardworking' and 'multitasker'. Instead, provide real-life examples that demonstrate all of these skills.
Tailor your CV . Look at the company's website and social media accounts. Find out if they've recently been mentioned in the local press and use the job advert to make sure your CV is targeted to the role and employer.
Create the right type of CV for your circumstances . Decide whether the chronological, skills-based or academic CV is right for you.
Make sure your email address sounds professional . If your personal address is inappropriate, create a new account for professional use.
Don't lie or exaggerate on your CV or job application . For example, altering your degree grade from a 2:2 to a 2:1 is classed as degree fraud. Take a look at this advice and guidance on degree fraud for students .
If posting your CV online, don't include your home address , as you could be targeted by fraudsters.
Always include a cover letter unless the employer states otherwise . It will enable you to personalise your application. You can draw attention to a particular part of your CV, disclose a disability or clarify gaps in your work history.

How do I navigate gaps in my CV?

Employers understand that candidates have lives and responsibilities beyond the world of work, so don't automatically assume that a gap in your education or employment history will take you out of the running.

Acknowledging a period of time spent out of education or work is a bit of a balancing act. You need to make the recruiter aware, without going into too much detail (you'll get the chance to do this in your cover letter - read our example cover letter explaining a gap in your CV .)

Briefly mention (in the appropriate section) the reason for the gap (with dates) - be that a gap year, illness, caring for a relative or redundancy. Rather than going into too much detail, instead list the transferable and relevant skills/qualifications gained during this experience.

You could mention:

details of online courses or Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) you've undertaken or webinars or online events you've attended
the acquisition of new skills, such as learning a language or learning to code
volunteering work
charity work - perhaps you got involved with fundraising or raising awareness of a particular organisation
new hobbies, such as starting to vlog, picking up a sport, learning to cook or setting up a community book club.

Remember - you'll need to relate these to the job you're applying for, so focus on the skills these activities taught you and how/why they'd be useful.

Where to put this information depends on the activities. Volunteering or charity work can be included under the 'Work experience' heading. The online courses and additional qualifications you've gained can go in the 'Education' section while any new skills you've learned need to be housed under 'Skills and achievements'. If any new hobbies are relevant to the role you're applying for, place these in the 'Hobbies and interests' section.

How is AI used in the recruitment process?

A recent survey by the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) found that nearly a third of employers use AI in their hiring processes.

While predominantly used in online psychometric tests, AI is increasingly used by employers in the form of applicant tracking systems (ATS).

An ATS works by using keyword trackers to scan through CVs to identify relevant candidates and filter out those who don't meet the requirements. CVs that fit the bill are then ranked in order of suitability. Basically, it narrows down the number of CVs a hiring manager has to look at, saving them time and allowing them to focus their efforts on the interview and evaluation stages. An applicant tracking system also usually includes features that track an applicant's progress after selection, helping employers to remain organised.

To optimise your CV for an ATS, make sure you:

Research the company and tailor your CV.
Thoroughly read the job description and person specification and include relevant keywords from these in your CV.
Identify all your qualifications/certifications by name.
Avoid images, logos or graphics as an ATS can't read them. Use text only.
Make sure you save your CV with an appropriate file format. Not all ATS' are compatible with a PDF. Check to see which file format you'll need.

Can I use AI in my job application?

The short answer is yes, as long as you use AI tools sensibly.

The slightly longer answer advises you to use with caution. For starters, it's a good idea to check where recruiters stand on the issue. Do they welcome applications that utilise AI? Read all application instructions carefully and if needed contact hiring managers directly for guidance.

Responsible ways to use AI in job applications include:

preliminary research
summarising job descriptions
using AI generated CV and cover letter templates
utilising mock interview simulators to practice your interview performance.

AI shouldn't be used to:

write your CV, personal summary or cover letter in its entirety
script word-for-word answers to common interview questions
generate responses in skills or aptitude tests.

While many employers embrace the use of AI, it's essential that your application is authentic. Generic, impersonal, robotic CVs and applications that have been copied and pasted from AI generators are unlikely to impress.

As the use of AI becomes more prevalent, recruiters are more adept at spotting it. So never attempt to pass off a completely AI generated CV as your own.

Read more about using generative AI in job applications .

What common mistakes should I avoid making in my CV?

With such a small window of opportunity to impress potential employers, mistakes can be costly. Here are a few examples of things you should avoid:

Poor formatting - When thinking about how to format your CV, recruiters need to find the most relevant information as easily as possible. 'The formatting of your CV forms the recruiter's first impression of your application. So if it isn't good, then they start thinking that you aren't very good, and however strong the content is, it's difficult to win someone round from there,' says Graham Philpott, head of careers consultancy at the University of Reading. It's important to keep your CV concise so that it can be absorbed quickly. The template you choose to follow should be striking yet uncluttered.
Failing to tailor your application - 'Your CV is a marketing tool, and all marketing needs to be tailored to its audience if it is to be successful,' explains Graham. Everything you include must be relevant to the company and role you're applying for. 'Recruiters can easily spot a generic CV - it may be time-consuming, but putting in that extra effort to tailor your CV to the specific role will really pay off,' adds Jo Horton, careers adviser at the University of Leeds. Don't be afraid to be ruthless in removing irrelevant experiences. 'Tailoring your CV also sends the message that you have taken care and attention with your application. This shows that you want the job, and that you take pride in the work you submit - both of which will be appreciated by the recruiter,' says Graham.
Spelling errors - An error-free CV is vital in showcasing your precision and attention to detail, so check everything - even your contact details. Minimise the risk of mistakes by taking your time - never leave writing your CV to the last minute. Make use of spell-checking functions in software such as Microsoft Word. Another good tip is to temporarily change the font, size and colour - it can trick your brain into thinking it's a new piece of writing, enabling you to spot mistakes you might have missed. Graham suggests setting your application aside 'for a few hours, better still a full day, then re-read it again with fresh eyes.' Other handy tips include printing your CV and reading it aloud and reading your CV from bottom to top.
Lying - The facts on your CV are easy to corroborate so never assume that recruiters won't make enquiries to do so. Claiming to have attended university when you haven't, lying about your current job title or embellishing a period of work experience won't do you any favours. At best, your lies will be obvious and your CV will be rejected. At worst, you may be invited for an interview where you'll be asked questions that you're unable to answer. More importantly, lying on your CV is a criminal offence. 'It's good to be confident when applying for jobs, to be positive about the skills and experience that you have and to present these in the most dynamic way possible, but outright lying is a definite no,' explains Jo.
Lack of evidence - Failing to evidence your skills, achievements and experiences can be a big mistake. You need to back up how you meet the requirements, because without this information an employer can't be confident that you're able to do the job effectively [DH2] . Graham agrees 'It's easy to say that you have a skill, but evidence equals believability, and you need to be believed.' Jo says, 'anyone can write on their CV that they have problem-solving skills or are able to remain calm under pressure. To make your CV stand out you need to back up these claims with evidence, e.g. 'Remained calm under pressure when answering telephone queries from up to 100 customers a day when working on the customer complaints line.' This proves to the recruiter that you have the skills they are looking for and demonstrates how your previous experience is relevant.'
Ignoring gaps in your work history - As previously mentioned, gaps in employment history are fairly common and rarely a problem as long as they're explained. Don't be afraid to let recruiters know that you took some time out to volunteer, look after a sick relative or travel the world. There's also no shame in informing employers of a period spent away from work due to an illness, medical condition or redundancy.

Where can I get help with my CV?

If you're a student or recent graduate and you'd like help putting together a CV, then you can get professional advice from your university careers service.

Find out more

Discover how to write a legal CV and cover letter .
Read up on creative CVs .
Learn more about the top 7 CV mistakes .
Take a look at how to create a video CV .

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How to write a CV

Your CV is designed to demonstrate why you’d be a good fit for the role you’re applying for, whether it's a full-time job, an apprenticeship or an internship, to name a few. It includes any professional experience and your education too. But it’s also designed to showcase your personality and how you might be a good fit for the company.

While there is no ‘one way’ to write a CV, there are a couple of elements that most CVs always have:

Length: no longer than two sides of A4 paper, typed (not including your cover letter).
Font: keep it black, between size 10-12, and a common type such as Calibri, Arial or Times New Roman.
Layout: simple and clear, using headings, formatting (bolding, italics, underlining), and spacing to structure the information and make it easy to read.

Keep in mind that the simpler the layout, the more likely it’ll look the same across different devices. If you’re applying for a creative or design role, you might want to play with the layout to help show your practical skills.

md-6230-27-apprenticeship-interview-800x600.png

The biggest tip for what to include in your CV is to tweak and tailor it to the job you’re applying for. Don’t send a generic CV that details all your experience and skills.

Read the job description for the role you’re applying for, research the employer, and choose the experience and skills that are most relevant.

Contact details

phone number
email address (make sure it’s a professional one)

Make sure this information is up to date so a potential employer can reach you. They won’t want to have to chase you.

Introduction

This could be a top line summary about yourself, and it shouldn’t be longer than a few sentences. You might want to mention some of your key strengths and attributes here, especially any that the role explicitly requires.

Expect to back these up in the main body of your CV, and to talk about them during an interview.

Work experience

Beginning with your most recent or current position and going backwards, list out your previous jobs, including different roles at the same employer.

company name
your job title
how long you’ve been employed (years and months)
your main responsibilities

Try to highlight what you achieved or the impact you made in a previous role and tie these back to the required skills or experience.

Like work experience, beginning with your most recent education, list out your formal education history, going back to secondary school. You should include:

the name of the place you studied
when you studied there
the qualification and grade/s you achieved

Other achievements, qualifications, and skills

You might want to list other things that don’t quite sit within your work or education history. They may be asked for explicitly in the job description. Depending on the role, examples you might include could be:

specialist training like health and safety or first aid
the ability to speak different languages or sign language, for example
knowledge of software or equipment, such as video or photo editing programmes, or use of Microsoft Excel
awards you may have like the Duke of Edinburgh award or an academic award or scholarship
links to online portfolios or blogs if you’re interested in a job around journalism or content, for example

Hobbies and interests

Hobbies, passions, and interests can be a great way to stand out from the crowd and a nice icebreaker in an interview.

But it's unlikely that they will be the reason you're offered a position – work experience and qualifications will usually be the deciding factor when an employer makes a job offer.

If you have room in your CV, you may want to include some hobbies or interests which help showcase your personality.

A reference is a way to back up what you’ve put on your CV and a way for potential employers to check what you’ve said. The person who writes your reference is called a ‘referee’. You can simply write ‘References available on request,’ and provide their contact details later.

You might also like to read

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How to write a winning UK CV with templates

Briony Ranasinghe

The resume format for the U.K. is not similar to that of most European countries . There are certain specific requirements for the UK resume that need to be known when creating a resume. In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know when you are making your UK resume, targeting how to write a UK cv with examples.

For instance, in the UK the resume is commonly known as the CV; not resume and curriculum vitae. Most job adverts, therefore, will ask for a CV rather than a resume.

Need help creating a UK CV? Try Cresuma’s resume builder.

UK CV Format 2024

There are two main UK CV formats that are used for the UK. The reverse chronological format and the skills-targeted format. There are certain standards that should be practiced for both formats.

UK CV Format Standards

The CV should be no more than 2 sides of an A4.
No need to have the header of CV
CV must be in British English, e.g., colour instead of color.
All text should be in a standard font such as Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri or Georgia.
Text should be no less than 10 points and no more than 12 points and the same size throughout.
Headings should be between 14-18 points.
Text should be left-aligned
Margins must be between 1.7 - 2.5 cm
CV should be saved as a PDF before being sent.

The Chronological Format

This is the most common format for resumes and the one most recruiters and hiring managers expect to see.

The format here which is known as the reverse chronological format refers to stating the most recent experience or qualifications that you've obtained first and then move on to the rest in an orderly manner.

For professionals who have seen steady career growth or have more experience in their field, this is the best UK CV format with regard to employment as it highlights your employment history.

The Best Template for Chronological Format

The Skills-based Format

This format is ideal for those who are entering into the field for the first time either as a fresher or career-changer. This is also a good format for those who are coming back to the field after an absence. As the name suggests, this format focuses on skills that you have attained rather than work experience.

The Perfect Template for the Skills-oriented format

So now that you know the formats, you need to know what sections you need to add to your CV.

What do you include in a CV?

There are six main sections in a UK CV. They are:

Personal Details

Work experience.

Hobbies, Interests and Achievements

You need to add very few personal details for a UK CV. Just your name, telephone number and email address are enough. You can also add links to professional accounts such as LinkedIn. You should not add any photos or extra details to your personal details section. This section should be at highlighted in your CV, ideally at the top no matter which format you use.

An idea for the personal details section

The profile is a few short sentences that provides a summary of who you are and what you hope to do in the future. Tailoring your profile to the company will make you sound like the best person for the job. It is important that your profile be highlighted in your CV, by placing it at the top of the first page for example.

The best format for your profile

Your most recent job should be the first in your employment history. If you have volunteer experience relevant to the role you are applying for include that and mention it is volunteer work. You should mention the title, name of the company, how long you were there, and what your role consisted of. It’s a good idea to mention in bullets or two to three lines key achievements and awards that you received while you were working.

Try making your CV unique by using keywords and action verbs that show what a good candidate you are to the hiring manager.

Use Cresuma’s keyword tool to find the best keywords.

The perfect work experience example

If you don’t have much work experience and are using a skills-based CV format, your skills should be placed above your work experience.

Group your skills under one clear skill and elaborate on why a particular skill would help you in the position you’ve applied for or how you learned the skill. Remember, it doesn’t have to be very long, just convincing. Try to avoid buzzwords that will negatively impact your prospects.

The Best Template to Highlight your Skills

The Education section of a CV is the same standard that is used all over the world. You need to mention your qualifications; the school, college or university you studied at; and the years attended. This section should follow either the skills or work-experience section depending on the format that you have selected.

How to write the perfect education section

Interests or Achievements

This section does not have a structured format and only should be used if it is relevant to the job you are applying for.

However, this data can give a positive picture about your personality before the actual interview, hence can be a good move.

For instance, if you speak five languages, but are applying for a job as a computer programmer, you don’t need to mention it in your CV.

The best template for interests or achievements

Should I include references?

You don’t need to mention references in your CV unless the job posting specifically requests it. On the CV, you can simply mention “References are available on request”, like in the picture below.

Now that you know how to write a CV, you can create your own. Here are a few CV templates for a few fields that will help you get started.

The best template for a Teacher

The best template for a Sales Executive

The best CV template for an Accountant

A recognized UK CV format for an accountant is depicted in the image below which you can use as a guide.

More tips on how to write UK CV

Other than all the discussed factors, writing a winning UK resume includes some other key concerns as denoted below.

Incorporate a strong personal statement known as a profile summary too, as the personal statement conveys a gist about who you are at the beginning.
List out facts in your UK resume clearly in precise bullet points. Also, it’s important to make the bullet points as brief as possible to serve to page count limitation.
Dedicated cover letters that align with the job description are also vital to be shortlisted as cover letters are the initial source of information that sums everything up about you.

Now it's high time to get started on creating your own CV for that UK job with our guide on the United Kingdom CV format. For more ideas on international resume formats, see our international resumes page.

Or if you need more handy articles for CV tips and tricks, try our career guides.

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career-advice.jobs.ac.uk

How To Write A Good CV

It’s time to apply for a new job. You’ve recently graduated and are looking for your first job. You’re ready for a step up in your career and are prepping your CV and cover letter to reflect your experience. You’ve been made redundant and are using the opportunity to find a career that you really want. There are numerous reasons why you might need to give your CV and cover letter a makeover..

Your CV and cover letter will be the first thing that prospective employers will see about you. Follow this short 3-part guide on how to write a CV and cover letter to make sure it’s not the last.

1. How to structure your CV

It’s best to start off with your CV, as this will help you to gather together all of your experience, which will form the basis of your cover letter later.

But how do you write a CV? You might be intimidated by the blank page staring at you, or might already have a CV that outlines your background and experience but needs a refresh. Either way, the best place to start is by creating a structure. In this video, Andrew Fennell, founder of CV writing advice website StandOut CV , discusses how to format and structure a CV to get more interviews.

2. What to include in your CV

Knowing how to write a good CV is tricky, but in short, your CV needs to show that your career background and experience matches the job you’re applying for. If this is your first job and you have no previous work experience, this video will give you some great advice on how to write a CV with no experience:

Here are some key points to consider when deciding what to include in your CV:

What questions does your CV need to answer?

As we mentioned before, your CV is one of the first things that recruiters will see about you, so it’s worth trying to look at your CV from their perspective. Does it catch their attention, and does it give them the information they need ?

Include your personal details – name, address, phone number and email. Do not include your age or a photograph unless specifically asked to do so.
When you write your employment history and education details, put your most recent achievements first.
Keep your CV short, while still including sufficient detail . It sounds tricky, but it can be done. Academic CVs are usually at least 4-5 pages long, whereas CVs tailored to the private sector should be only 2.
You can sound professional without using excessive jargon. Keep your writing clear, direct and focused. Remember that the person looking at your CV might not be an expert in your field.
Use ‘doing’ words on your CV such as ‘developed’ or ‘organised’ . This makes you sounds active and not passive. But avoid clichés . You don’t want to be just another “fast learner” with a “good work ethic”.
Don’t talk about your social life unless your activities display an important skill such as leadership or teamwork.
Most importantly, proofread your CV . There should be no spelling, punctuation or grammar errors: unprofessional CVs are rejected. If you find editing your own work difficult, get a friend to read your CV.
Once you have finished it, show it to as many people as possible : your supervisor/mentor, colleagues, even your family and friends. Their first impressions will help you to improve your CV.

Will it get through the applicant tracking system (ATS)?

Did you know that many employers are now using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to assist in the shortlisting of applicants? This is basically software that scans your CV and cover letter for matching keywords to ensure that you are a potential match for the job before sending the application through to HR for review. In short, its purpose is to eliminate the least qualified, not identify the most suitable. So you’ll need to make sure your CV meets the job requirements so that it can get through the ATS and be reviewed by an actual human. Here are 5 things you need to know about how to make ATS work for you .

Have you made any common CV mistakes?

Writing a new CV can be daunting, but going through it with an open and critical mind can be key to writing an effective CV. Look at your CV through news eyes, and try to decide, if this CV came across your desk, would you hire you? Part of the process of critically analysing your CV is to check whether you’ve made any of these common CV mistakes , and fix them.

3. How to write an effective Cover Letter

It goes by many names; personal profile, supporting statement, CV statement, but whatever you call it, your cover letter is as important as your CV. Some could argue more important, because it is what the recruiter will see first, and could have a bearing on whether or not they continue to read your CV. And it would be such a pity if they didn’t, as you clearly match the job criteria (you made it through the ATS, after all). So it’s worth putting the time into making sure that your cover letter is an accurate reflection of you – not just your skills, but your personality as well. You want to make the recruiter remember you.

In this video, Andrew Fennell discusses how to write a cover letter and get noticed:

Start applying for jobs

After all that work, it’s now time to start applying for jobs. Remember that each job will have its own criteria, and to make it through the ATS, you’ll need to customise your CV to match the job description. This shouldn’t be too hard, as you now have a solid base to start from.

When you’re ready, visit jobs.ac.uk to start applying. You can also find more guidance, CV templates and interview tips in our Career Advice .

Thank you to StandOut CV for the use of their insightful videos. Andrew Fennell is the founder of CV writing advice website StandOut CV – he is a former recruitment consultant and contributes careers advice to websites like Business Insider, The Guardian and FastCompany.

For more CV tips and advice see:

Classic CV Guidelines
How To Write A Flawless Cover Letter
CV Advice Webinar
Preparing to Change Jobs? Make sure your CV is ready too!

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CV UK format examples

If you’re searching for a job in the UK, it’s important that you write your CV in UK format.

Although CVs are largely the same across the globe, every region has style preferences that you need to adapt to if you want to get shortlisted for jobs.

This guide, along with 6 example CVs will show you the preferred CV format for the UK and provide you with some helpful notes on how to write your own interview-winning CV for the UK job market.

CV templates

UK format Admin CV

Tips on creating a strong admin/office CV …

Head with an eye-catching CV profile

Ensure that UK recruiters and hiring managers are instantly impressed, by heading your CV with an introductory profile which summarises your skills and experience, like the sample CV above.

For best results, tailor this short paragraph to include key words from the job adverts you are applying for – this will make an instant first impression and encourage people to continue reading your CV.

Add a well-tailored core skills section

If you really want to ensure that busy recruiters and managers can quickly see your suitability, add a bullet pointed core skills section which reflects your most valuable skills and knowledge. This will create a snapshot that can be quickly seen from even a brief glance at the CV – ensuring the points aren’t missed.

Write powerful role descriptions

So that readers can understand your previous jobs and the value you added, make sure the roles are well structured and written.

Start with an outline sentence to give an overview of the job and the business of the employer.

List your office/admin responsibilities, being sure to detail who you interact with in the office, the skills you use, and how your work feeds into the business.

Finish each role with some quantified key achievements , to give employers an exact impression of how you have impacted the business positively.

Build your CV now

UK customer service CV

Tips on creating a strong customer service CV …

Ensure your customer service CV catches the attention of UK recruiters and hiring managers by writing an introductory paragraph which explains why you are suitable for the roles you are applying for.

Tailor it to match the candidate requirements of the job you are applying to – and keep it brief as recruiters see hundreds of CVs every day and don’t want to spend too much time on each one.

To ensure that your most in-demand skills are not missed – add a bullet pointed core skills section. The points will jump off the page and ensure that they are seen as soon as the CV is opened.

Pack this section full of essential customer service skills and qualifications.

Quick tip: If you worry that your spelling and grammar might not be correct, try using our quick-and-easy CV Builder to eliminate the risk of making mistakes.

Head each role with an introduction to build some quick context for readers, outlining the role and who you work/worked for.

Bullet point your responsibilities to detail your interactions with customer and duties you perform within each job.

Add some achievements to give examples of impressive results you’ve achieved in sales or service. Add numbers to give them scale if you can.

CV UK format – Teaching roles

Tips on creating a strong teaching CV …

To catch the attention of recruiters and head-teachers, add a punchy profile to the top of your CV, which summarises your teaching skills and experience. It should be heavily tailored towards your target jobs so that recruiters can quickly see you are a suitable candidate.

Make your most valuable skills stand out from the page by adding them to bullet pointed core skills section underneath your profile. This will help more UK recruiters stick to your CV as they browse through the hundreds of applications in their inbox.

Your role descriptions give you a great chance to prove the impact you make in the workplace.

Start each role with an intro that describes the institution you work for and overview of what/who you teach there.

Bullet point your responsibilities to show the skills you use and how you provide education over the long-term

Add achievements to prove impact such as improved standards or impressive exam results.

UK Finance CV

Tips on creating a strong finance CV…

Hold the attention of recruiters and hiring managers by adding a powerful profile to the top of your CV. This is a short paragraph which summarises your skill set and quickly shows readers a high level overview of your suitability for the jobs you are applying to.

Find out what the most important candidate requirements are for your target jobs, and add your matching skills and knowledge to a bullet pointed core skills section. This will highlight your most valuable skills to UK recruiters and help you get noticed as soon as the CV is opened.

Start your roles with an intro to show readers who you work/worked for, and what the overall goal of each role is.

List your responsibilities in easy-to-read bullet points, so they can be easily skim-read by recruiters and hiring managers.

Round off each role with some impressive achievements that have had an impact on your employers or clients. Add figures to them if you really want to prove how valuable you are as an employee.

UK Graduate CV

Tips on creating a strong graduate CV …

To create an impact whenever your CV is opened, write an elevator-pitch style opening profile, or personal statement . This is the place to make a big first impression by explaining why you are a suitable candidate for the roles you are applying for by giving a summary of your studies, skills and even experience if you have any.

Ensure that your most important skills and knowledge aren’t missed by adding a core skills section under your profile. Research your target jobs thoroughly, and add as many of the most frequently appearing candidate requirements as you can.

If you have any work experience then add it into your career summary – if not, you can also add voluntary work or school/university work placements .

Provide an intro outline for every role to show who you worked for and what the overall function of the job was.

Bullet point your responsibilities to showcase the skills you applied, and how they affected your employer.

If you made any impressive achievements in those jobs, add them to the bottom of your CV to show how you made a positive impact in the role.

UK format IT CV

Tips on creating a strong IT CV…

Lead with a punchy paragraph at the top of your CV which summarises all of your tech and non-tech skills to create a solid first impression.

Be sure to tailor this profile to the jobs you are applying for so that recruiters can instantly see how suitable you are.

Adding a bullet pointed list of core skills near the top the CV, ensure that recruiters can’t miss your most valuable skills.

Head every role with an intro line to build context for readers, by outlining the company and role function.

List role responsibilities in concise bullet points to show how your technical skills are used to solve business problems.

Finish each role by listing some achievements that have had a positive effect on your employer

Writing a CV in UK format

The above examples should give you a good steer on how to create your own CV in UK format .

Here are a few final tips to help…

Think before including a photo of yourself – UK employers don’t need them to make hiring decisions, but they can add some personality to the document – especially if you work in a creative industry.

Keep it simple – UK recruiters tend to be very busy, so make your CV easy to read by keeping the font and layout simple. And keep the CV to around 2 pages in length , unlike an American-style resume which is often only one page long.

Do your research – Find out what skills and experience UK recruiters are looking for, so you can tailor your CV accordingly.

Good luck with your job search!

CV Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
CV Examples Supermarket Student Cleaner Care Assistant Sales Assistant View all
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How to write a CV

The abbreviation CV is taken from the original “ curriculum vitae ” in Latin, which means “course of life.” It follows, then, that your CV serves as a brief and compelling window onto your unique skill set and achievements, while also hinting about your future performance.

Of course, matching your future potential with the realities of your past is a tough task — so how do you write a good CV? We'll help by exploring some important topics:

What do employers look for in a CV?

The best CV format
Choosing the correct CV template
How to write a CV summary/personal statement
How to detail your work experience
Creating a curriculum vitae skills section
Your education section
How to compose a cover letter alongside a CV

How do I start writing?

No one sits down and masters CV writing at the first attempt. You should expect hours of chats with friends, meticulous internet research and painfully honest soul searching. Your CV has the power to dictate your future path (or not). Take your time with it. Or use a professional online tool like ours to speed up the process and avoid mistakes.

What is a CV?

CV is the accepted term in many European countries (including the United Kingdom) for what's called a resume in the US: a professional document submitted when applying for a job. A CV showcases the job candidate’s work experience, professional skills, and education, as well as providing a short profile in the CV summary. CVs can be submitted for a variety of roles: internships, entry-level jobs, management positions, academic roles, and everything in between.

This CV example (downloadable in PDF) shows the impact of a powerfully written document:

How do you create a compelling CV when you’re a student with a limited or non-existent work history? It’s not as difficult as you think. Follow the guidelines below and you’ll be on your way to a career-opening position in no time.

You can use this CV example as the basis for your own writing and structuring. Beyond this, you can check out Resume.io’s 65+ CV examples for various professions and industries. Each CV example comes with a writing guide that provides practical and theoretical advice on making a great CV for a given role and field.

After you have written your CV, proofread it! Checking your CV writing is crucial, as even the smallest mistake can reflect badly on a candidate. Proofread it and then check it again. Or, you can use an online CV service such as ours that does the grammar checks for you while providing writing suggestions based on your job role.

How to choose a CV template

The visual look that you choose for your CV template can subtly alter the perception of your CV. The vast majority of job seekers choose professionally designed CV templates that have been optimised for content and hiring manager perception. Here, you can check out a selection of our CV templates:

While different industries favour different types of CV templates, there are a few rules for choosing a good CV template:

Colourful and unorthodox designs are more acceptable in creative industries, but still, moderation is best
Professions that require lots of training/education (such as medicine or law) favour a minimalist design and lots of white space since these types of CVs often include more text than other roles
IT/technical jobs often favour long skill lists
CV templates should be optimised for both PDF and Word export since you never know where you will be submitting your application (CVs sent by email are better as PDFs to conserve the formatting, while some online application systems accept only Word files).

Make sure your CV has the appropriate margins and uses an reader-friendly font like Times New Roman or Arial.

In the UK, it’s best to avoid including a photo on your CV due to anti-discrimination laws and professional conventions. In certain fields, it may be customary, in which case you should use a professional photo. We walk you through how you should and should not use a photo.

What is the best CV format?

Aside from the visual design, your CV format, as well as where and how you include the CV sections on the page, also makes a difference.

A reverse chronological CV format is the most common; this format lists work experience with the most recent jobs at the top. You can include a CV summary above this section, then add your skills and education below the work history. This creates powerful bookends to your career story, keeping your most recent work prominently displayed.

For those with less work experience or students starting out on a career, a functional CV format emphasises skills and abilities over work experience, but this is a less commonly used structure. There are also other options for CV writing with no experience.

How do I write a short CV?

When you use a professionally formatted template, brevity of language is essential. White space on the CV is important to allow for optimal processing of your information, so be brutal in choosing only the most relevant examples. Use concise language and bullet points to shorten the text.

Make an impression with your CV header and design

The header section of your CV contains all the basic contact information that a potential employer requires to invite you to an interview. Although you'll likely fill this information out when you apply, it's conventional to include it on your CV as well.

A header should be simple, easy to read, and professional. Just like your overall design, you can skip fancy graphics and fonts, opting instead for a streamlined look. You want to make it as easy as possible for a recruiter or hiring manager to get in touch with you.

Is a colourful CV unprofessional?

In today's visual age, using the same old black and white Word document may seem a little old-fashioned. A splash of colour and a visually pleasing format will delight the eyes of any hiring manager — remember, moderation is key.

Write a summary/professional statement

While the structural constraints of the CV work experience section necessitate short and factual descriptions of your accomplishments, the paragraph of your CV summary allows for a more personal exploration of your fit.

Therefore, you'll want to write a personal summary that is infused with character, includes verbs that hint at how you work, and shows your soft skills.

For the most impact, you should make the summary specific to the role that you are applying for. Although this may mean extra work to change it for every role, it helps you avoid generic "filler" and catches the hiring manager's attention. Always write in the third person (avoid pronouns like "I"), don’t ramble, and keep the focus on what really matters.

The very first sentence of your CV summary should demonstrate an understanding of the demands of the role and show how your past proves you can surpass those expectations. That is where you hit hardest.

Should I include a CV objective?

An objective can be deployed as part of a CV summary to clarify the desired direction of your career. If you're moving to a similar role, it doesn't make sense to include an objective, but if you're a career changer, freelancer, or recent grad, it may help to spell out your desired path.

Detail your work experience

Assuming you've chosen to write your CV in the reverse chronological CV format, your work experience is where you are truly able to tell your career story.

Include any relevant work experience from the past 10-15 years; earlier experience can be left off to avoid ageism and ensure your resume is only showing the most relevant experience. Select highlights and accomplishments that are relevant to your desired job and try to use industry terminology.

Share your most impactful accomplishments and back them up with quantifiable data as much as possible. Noting that you increased sales by £1.2M is fine, but it's better to add that this reflects a 15% increase over last year or that you increased market share by 10%. Too many candidates choose to exaggerate with fluffy language — hard data doesn't lie.

Finally, make sure that you've covered the basics for each role. Include the job title, company name, and the month and year you started and left the position. Don't falsify this information as it can easily be discovered.

Which accomplishments could I include in my work experience?

Increased productivity or development of solutions
Financial cost savings or improved bottom line
Innovations that led to set-change solutions
Procedures and processes you helped develop
Your impact on the personal development of colleagues or direct reports

What are conceptual skills and why are they important?

Even if hiring managers don’t ask about your conceptual skills, at least in so many words, being prepared with examples is advisable. Being shortlisted for that interview could hinge on how well your conceptual skills come across in your CV and cover letter.

Create a CV skills section

Most CV templates include a section where you can include a list of skills. Make sure you've studied the job description carefully for the sorts of words and phrases that might be expected in your CV.

Skills are your job search currency, so spend them wisely. If you choose the right mix of skills for the role in question, the hiring manager will want to know more. When you get to the interview, each skill that you have listed can act as a door to a fascinating career story or impressive achievement.

Remember, this section isn't the only place to show your skills on your CV. Your summary and work experience sections should also focus on your hard and soft skills.

3 rules for including CV skills:

Demonstrate an impressively rare and specific skill set
Avoid repeating skills – CV real estate is precious
Make your top CV skills the most visible across your application

Don’t forget your education

In a fast-changing world where we are all always learning, the education section of a curriculum vitae is often filled with far more than a university degree.

The education section of your CV is often quite straightforward: you'll want to include any educational accomplishments like degrees or certificates. This doesn't just mean a university degree, but that should be included as a matter of course. If you haven't attended university, include the highest education you have achieved.

You can also include relevant industry certifications, courses, and trainings here. This not only shows that you have useful skills and knowledge, it also makes it obvious that you value continuous learning.

Although education often comes near the bottom of a CV, if you have a degree, it should definitely be present. Many roles require a certain level of education and this is an easy way to make your qualifications clear.

Do I need to include hobbies on my CV?

As much as your future boss will want to get to know you once you've started in the role, displaying your hobbies will not significantly influence a hiring decision. Because a CV is a professional document, there's limited value to listing hobbies unless they're particularly relevant to the role or you are truly lacking in other experience.

The top leadership skills examples for your CV

What sort of a leader does your future employer need? Do you have the leadership skills to make the required impact? How do you help others on their career journey? Take a look at our leadership skills examples here.

There is one key question to consider when you are writing a CV: Would this employer want to hire me to do this job?

Every employer and every role will be looking for different things, so you may need to finesse your document for each job; like any good sales document, your CV should reflect the needs of the buyer (the company) as well as the benefits of what is being sold (your experience).

Employers will want to see not just what you did, but how you did it and what resulted. It's critical to quantify and detail the context of your achievements, as only then can the reader translate that into what it could mean for their business. Simply describing your responsibilities isn't enough.

Composing your CV with conversational language, using descriptive adjectives, and starting each bullet point with action verbs are all great ways of showing your personality and abilities.

What if I need help with CV writing?

Not all of us are gifted writers, so some people may benefit from working with a CV writer to perfect your career story. You provide the direction and they provide the words — it's often a worthwhile investment.

Another option is to use a CV builder that provides writing suggestions for industry phrases and skills, like the Resume.io builder which is based on advanced AI algorithms.

CV writing for entry-level jobs

CV writing for entry-level jobs follows the same general rules as most other CVs, but there are some ways to make them more effective. These include:

Mitigating a lack of work experience in your CV writing
Assuring the employer you have the necessary skills
Providing the impression you’re taking the job seriously and want to stay long term

For instance, if you lack work experience, you can do some of the following:

Rename the employment history section to “Experience” and list volunteer work, personal or educational projects, or temp jobs or internships
Move your education section to the top, below your summary. Mention any academic accolades along with certifications or training
Expand your skills section with additional soft skills / positive qualities.

At the end of the day, remember that thoughtful CV writing (combined with researching your employer) beats any single tip or trick alone.

How do you write a CV alongside a cover letter?

While a CV is a factual and formal account of your career that does not easily lend itself to much of a personal touch, a cover letter lets you showcase your personality and speak to the hiring manager directly about why you want the job. That's why many employers request a cover letter — it offers something that a CV cannot.

Creating a cover letter in tandem with your CV allows you to explore your career story in two complementary ways.

In terms of cover letter structure, the introduction sets the scene for your career story, the body lets you expand on why you are perfect for the role, and the conclusion asks for an opportunity to discuss more at an interview. The goal of the CV and cover letter is to intrigue the hiring manager and compel them to want to find out more.

Did you know the length of your CV can make or break your job application? When hiring managers are tight on time, give them exactly what they’re looking for with these expert tips on CV length.

Key takeaways

A CV is a document used to display your professional experience, educational achievements, and skills.
CVs should be easy to read and professionally designed, and most often written in reverse chronological format.
Impactful CV sections include a summary, work experience, education, and skills.
The ultimate goal is to create a document that answers the hiring manager’s question of “why should I consider hiring this person for my open job?”

Communication skills at work: examples to include on your CV

Schools & departments

How to write your CV

Advice on what to include in your CV and how to structure it

Watch our Quick Guide to CVs to get you started with the basics of writing an effective CV, including what employers are looking for, content, formatting and presentation.

Top tips: CVs

Here’s more detail on the key points.

How to tailor your CV

This means making it easy for the employer to see the link between what you have done, the skills you have developed, and their job description.

Think about everything you’ve done so far – work, study, positions of responsibility, and achievements – and ask yourself what skills you’ve developed, and what qualities you’ve demonstrated in each role. Research the job you’re applying for to make sure you know what qualifications, skills and experience they’re looking for. Then make the link between them - match the skills and experience required with the evidence of your suitability.

On Careers Service Plus you can find how to tailor your CV to the role (UoE login details required):

Tailor your CV to the role

What to include in your CV

Personal details

your name, address, email address, phone number and, if appropriate, links to your LinkedIn profile or blog

you don’t need to include your date or place of birth, gender or nationality

Personal profile

if you choose to include this, use it to summarise what you have to offer, and highlight why you are motivated towards a particular career

the best personal statements are focused, to-the point, and avoid generalisations such as 'I am hard-working'

if your personal statement doesn’t add anything to your CV, don’t include it

Education

details of your university, qualifications, relevant degree courses, major projects completed, dissertation, and degree classification

Employment and work experience

describe your responsibilities and skills used for each position

if appropriate, divide this section into relevant experience and additional work experience

Additional skills and interests

don't just list these - describe your involvement and emphasise your achievements -

- and keep them recent and relevant

if appropriate, divide these into two sections

How to structure your CV

CVs can be structured in different ways.

Chronological CV: this is the most used format and includes a detailed education and work experience section in reverse chronological order. It can highlight how you have progressed over time, so may not be suitable if you have changed jobs a lot or are looking at a career change.

Skills based CV: this uses the skills required for the job as its structure and gives evidence to demonstrate that you have these skills. This can be a good approach if you have lots of experience in one career area, and want to change careers, or if you’ve had lots of short-term jobs and want to summarise the skills you’ve developed.

Combination CV: a combination of the chronological CV and the skills-based CV. It lists education in reverse chronological order, followed by relevant skills gained from work experience and education. This works well when you want to highlight particular skills for a job.

Creative CV: most often used for jobs that focus on art, design, visual effects and technology (sometimes also advertising, media and publishing). Watch this recording as part of our March 2023 focus on Creative and Cultural Careers, to understand the differences between creative and traditional CVs and decide what works best for your job search:

#EdCreativeCareers: Focus on Creative CVs (24 minutes, University of Edinburgh login required)

On Careers Service Plus you can find some tips on how to structure your CV (UoE login details required):

Structuring your CV with sections

How long should your CV be

For the UK a two-page CV is standard (ideally using Arial 12pt font).

Increase the impact of your CV

Read this post from our Inform.Ed blog to find out how to make the content of your CV really work for you.

CVs with impact - talking about your achievements

In addition, this post from our Inform.Ed blog gives helpful tips about last-minute checks before you submit your CV.

6 CV checks before you hit the 'submit' button

Using generative AI to create your CV

Technologies such as ChatGPT can provide a reasonable basic structure for you to build upon, but what they give you is unlikely to be tailored convincingly and will be bland and generic, and unlikely to impress employers. Use them as a support and starting point if you like - but edit their product to make the end result your own.

Remember these points:

adapt the content generated, to make it more closely related to you -otherwise it will lack impact
be cautious about submitting any personal data, as whatever you put in could be in the public domain
you may be risking plagiarism, as these systems incorporate, in their output, content produced by other people without acknowledging or referencing them

The Bayes Centre has produced general guidance on using AI .

AI guidance for staff and students - Bayes Centre, University of Edinburgh

Getting feedback on your CV

After putting your CV through CV360 you can use your careers appointment to ask for feedback on your CV, or come to our drop-in for quick feedback.

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This article was published on 2024-05-14

How to Make a Resume in 2024 | Beginner's Guide

For most job-seekers, a good resume is what stands between a dream job and Choice D. Get your resume right, and you’ll be getting replies from every other company you apply to.

If your resume game is weak, though, you’ll end up sitting around for weeks, maybe even months, before you even get a single response.

So you’re probably wondering how you can write a resume that gets you an interview straight up.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

In this guide, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about how to make a resume, including:

The 8 Essential Steps to Writing a Resume
11+ Exclusive Resume Tips to Up Your Resume Game
27+ Real-Life Resume Examples for Different Professions

….and more!

So, let’s dive right in.

How to Make a Resume (The Right Way!)

Before we go into detail about how you should make a resume, here’s a summary of the most important steps and tips to keep in mind:

Choose a resume format carefully. In 99% of cases, we recommend the reverse-chronological format .
Add the right contact details. Leave your headshot out and make sure to include your job title , a professional email address, and any relevant links. (E.g.: your LinkedIn profile , online portfolio, personal website, etc.).
Write an impactful resume summary. Unless you’re an entry-level professional, always go for a resume summary. If you do it right, it’s your chance to get the hiring manager to go through the rest of your resume in detail.
Pay attention to your work experience section. Take your work experience section from OK-ish to exceptional by tailoring it to the job ad, making your achievements quantifiable, and using action verbs and power words.
Add the right skills for the job. Keep this section relevant by only including the hard and soft skills that are required for the position.
Keep your education short and to the point. Your most recent and highest degree is more than enough for a strong education section. You only need to add more details here if you’re a recent graduate with barely any work experience.
Leverage optional resume sections. Optional sections like languages, hobbies, certifications, independent projects, and others can set you apart from other candidates with similar skills and experience.
Include a cover letter. That’s right, cover letters matter in 2024, and the best way to supplement your resume is by adding an equally well-crafted cover letter to your job application. To make the most of it, check out our detailed guide on how to write a cover letter .

To get the most out of our tips, you can head over to the resume builder and start building your resume on the go as you read this guide.

New to resume-making? Give our ‘7 Resume Tips’ video a watch before diving into the article!

#1. Pick the Right Resume Format

Before you start filling in the contents of your resume, you have to make sure it’s going to look good.

After all, the first thing hiring managers notice is what your resume looks like, and then they start reading it. So, this is your best chance to make a great first impression.

Start by choosing the right resume format.

There are three types of resume formats out there:

Reverse-chronological. This is by far the most popular resume format worldwide and, as such, it’s the best format for most job-seekers.
Functional. This resume format focuses more on skills than work experience. It’s a good choice if you’re just getting started with your career and have little to no experience in the field.
Combination. The combination resume format is a great choice for experienced job-seekers with a very diverse skill set. It’s useful if you’re applying for a role that requires expertise in several different fields and you want to show all that in your resume.

So, which one should you go for?

In 99% of cases, you want to stick to the reverse-chronological resume format . It’s the most popular format and what hiring managers expect to see. So, in the rest of this guide, we’re going to focus on teaching you how to make a reverse-chronological resume.

Fix Your Resume’s Layout

With formatting out of the way, let’s talk about your resume’s layout , which determines the overall look of your resume.

Does it look organized or cluttered? Is it too short or too long? Is it boring and easy to ignore, or is it reader-friendly and attention-grabbing?

Here are some of the best practices you should apply:

Stick to one page. You should only go for a two-page resume if you have decades of experience and you’re sure the extra space will add significant value. Hiring managers in big companies get hundreds of applications per job opening. They’re not going to spend their valuable time reading your life story!
Add clear section headings. Pick a heading and use it for all the section headers so the hiring manager can easily navigate through your resume.
Adjust the margins. Without the right amount of white space, your resume will end up looking overcrowded with information. Set your margins to one inch on all sides so your text fits just right on the page.
Choose a professional font. We’d recommend sticking to a font that’s professional but not overused. For example, Ubuntu, Roboto, or Overpass. Avoid Times New Roman, and never use Comic Sans.
Set the correct font size. As a rule of thumb, go for 11-12 pt for normal text and 14-16 pt for section titles.
Use a PDF file. Always save your resume as a PDF file, unless the employer specifically requests otherwise. Word files are popular, but there’s a good chance they’ll mess up your resume’s formatting.

Another thing you need to consider in terms of your resume’s layout is whether you’re going for a traditional-looking resume template or something a bit more modern :

If you’re pursuing a career in a more traditional industry, like law , banking , or finance , you might want to stick to the first.

But if you’re applying to a tech company where imagination and innovation are valued, you can pick a more creative resume template .

Want to Save Time? Use a (Free) Resume Template

Anyone who’s ever tried creating a resume from scratch knows how boring the formatting can be.

Before you can even start filling in the contents, you need to tweak the margins, adjust font sizes, and make sure everything fits into one page while still looking good.

What if you could skip past all that and still create a compelling resume?

Try one of our free resume templates . They’re pre-formatted, so all you have to do is fill in the contents.

They’re also created in collaboration with recruiters from around the globe, ensuring that the templates are visually appealing and ATS-friendly!

See for yourself how one of our templates compares to a resume created in a standard text editor:

#2. Add Your Contact Information

Now that we’ve got all the formatting out of the way, let’s get into what your resume is all about— the information you put on it .

The first thing you want to do when filling out the contents of your resume is to add your contact information .

This section is pretty straightforward but crucial. Your contact details belong at the top of your resume in a designated resume header , so the hiring manager can easily find them.

Even if everything else about your resume is perfect, that all flops if you misspell your email address or have a typo in your phone number. If the hiring manager can’t contact you, it’s a missed opportunity.

So, double-check, and even triple-check your contact information section and make sure everything is factually correct and up-to-date.

Must-Have Information

Full name. Your first and last name should stand out at the top of your resume.
Email address. Stick to an address that’s professional and easy to spell, like a combination of your first and last name. (E.g.: [email protected])
Phone number. Add a reliable number where the hiring manager can easily reach you.
Location. Add your city and state/country. If you plan to relocate for the job or want a remote position, specify it on your resume.

Optional Information

Job title. Add your professional title underneath. Write it down word for word, whether it’s “Digital Marketing Specialist” or “Junior Data Scientist.” Just don’t make up job titles like “Marketing Wizzard” or “Data Manipulator.” They’re not quirky; they’re just unprofessional.
LinkedIn profile . We recommend that you include a link to your updated LinkedIn profile since over 77% of hiring managers use the platform when evaluating a candidate.
Relevant links. Include links to personal websites or any social media profiles that are relevant to your field. For example, a developer could include a Github profile, while a graphic designer could link their Behance or Driblle account, and so on.
Date of birth. Unless this is specifically required in the job ad, the hiring manager doesn’t need to know how old you are. It’s not important for their decision-making, and at worst, it might lead to age-based discrimination.
Unprofessional email address. Your quirky, old high school email address doesn’t belong on your resume. Instead of [email protected] , go for a [email protected] type of address.
Headshot. (USA, UK or Ireland) Depending on the country where you’re applying, it might even be illegal to include a picture of yourself on your resume . While it’s the norm to include a picture in most of Europe and Asia, always check the regulations for each specific country or industry you’re applying to.

All clear? Good! Now, let’s look at what a great example of a resume's contact information section looks like:

#3. Write a Resume Headline (Summary or Objective)

It's no secret that recruiters spend an average of less than seven seconds on a resume .

When you receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications daily, it's physically impossible to spend too much time on each.

So, what the hiring managers do to go through resumes more effectively is to skim through each resume and read it in depth only if it piques their interest.

This is where the resume headline comes in.

Placed right next to (or underneath) your contact information, this brief paragraph is the first thing the hiring manager is going to read on your resume.

Now, depending on how far along in your career you are, your resume headline can be either a resume summary or a resume objective.

So, how do you choose between a resume summary and a resume objective? Here’s all you need to know:

Resume Summary

A resume summary, as the name suggests, is a two to three-sentence summary of your career so far. If done right, it shows that you’re a qualified candidate at a glance and gets the hiring manager to give you a chance.

Here’s what your resume summary should include:

Your job title and years of experience.
A couple of your greatest professional achievements or core responsibilities.
Your most relevant skills for the job.

Here’s an example of a well-written resume summary:

Experienced Java Developer with 5 years of experience in building scalable and efficient applications. Contributed to a major project that enhanced application performance by 25%. Strong background in Spring Framework and microservices. Aiming to apply robust coding skills to develop innovative software solutions at XYZ Tech Solutions.

Unless you’re a recent graduate or amid a career change, we recommend you stick to a resume summary. Otherwise, a resume objective might be a better option for you.

Resume Objective

A resume objective is supposed to express your professional goals and aspirations, academic background, and any relevant skills you may have for the job.

It communicates your motivation for getting into a new field, so it’s the go-to headline for recent graduates and those going through a career change. As with a resume summary, a resume objective should be brief—around two to four sentences long.

So, here’s what it would look like if you’re a student:

Hard-working recent graduate with a B.A. in Graphic Design from New York State University seeking new opportunities. 3+ years of practical experience working with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, creating illustrations and UX/UI design projects. Looking to grow as a designer and perfect my art at XYZ Design Studio.

Or, on the other hand, if you’re going through a career change, it might look more like this:

IT project manager with 5+ years of experience in software development. Managed a team of developers to create products for several industries, such as FinTech and HR tech. Looking to leverage my experience in managing outsourced products as a Product Owner at Company XYZ.

#4. Prioritize Your Work Experience

The most important part of your resume is your work experience.

This is where you get to sell yourself and show off your previous accomplishments and responsibilities.

If you manage to master this section, you’ll know most of what’s there to know about how to make a resume.

There are plenty of good practices for writing your work experience . But before we dive into all the nits and grits, let's start with the basics.

The standard format for each work experience entry is as follows:

Job title/position. Your job title goes on top of each work experience entry. When the hiring manager looks at your resume, you want them to know, at a glance, that you have relevant work experience for the job.
Company name/location/description. Mention the name of the employer and the general location, such as the city and state/country where you worked. In some cases, you may also want to briefly describe the company, like when the organization isn’t particularly well-known.
Dates employed. Add the approximate timeframe of your employment at each company. You don’t need to give exact dates since the standard format for this is mm/yyyy.
Achievements and responsibilities. This is the core of each work experience entry. Depending on your field, you want to list either your achievements or responsibilities. List them in bullet points instead of paragraphs, so they’ll be easier to read.

Here’s a real-life example:

Your work experience entries should always be listed in reverse chronological order , starting with your most recent job and working your way back into the past.

Now that you know how to list your experience, we’re going to show you how to write about it in a way that makes you stand out from the competition, starting with:

Are you a student with no work experience? We’ve got you covered. Check out our guide to writing a resume with no experience here.

Focus on Achievements Whenever Possible

One of the most common resume mistakes is only listing responsibilities in your work experience section.

Here’s the thing—in most cases, the hiring manager knows exactly what your job responsibilities are.

For example, if you’re a sales manager, your responsibilities would be:

Reach out to potential clients over the phone or email.
Maintain relationships with existing company clients and upsell relevant products.
Tracking and reporting on leads in CRM.

Coincidentally, this is also the same list of responsibilities for every sales manager out there. So, 90% of all other resumes probably mention the same thing.

To stand out from the competition, you want to focus on writing achievements in your resume instead. These can be how you helped your previous company grow, reach quarterly quotas, and so on.

Let’s compare how responsibilities hold up next to achievements for the same job:

Exceeded sales team KPIs by 30%+ for 3 months straight.
Generated over $24,000 in sales in 1 month.
Generated leads through cold-calling
Managed existing company clients

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there just aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you’re a warehouse worker .

Your day-to-day responsibilities probably include:

Loading, unloading, and setting up equipment daily.
Packaging finished products and getting them ready for shipping.
Assisting in opening and closing the warehouse.

In fields like this, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself through achievements, so it’s okay to stick to responsibilities instead. You can still make them shine by following the rest of our advice about listing your work experience.

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you work in a warehouse. Your day-to-day responsibilities probably involve:

Loading, unloading and setting up equipment on a daily basis.
Package finished product and get it ready for shipping.
Assist in opening and closing the warehouse.

In such fields, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself, so it’s totally OK to stick to responsibilities instead.

Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Tailoring is what sets an amazing resume apart from an okay one.

Hiring managers don’t need to know about every single job you’ve ever worked at or every single skill that you have.

They only want to know about your jobs, experiences, or skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a job doing Google Ads, you don’t need to talk about your SEO internship from eight years ago.

By focusing your resume on whatever is important for the specific role, you’re a lot more likely to stand out and catch the hiring manager’s attention.

Let’s take a look at an example of a job ad:

As you can see, we’ve highlighted the most important requirements.

To tailor your resume accordingly, you just need to mention how you meet each of these requirements in your resume.

You can highlight your relevant achievements and qualifications in different parts of your resume, such as:

In your resume summary, where you should recap your years of experience.
Throughout your work experience section, where you should list achievements and responsibilities that reflect your social media marketing experience.
In your education section, where you can let the hiring manager know you have the degree that they’re looking for.

Include the Right Amount of Work Experience

If you’ve got over a decade’s worth of work experience, you’re probably wondering whether all of it belongs on your resume. In most cases, you’d end up writing a novel if you listed everything you’ve ever done, and that’s not how long a resume should be .

If you’re new to the job market, on the other hand, you probably don’t have any experience, and you’re wondering what you could even add to this section.

So, here’s how much information your resume should include, depending on your level of experience:

No experience. If you’re looking for your first job , you won’t have any work experience to fill this section with. So, you can either keep it empty and focus on all the other sections or fill it up with any experience gained in student organizations, extracurricular activities, volunteering, and other projects.
Entry-level. List all your work experience so far. While some of it won’t be relevant, it can still show the hiring manager that you do have some actual work experience.
Mid-level. Only mention relevant work experience to the position you’re applying for. There’s no need to waste space on jobs that aren’t related to what you’re after.
Senior-level. List up to 15 years of relevant work experience, tops. If your most recent experience is as a marketing executive , the hiring manager doesn’t care how you started your career as a junior marketing specialist 23 years ago.

Consider Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Software

Did you know that over 70% of resumes don’t even make it to the hiring manager ?

Most companies these days use ATS to evaluate hundreds of resumes instantaneously and automatically filter out the ones that don’t meet their criteria.

For example, if a resume doesn’t mention a specific skill or isn’t formatted correctly, the ATS will automatically reject it.

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to make an ATS-friendly resume .

Here are a couple of tips to help you get past those pesky robots:

Stick to one page. Sometimes employers set a limit on how long a resume should be. This means that if your resume is longer than one page, it might get automatically disqualified.
Incorporate keywords. Tailoring your resume to the job helps a ton with beating the ATS. Just carefully read the job description to find hints for what the ATS will be looking for. Then, whenever you find keywords related to your responsibilities and achievements, make sure to include them in your work experience section.
Use an active voice. Passive voice is too vague and unclear, so make sure to use active voice as much as possible when describing your previous jobs. (E.g.: “Managed a team of ten people,” instead of “ A team of ten people was managed by me.” )
Leverage powerful action words. Instead of starting each of your sentences with “was responsible for," make your work experience impactful by using words that can grab attention. Saying that you “spearheaded” or “facilitated” something sounds a lot more impressive than “helped.”

Want to make sure your resume formatting passes the ATS test? Choose one of our tried and tested ATS-friendly resume templates , and you’ll be good to go!

#5. List Your Education

The next section on your resume is dedicated to your academic qualifications. Let’s start with the basics!

Here’s how you should format the education section on your resume :

Program Name. Your major and degree type should be listed. (E.g.: “B.A. in Business Administration” )
University Name. Add the name of the institution. (E.g.: “New York State University” )
Dates Attended. Use a mm/yyyy format for the dates you attended. (E.g.: “08/2008 - 06/2012” )
Location. If your university is less well-known, you can also add the location. (E.g.: “Stockholm, Sweden” )
GPA. Use the appropriate grading system for the country you’re applying to work in. (E.g.: In the USA, it would be “3.9 GPA” )
Honors. Add any honors and distinctions you’ve been given. (E.g.: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude )
Achievements. You can mention interesting papers you’ve written, projects you’ve done, or relevant coursework you’ve excelled in.
Minor. “Minor in Psychology”

Pretty simple, right? Now let’s see what an education section looks like in practice:

This example includes all the necessary information, plus an eye-catching award and relevant classes this candidate has taken.

Resume Education Tips

Now that you know how to list your education on your resume, let’s take this section to the next level.

Just follow these expert tips:

If you’re making a resume as a student and don’t have any work experience yet, you can list your education section at the beginning of the page instead of work experience.
You can add your expected graduation date if you’re still pursuing your degree.
If you already have relevant work experience, just keep this section short and sweet. Recent graduates can expand on their education more and add optional information like projects, classes, academic achievements, etc.
Always list your degrees in reverse chronological order, starting with your highest degree on top. Your highest and most recent degree is usually enough, so if you have a Master’s degree that’s relevant to the job, there’s no need to mention your earlier degrees.
Don’t add your high school degree to your resume if you already have a university degree. It doesn’t have as much weight, and you can use the space for something else.
Only mention your GPA if you had an impressive academic career. Anything below a 3.5 GPA doesn’t need to be on your resume.

Are you in the process of applying for college? Check out our guide to writing a college application resume to wow that admissions officer!

#6. Emphasize Your Know-How in the Skills Section

After your work experience, your skills are the first thing the hiring manager is going to look for. In fact, together, work experience and skills make up 90% of the hiring decision .

So, this is the place where you want to mention all the know-how that makes you the perfect candidate for the job.

There are two types of skills you can include when writing your resume:

Hard Skills. These are measurable abilities. What you can list here can be anything from coding in Python to knowing how to cook Thai cuisine.
Soft Skills. Also known as personal skills, these are a mix of communication skills , personal traits, career attributes, and more. They can include leadership, critical thinking, and time management , just to name a few.

Your resume should always cover both hard skills and soft skills . Here’s an example in action:

Now, let’s discuss how you should list your most important skills on your resume.

There are a few essential steps you need to follow:

Always List Hard and Soft Skills Separately

Your resume should be easy and neat to navigate. The hiring manager shouldn’t have to waste time looking for a specific skill because you didn’t separate it into the appropriate subsection.

So, just create separate categories for your hard and soft skills.

Depending on your field, you could customize the name of your “hard skills” subsection to something like “technical skills," “marketing skills," or something else related to your field.

Let’s look at an example of what skills look like on a project manager’s resume :

Methodologies & Tools

Agile Methodology
SCRUM Framework
Waterfall Project Management
Microsoft Project
Critical Path Method (CPM)
Earned Value Management (EVM)
Risk Management

Soft Skills

Team Management
Conflict Resolution
Negotiation

Tailor Your Skills to the Job

You might have some awesome skills, but the hiring manager only needs to know about the ones that are relevant to the job.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as an accountant, your gourmet chef skills shouldn’t be on your resume.

Look at the job ad and list at least two to three essential skills you have that are required for the role. Remember—there’s no need to list every skill you have here; just keep it relevant.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Graphic Design or a related field.
Tech-savvy, with some background in CMS systems such as WordPress.
Thrives in a stressful environment and juggles multiple tasks and deadlines.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Self-reliant, with the ability to manage their own work.
A can-do attitude and an outside-the-box thinker.
Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages.
Basic understanding of Office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

So, the must-have hard skills here are Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages. Other good computer skills to have are WordPress or similar CMS systems.

While you can also mention Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, it’s pretty much assumed that you know how to use them since they’re required for most office jobs.

List Hard Skills with Experience Levels

For each hard skill you list on your resume, you should also mention your proficiency level. This tells employers what they can expect from you and how much training you might need.

Beginner. You have some experience with the skill, whether it’s from some entry-level practice or classroom education.
Intermediate. You’ve used the skill in a work environment with good understanding.
Advanced. You’re the go-to person for this skill in your office. You can coach other employees, and you understand the skill at a high level.
Expert. You’ve applied this skill to more than a handful of different projects and organizations. You’re the go-to person for advice about the skill, not just in your office but even amongst some of the best professionals in your field.

Just make sure to never lie about your actual skill level. Even if you get the job, once you need those skills you exaggerated, it will be pretty awkward for both you and your employer.

Include Transferable Skills

These are the types of skills that are useful for almost any job out there.

Transferable skills can be both soft skills (e.g.: teamwork, creativity, problem-solving skills, and others) and hard skills (MS Office Suite, HTML, writing, etc.)

Whatever job you’re applying to, chances are you have transferable skills from your experience that can come in handy one way or another. So, feel free to include them, even if they’re not specifically required for the position.

Not sure which skills to mention on your resume for your specific field? Check out our list of 101+ essential skills for inspiration!

#7. Leverage Optional Resume Sections

The sections we’ve covered so far are must-haves for any resume. They’re the bread-and-butter for any job application, and if you get them right, you’ll land any job you apply to.

But if you have some leftover space, there are a few optional sections you can choose from to give your resume a boost!

Are you bi-lingual? Or even better – multi-lingual? You should always mention that on your resume!

Even if the position doesn’t require you to know a specific language, it can still come in handy at some point. At the end of the day, it’s always better to know more languages than less.

To list languages in your resume , just write them down and assign them the appropriate level:

Intermediate

You can also use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) or the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scales.

As a given, you should never lie about your language skills. You never know—your interviewer might turn out to be fluent in the language or even be a native speaker!

Hobbies and Interests

If you want to spice up your resume, hobbies and interests could be just what you need.

While this section isn’t a game-changer, it can help the hiring manager see who you are as an individual.

For example, if you listed “teamwork” as one of your skills, hobbies like team sports can back up your claim.

And who knows? Maybe you and your interviewer have some hobbies or interests in common!

Volunteering Experience

If you’re the type of person who devotes their free time to helping others while expecting nothing in return, chances are that you’re the type of employee who’s in it for more than just the money.

Seeing volunteer experience on your resume tells hiring managers that you’re a loyal employee who’s after something meaningful.

Several studies show that listing your volunteer experience can boost your chances of getting hired, especially if you have little to no work experience.

Certifications

Hiring managers love candidates who invest in themselves, and that’s exactly what they see when you list certifications on your resume .

If you value continuous learning and strive to expand your skill set, that’s always a plus.

Certifications can also show employers how much expertise you have.

For example, if you’re a Microsoft Cloud Engineer and you specialize in Microsoft Technologies, you should definitely include all essential certifications on your resume, such as the Azure Solutions Architect Expert one.

Awards and Recognitions

There’s no harm in showing off a little on your resume. After all, you want to be a candidate that shines above the rest.

So, if you’ve received any awards or recognitions that make you stand out in your field, make sure to add them.

For example, if you’ve been recognized for your contributions to data science or received a hard-to-come-by scholarship , mention it in your resume. Just keep your entries here relevant to the field you’re applying to.

Publications

Whether you’re a freelance writer or a distinguished academic, publications are always impressive.

If you have any published works (online or in an academic journal), you can add them to your resume. Just make sure to include a link so the hiring manager knows where to check your work!

Are you looking for a career in academia? Check out our guide to writing the perfect academic CV to get started!

Working on side projects can show off your passion for your field. Whether they’re university class projects or part-time entrepreneurial endeavors, they’re relevant.

For example, if you worked on a mock software product as part of a university competition, it shows you went through every step of product creation, from ideation to creating a marketing strategy.

This project also shows off your organizational skills , and if you mention it in your resume, you stand a better chance of landing the job you had your sights set on.

But projects can also be personal, not academic. For example, you might manage an Etsy store where you sell hand-made arts and crafts to customers online. This is a great opportunity to highlight your creativity, management, and customer service skills .

Overall, hiring managers love employees who do cool work in their free time, so projects are always a great section to add to your resume.

Looking to kickstart your career? Check out our guide on how to get an internship for useful tips and real-life examples!

Extracurricular Activities

Every college freshman knows that extracurricular experience can make a difference in their application.

Especially if you don’t have a lot of experience outside of school, extracurricular activities are a great way to show potential employers your skills and give them insight into you as a person. Different clubs and after-school projects can help you gain real-life skills and considerably increase your chances of landing your first job after college.

For example, joining a student government organization can hone your leadership skills and teach you how to work as part of a team.

For example, if you’re part of a student government or public speaking club, these activities can help you hone your leadership and presentation skills.

11+ Expert Resume Tips

You’ve got the gist of how to make a resume. Now, it’s time to make it really stand out from the crowd!

Follow these exclusive resume tips to take your resume game to the next level:

Match the professional title underneath your name to the job title of the position you’re applying for. Hiring managers often hire for several roles at once, so giving them this cue about what role you’re after helps things go smoother.
Mention any promotions from your previous jobs. Use the work experience entries for them to focus on the achievements that helped you earn them.
Describe your achievements using Laszlo Bock’s formula : accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z . This way, your work experience can go the extra mile and show the hiring manager what you can bring to the table.
Always list your achievements and responsibilities in concise bullet points. This makes your resume more reader-friendly, and it’s more likely that the hiring manager will see your impressive achievements at a glance.
Don’t use personal pronouns like “I” or “me,” and don’t refer to yourself by name. Stick to a slightly altered third person, like “managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.” instead of “he managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.”
Name your resume sections correctly, or it might get rejected by the ATS. Swapping out quirky names like “career history” or “expertise” for “work experience” and "skills" makes it easier for the hiring manager to find what they’re looking for, too.
Prioritize important keywords instead of adding all of them. Make sure the relevant skills, qualifications, and experiences you add all make sense in context, too. Your goal is to get past the ATS and impress the hiring manager.
Focus on transferable skills if you don’t have a lot of relevant work experience. Any extracurricular activities or personal projects can help you stand out here.
Add a strategic pop of color to headings, bullet points, or key elements you want to highlight. It can help your resume stand out, but don’t overdo it—you want the information to be more impressive than the color palette.
Don’t include the line “references available upon request.” Hiring managers already know they can request a list of references from you, so there’s no need to waste valuable space on it.
Make sure your resume is optimized for mobile viewing. Most hiring managers use their mobile phones as often as desktop computers, so save your resume to a PDF file and make sure your formatting stays intact across any device.
Rename the resume file you plan to send so it includes your name and the name of the position you’re applying for. It’s a small detail that can turn into a crucial mistake if you forget it.
Read your resume out loud when you’re done. This is a great way to catch awkward phrases or spelling mistakes you might have missed otherwise.
Use a tool like DocSend to track your resume. You’ll get a notification any time someone opens your resume, and you can see how long they spend reading it.

FREE Resume Checklist

Are you already done with your resume? Let’s see how it holds up!

Go through our checklist for perfecting your resume and see where you stand!

If you missed some points, just go through your resume one more time and perfect it.

And if you ☑’d everything—congrats! You’ve learned all there is to know about writing a resume, and you’re good to go with your job search.

Need to write a CV instead of a resume? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to write a CV with dozens of examples!

9 Resume Templates for Different Industries

Looking to create an effective resume without dealing with the formatting hassle? Just choose one of the templates below.

#1. Traditional Resume Template

Good for traditional industries like finance, banking, law, and manufacturing.

#2. Modern Resume Template

Good for both contemporary and forward-looking industries, including entrepreneurship, medical technology, and engineering.

#3. Creative Resume Template

Good for creative industries, including entertainment, design, and architecture.

#4. Minimalistic Resume Template

Good for experienced professionals in basically any industry who want to let their achievements do the talking.

#5. IT Resume Template

Good for any IT-related profession like software development, cyber security, and DevOps engineering.

#6. Tech Resume Template

Good for the tech industry and everything it encompasses.

#7. College Resume Template

Good for college students and recent graduates alike.

#8. General Resume Template

Good for multiple industries, including HR, education, and customer service.

#9. Executive Resume Template

Good for senior professionals across different industries, including hospitality, marketing, and logistics.

17+ Resumes for Different Jobs

Knowing how to write a resume is one thing, but making a resume that stands out is something entirely different. Without inspiration, even top career experts might stumble on a roadblock or two.

Check out the following effective resume examples for specific jobs to get a better sense of what a good resume looks like:

#1. Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a nurse resume here.

#2. Data Scientist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a data scientist resume here.

#3. Business Analyst Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a business analyst resume here.

#4. Digital Marketing Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a digital marketing resume here.

#5. Software Engineer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a software engineer resume here.

#6. Construction Project Manager Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a construction project manager resume here.

#7. Customer Service Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a customer service resume here.

#8. High School Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a high school resume here.

#9. Student Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a student resume here.

#10. Server Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a server resume here.

#11. Actor Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an actor resume here.

#12. Web Developer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a web developer resume here.

#13. Engineering Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an engineering resume here.

#14. Computer Science Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a computer science resume here.

#15. Architect Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a data analyst resume here.

#17. Remote Job Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a remote job resume here.

#18. Sales Associate Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a sales associate resume here.

#19. Receptionist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist resume here.

Want to see more examples? Check out our compilation of 80+ resume examples for different fields .

Administrative Assistant Resume
Bartender Resume
DevOps Engineer Resume
Executive Assistant Resume
Flight Attendant Resume
Graphic Designer Resume
Paralegal Resume
Pharmacist Resume
Recruiter Resume
Supervisor Resume

Next Steps After Your Resume

Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about how to make a resume, it’s time to talk about the rest of your job application.

After all, your resume is only the first step in your job search. To land the job you deserve, you also need to write a captivating cover letter and ace that upcoming interview. Here’s how:

#1. How to Write a Convincing Cover Letter

The companion piece to every resume is the cover letter.

Most job-seekers flinch when they hear that they have to write a cover letter. What do you even mention in a cover letter, anyway? If you were good at writing cover letters, you’d be applying for a job as a writer !

In reality, though, writing a cover letter is very simple once you know its purpose.

Think of your cover letter as a direct message to the hiring manager. It’s your chance to briefly explain why you’re such an awesome fit for the position. And with a few cover letter tips to point you in the right direction, you’ll write the perfect cover letter for your job application.

Just follow this structure:

Add the contact details. Include the same contact information as on your resume, plus additional contact details for the hiring manager, including their name, job title, the company’s name, and location.
Introduce yourself. Start your cover letter by mentioning who you are, what your work experience is, and why you’re interested in the position. Mention a standout achievement or two, relevant skills, and what you’d like to do for the company you’re applying for.
Explain why you’d excel at the job. Find the requirements in the job ad that you meet, and elaborate on how you fulfill the most important ones. Research the company so you know what you like about it, and mention it in your cover letter. Make sure to convey your enthusiasm for the job and confidence that you’ll be a great fit for their team.
Wrap it up politely. Conclude your cover letter by recapping your key selling points and thanking the hiring manager for their time. Then add a call to action, such as “Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the provided phone number so that we can discuss my application in greater detail.” Then, add a closing line and follow it with your full name.

Sounds easy, right? Here’s a real-life example to drive the point home:

Do you need more help perfecting your cover letter? Learn what the most common cover letter mistakes are and check out cover letter examples for all professions here.

#2. How to Ace Your Next Interview

Once you’ve perfected both your resume and cover letter, there’s only one thing left.

It’s time for the final step—the dreaded job interview.

Whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert, you probably hate the interviewing process. No matter how experienced you are, it can be nerve-wracking. Sitting there while someone’s prodding into your past experiences and judging you isn’t fun.

But did you know that most interviewers ask the same questions?

That’s right—all you have to do is learn how to answer some of the most common interview questions, and you’ll be an interview away from landing your dream job!

Just check out our complete guide to the 35+ Job Interview Questions and Answers and learn how to ace your next interview.

FAQs on How to Make a Resume

Do you still have some questions about making a resume? Check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions below!

#1. What does a good resume look like in 2024?

For your resume to look good in 2024, make sure it’s organized and clean and isn’t longer than one page.

Be sure to include information that adds value to your application—leave out the focus on your relevant work experience and skills that you can back up, and list as many achievements as possible.

If you’re using a resume template, choose one based on your industry. Conservative industries like law, banking, and business require more traditional resume templates. But if you’re going for an industry like design, architecture, or marketing, you can go for a creative resume template .

Remote work is also big in 2024, so if that’s what you’re after, tailor your resume to match the job you want.

#2. How do you make a resume in Word?

The best way to create a resume in Word is to use a pre-designed Microsoft Word template. To access them, you should:

Open MS Word
Click “file” from the menu bar
Select “new”
Type “resume templates” in the search bar

That said, Word resume templates are generic, hard to personalize, and overall not very stylish.

Want a resume that looks good and is extremely easy to make? Check out resume templates to get started!

#3. How do I write a resume for my first job?

If you’re writing your first-ever resume for an entry-level position, the hiring manager won’t expect you to have any work experience.

However, you can make up for your lack of experience with your skills and academic achievements.

For example, you can take advantage of extracurricular activities, internships, volunteering experiences, and other non-professional experiences. You can use them to highlight the skills you’ve gained and what you’ve achieved so far.

So, your first job resume should have a resume objective, emphasize your education, and replace your work experience with any internships, volunteering, independent projects, or other experiences.

#4. How to make a resume on Google Docs?

You can make a resume on Google Docs by choosing one of their templates and filling it in on the go.

All you have to do is go to your Google Drive’s template gallery, choose your preferred template, fill in your information, and your Google Docs resume is ready to go!

That said, Google Docs templates aren’t the most user-friendly choice. You don’t have much flexibility with the layout and formatting isn’t that easy. For example, you tweak a section to the slightest, and the whole resume becomes a mess.

If you want an easier option, check out our resume builder !

#5. What kind of resume do employers prefer?

Typically, employers prefer one-page-long resumes that follow the reverse chronological format.

Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes every day, so they don't have the time to read three-page resumes. Try one of our one-page resume templates so you don’t go over the recommended resume length.

Meanwhile, the reverse-chronological format is the most popular because it draws attention to your most recent jobs and professional achievements, which is the #1 most important thing hiring managers look at when evaluating a resume.

#6. How many jobs should you put on your resume?

You should only include relevant job positions on your resume.

This means that your work experience section should be tailored to the job you are applying for. If you’ve worked five different jobs and they can all add value to your current application, then you should include all five.

If, on the other hand, you’re applying for, say, a customer service position and some of your past jobs don’t have anything to do with customer service, you should skip them.

#7. Should I put my address on my resume?

You can put your location (city, state, or country) on your resume, but you don’t need to put your entire physical address.

Putting a physical address on a resume was the norm back when companies would contact you via mail. In today’s world, everyone communicates via email, which is why adding a correct and professional email address to your contact information section is far more important than putting your physical address.

So, just include your location or-–if you’re a remote worker—specify you prefer to work remotely by writing “working remotely from [location].”

#8. What information should I leave out of my resume?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t include your birthday or your headshot on your resume. This norm varies from country to country but it applies to the USA, Canada, and UK.

If you have plenty of achievements to list under your work experience, then you can leave your basic work responsibilities out of your resume.

In your education section, you should only include your highest and most recent degree. So, if you hold a Ph.D., you can list that and your Master’s degree and leave your Bachelor’s degree and high school diploma out.

Finally, leave out any skills that aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying for.

#9. Is a resume a CV?

Depending on where you are, a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and a resume might be completely different things.

In most of the world, though, including Europe and Asia, they are used interchangeably for the same document. Both CVs and resumes are one to two pages long, and list skills and experiences relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Sometimes more detailed resumes that go over one page are referred to as CVs. These are typically only used by senior professionals, executives, CEOs, etc.

In the USA, however, a CV is a completely different document. Typically, CVs are detailed and comprehensive documents that highlight your entire academic and professional history. They’re often used for academic, scientific, or research positions, which is why this type of CV can also be referred to as an academic CV.

You can create your CV using one of our CV templates !

#10. Should I write my own resume?

Yes, you should always write your own resume.

Your resume is your opportunity to show the hiring manager your communication, writing, and presentation skills . Employers also evaluate you based on how effectively you can convey information about yourself, and there’s no one that can represent you better than yourself.

Writing your own resume lets you introduce yourself authentically. You have the best understanding of your skills and experiences, and you can personalize them to make your resume stand out.

And, as a bonus, the experience of writing your resume yourself can be reflective and insightful, so it might help you understand your professional journey and career goals better.

#11. Can a resume be two pages?

Generally, we strongly recommend that your resume stick to one page.

Hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes every day, and keeping your resume to one page increases the odds that they’ll see your qualifications faster.

In some cases, like when you have a lot of relevant experience, your resume can go over two pages. But this exception is reserved for senior professionals with over a decade of relevant experience and tons of skills and achievements that simply can’t fit on one page.

#12. Is a simple resume okay?

Absolutely, a simple resume is often more than okay—it's preferable.

Before your resume even gets to the hiring manager, a complicated layout could get it rejected by the applicant tracking system (ATS). A simple resume template can help get your application straight to the hiring manager.

A clean layout can also make sure that your resume is easily readable and looks professional. This can focus the hiring manager's attention on your work experience and skills without excessive clutter or flashy colors to distract them.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap!

If you’ve followed all of our advice until now, congrats! You’re probably an expert on how to make a resume.

To recap, let’s go through some of the most important lessons we’ve learned so far...

Use the right resume builder to make the process as smooth as possible. You don’t want to mess around with formatting for hours before even starting to work on your resume!
Focus on your achievements over responsibilities. This can help you stand out from all the other applicants, especially if you back your claims up with data.
Include all the must-have sections, like the resume summary, work experience, education, and skills. Then leverage optional sections if you have leftover space.
Tailor your resume for the job you’re applying for. Everything listed on your resume should be relevant to the specific job you’re applying for, and you should write a new resume for every new job application.
Take the time to perfect your cover letter. It’s just as important as your resume, so make sure you pay as much attention to it!

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CV and Cover Letter
Writing a Europass CV: how it...

Writing a Europass CV: how it differs from a standard CV

8 min read · Updated on September 12, 2024

Discover what a Europass CV is and how to write one

Have you ever wondered how to apply for a job in Europe? Meet the Europass CV – a universally recognised CV format used across all European countries (excluding the UK). It's designed to simplify the job application process across Europe with standardisation. But before deciding if the Europass CV format is right for you, read on to explore what it is, how it differs from a standard UK CV, and weigh its advantages and disadvantages.

What is a Europass CV?

A Europass CV is a standardised CV format developed by the European Union to simplify and streamline the European job application process. It was created to provide an internationally accepted CV format in Europe to aid job mobility across the region.

In short, a Europass CV format ensures your qualifications and experience are easily understood across European countries, regardless of where you apply.

The Europass CV is part of a broader initiative called Europass , which is a free set of online tools for managing and planning your career in Europe. You create a Europass profile online to record and update your skills, experiences, and qualifications in one location. Using this profile, you can then develop documents, like the Europass CV, to submit to prospective employers.

Who should use a Europass CV format?

If you're based in the UK and looking to pursue a role in Europe, a Europass CV could be a valuable tool.

Employers in France, Germany, and other EU countries are familiar with the Europass CV, so it can enhance your application by helping to bridge any potential gaps in understanding due to different educational or professional standards.

However, the Europass CV is not widely recognised in the UK, so you'll need to decide if it's the right choice for your application. While you can use the Europass CV builder to create a CV that resembles a UK format, we advise against sharing your Europass profile with prospective UK employers, as it's not standard practice here.

What's the difference between a standard CV & a Europass CV?

Here are the key differences between a standard CV in the UK and a Europass CV:


	Tailored to individual job requirements	Specifically designed for European mobility and consistency
	Domestic job applications and industry-specific roles	Jobs across Europe and multinational companies
	Flexible format and customisable to your needs	Limited formatting and layout options
	Can be tailored to specific roles or industries	Limited to 4 template options and 6 colours
	Typically written in one language	Easily created in multiple languages (currently supports 31 languages)
	Widely accepted in the UK	Recognised across Europe
	Entirely customisable and can be personalised with additional sections	Preset sections, with option to add custom sections (some fields can't be removed)
	Requires manual formatting and updates	Online tool simplifies creation and updates

How to write a Europass CV

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you write a Europass CV when applying for European jobs. You'll notice that it's a very similar process to writing a standard CV :

1. Access the Europass CV tool

Your Europass CV must be created via the Europass online CV tool . Head to the website, create a profile, and follow the prompts to populate the forms with your information.

2. Add your personal information

Enter your personal information, including your full name, address, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile URL . Europass will also allow you to include a headshot if you wish. Make sure your contact details are accurate so employers can respond!

Europass will also let you add your gender, date of birth, and nationality. It's up to you whether to include it. While we would advise omitting this information, in some European countries, it's standard practice to include details like this on your CV, so check before you send it.

3. List your work experience

As with a standard CV, your work experience comes next. Working in reverse chronological order, start with your most recent role. For each position, include your job title, company name, employment dates, and key achievements.

We recommend using bullet points to highlight your achievements to make this section easy to read. Strengthen each point with tangible facts and figures , and use action verbs to demonstrate your impact. Steer clear of generic CV phrases and cliches – focus on what truly sets your contributions apart.

4. Add your education and training

In this section, list your educational background in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent qualification. For each entry, include the institution's name, the qualification title, your grades or pass mark (if applicable), and the date it was awarded or the years of study.

Remember, your education and training aren't limited to formal schooling. Feel free to include any additional courses or training relevant to the job you're pursuing, as these can further demonstrate your qualifications and commitment to continuous learning.

5. Showcase your skills and competencies

Use this section to highlight relevant skills the prospective employer will value. The Europass CV is excellent for categorising skill sets into language skills , digital skills, and other relevant abilities.

Include your level of competence for each skill and consider including examples of how you have used these skills in the workplace like you would in a functional CV .

6. See if additional sections are needed

If adding more details about your personal or professional life would strengthen your application, you can include them. The Europass CV builder lets you add additional sections such as:

Conferences and seminars

Creative works

Driving Licence

Hobbies and interests

Honours and awards

Networks and memberships

Publications

Recommendations

Social and political activities

Volunteering

7. Review and finalise

Before you download and send your Europass CV, review everything! Proofread your CV to check for spelling and grammar errors, ensure all information is accurate, and make sure it looks professional and polished.

Advantages & disadvantages of using a Europass CV

As a UK professional, a Europass CV might not be the ideal format for job applications within the UK. However, if you're targeting opportunities in Europe and opting for a Europass CV, it's important to consider the following pros and cons before you commit:

Advantages of a Europass CV format

Here are the pros of using the Europass CV format:

Standardisation across Europe: The Europass CV is a standardised format recognised across Europe, making it easier for employers to evaluate and compare your qualifications

Multilingual options: Europass enables you to create your CV in 31 languages, which is a huge advantage if you're applying for a job where English isn't the primary language

Clarity and uniformity: The Europass CV's clear, structured format helps European employers quickly understand your qualifications, making your application more effective

Ease of use: The Europass CV online tool simplifies the process of writing and updating your CV as it guides you through what to include

Disadvantages of a Europass CV format

Here are the cons of using the Europass CV format:

Limited customisation: The standardised format of a Europass CV means it's difficult to tailor your CV to different roles or industries

Design restrictions: The Europass CV template is limited to four designs, six colours, and three font sizes, which limits your ability to include creative or personalised touches that could help you stand out

Wasted space: The format often leaves the right side of the page blank and big gaps between sections, which might mean you're struggling to keep your CV to two pages

PDF-only format: The Europass CV can only be saved and downloaded as a PDF from the CV builder section, limiting flexibility compared to the more widely preferred and editable Word file formats

What is the alternative to a Europass CV?

While the Europass CV offers a standardised and widely recognised format, it's not the best fit for UK employers and some European markets. Instead, a more tailored and visually engaging CV can better highlight your unique skills and fit for the role.

Consider these alternatives to the Europass CV:

Chronological CV: This type of CV focuses on your career progression in reverse chronological order, which helps employers easily track your recent roles and accomplishments

Functional CV: This type of CV centres on your skills and achievements rather than job titles and dates. It's ideal if you're changing careers or have gaps in your work history

Tailored professional CV: A CV customised to showcase your unique skills, experiences, and career goals can make a more substantial impact and help you stand out

A CV review and writing service like TopCV can be a great way to explore your options beyond the Europass CV. We not only help you create a professional CV that's not only aligned with industry standards but also tailored to your specific career goals. With expert guidance, you'll have a CV that stands out and increases your chances of securing interviews.

Explore our CV writing services and work with a professional CV writer to create a CV that best represents your professional journey and supports your career aspirations. Or submit your CV for a free review to see how it measures up.

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UK 🇬🇧 FORMAT RESUME
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UK Resume [Format, Tips & Templates for 2024]
UK Resume [Format, Tips & Templates for 2024] Top ↑ UK Resume Example Free UK Resume Templates UK Resume Specifics UK vs US Resume UK vs European Resume 9 Steps to Writing a UK Resume #1. Choose the Right Format #2. Take Care of the Layout #3. Contact Information #4. Add a Resume Summary or Objective #5.
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UK CV Tips and rules: CV, not Resume: The term 'CV' is most common in the United Kingdom. The terms 'resume' and 'curriculum vitae' are rarely used. Language: Be sure to write your CV in proper British English - for example, write 'labour' rather than 'labor' and 'optimise' rather than 'optimize'. Length: Your UK CV should not exceed two pages - "no longer than ...
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Employers get lots of CVs to look at and have to decide quickly who they're going to interview. When you write your CV, remember to: use a clear font like Arial, Times New Roman or Calibri in size 11 or bigger. always use the same style throughout. use headings and bullet points to make it easier to read.
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Personal information on a CV or resume. For a UK resume, you need to include just your normal contact information. Name, phone number, address, email, and optionally a LinkedIn or website link. Don't include any other personal information like race, gender, marital status, nationality, or religion. This is also true for a US resume.
How to Write a CV (Guide & Samples for the UK in 2021)
2.Professional Summary. Your professional summary follows your personal details and is a key CV section, as it is what recruiters and hiring managers will read first. Your professional summary should clearly reflect your candidate value proposition, i.e. the value you bring to the table in relation to your target jobs.
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To avoid any awkward moments, make sure these are clearly presented at the top of your CV. 'Curriculum Vitae' is an unnecessary title - your name is not. 2. Personal statement. As it's the first thing that's shown on your CV, a personal statement is an essential part of standing out from the crowd.
How to write a CV
When writing a CV, save space by only including 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.
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Here's how to make a good CV layout: Set the CV margins to 1 inch on all sides of the document. Pick a classic CV font, such as Calibri or Georgia. Make the font size 10-12 pt for the paragraphs and 13-14 pt for the headings. Use bullet points to arrange information efficiently.
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Here's how to make a UK CV's skills section: Return to the job advert and look for keywords referring to duties, skills, qualifications, and qualities. Jot down all the skills required for this position. Make a list of the skills you've mastered. Compare the two lists and pick 6-10 that match.
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While there is no 'one way' to write a CV, there are a couple of elements that most CVs always have: Length: no longer than two sides of A4 paper, typed (not including your cover letter). Font: keep it black, between size 10-12, and a common type such as Calibri, Arial or Times New Roman. Layout: simple and clear, using headings, formatting ...
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The resume format for the U.K. is not similar to that of most European countries.There are certain specific requirements for the UK resume that need to be known when creating a resume. In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know when you are making your UK resume, targeting how to write a UK cv with examples.
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When you write your employment history and education details, put your most recent achievements first. Keep your CV short, while still including sufficient detail. It sounds tricky, but it can be done. Academic CVs are usually at least 4-5 pages long, whereas CVs tailored to the private sector should be only 2.
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CV UK format examples. If you're searching for a job in the UK, it's important that you write your CV in UK format. Although CVs are largely the same across the globe, every region has style preferences that you need to adapt to if you want to get shortlisted for jobs. This guide, along with 6 example CVs will show you the preferred CV ...
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Here's how to write different resume types: Chronological This type is the most common, and it focuses on your academic and professional achievements. In this category, the academic and professional history come immediately after the contact information. If you have been in the same industry employment, this type is the best as it displays the ...
How to write a CV
Always write in the third person (avoid pronouns like "I"), don't ramble, and keep the focus on what really matters. The very first sentence of your CV summary should demonstrate an understanding of the demands of the role and show how your past proves you can surpass those expectations. That is where you hit hardest.
How to write your CV
Personal profile. if you choose to include this, use it to summarise what you have to offer, and highlight why you are motivated towards a particular career. the best personal statements are focused, to-the point, and avoid generalisations such as 'I am hard-working'. if your personal statement doesn't add anything to your CV, don't include it.
UK CV templates & British CV template free
Keep your UK CV to two A4 size pages at most. Use a British CV template in Word format to ensure your CV won't be discarded by the ATS software some companies use to filter applications. Then compare your CV to a British CV format sample to check for formatting issues.
How to Make a Resume in 2024
Set the correct font size. As a rule of thumb, go for 11-12 pt for normal text and 14-16 pt for section titles. Use a PDF file. Always save your resume as a PDF file, unless the employer specifically requests otherwise. Word files are popular, but there's a good chance they'll mess up your resume's formatting.
Writing a Europass CV: how it differs from a standard CV
How to write a Europass CV. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you write a Europass CV when applying for European jobs. You'll notice that it's a very similar process to writing a standard CV: 1. Access the Europass CV tool. Your Europass CV must be created via the Europass online CV tool. Head to the website, create a profile, and follow the ...
CV summary examples (And 5 steps for how to write one)
Related: Technical Skills: Definitions and Examples. 5. Mention a key professional achievement. Think about your most extraordinary professional achievements and consider mentioning them in your CV summary. Make sure they are official and measurable so you can prove actual results to the potential employer.
Product Design CV: Examples & Writing Guide for 2024
Write a professional CV summary if you've got at least one year of experience. Write an objective for a CV if you have little to no experience. And here's how to design a product designer CV summary. Use: One adjective (efficient, detail-oriented, reliable) Job Title (Product Designer) Years of experience (2+, 5+)
UK Banks and Building Society write to the Governor of the Bank of
We write on behalf of the 8 UK stress tested banks and building society and UK Finance. Together with the Bank of England we share the objective of ensuring the UK remains at the technological frontier of safe and resilient payments innovation, supporting openness, trade and growth.
How to write your degree on your CV
Here are some steps you can follow to add your degree to your CV correctly: 1. Use consistent formatting. Always format your CV consistently. Make sure you use one font size for the section headings and a smaller font for other text. The best font size for a CV is 10-12 for text and 14-16 for section headings.

United Kingdom CV Tips & Format Requirements

UK CV Requirements

How to Format a UK CV?

Reverse Chronological CV Format for UK

Functional CV Format for UK

Combination CV Format for UK

UK CV Examples

Retail UK CV Example

Professional British CV Example

Engineer UK CV Example

Marketing UK CV Example

Management UK CV Example

Accounting UK CV Example

UK CV Tips and rules:

UK CV Format, Order and Layout:

Other sections for your UK CV:

How do I Write a UK CV in 2024?

What is a UK CV Format?

How do I Write a Good UK CV?

What Font Should a CV be in the UK?

2024 UK CV Trends

How Many Pages a UK CV Should Be?

What Font Size Should my CV be in the UK?

Conclusion:

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How to write a CV

Why you need a CV

Tips for writing your CV

Information you need for your CV

Sections for your CV

Contact details

Introduction

Education history

Work history

Gaps in your work history

Short work history

Speak to an adviser if you need help

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How to write a CV

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What should I include in my CV?

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How do I write a good CV?

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How to write a CV

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Contact details

Introduction

Work experience

Other achievements, qualifications, and skills

Hobbies and interests

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UK CV Format 2024

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What do you include in a CV?

Personal Details

An idea for the personal details section

The best format for your profile

The perfect work experience example

The Best Template to Highlight your Skills

How to write the perfect education section

Interests or Achievements

The best template for interests or achievements

Should I include references?

The best template for a Teacher

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The best CV template for an Accountant