Looking for tips on writing the perfect CV? Find free CV tips, with explanations and examples, right here! Whichever stage of the process you’re at, you’ll get expert advice that improves your chances of success.
This page offers you a step-by-step guide on how to write a CV. After you’ve read each of the blogs on this page, you’ll be ready to send an application that truly impresses your next employer.
We start with a quick overview of what a good application looks like, before moving directly into the CV structure. You’ll find in-depth advice on how to write a Personal Statement and lay out your Employment History, with tips on using persuasive language. You’ll also learn which skills to put on your CV and the best ways to do this.
After this, we look at the things to avoid in a perfect CV. Using real CV examples, we’ll explain what to check for during your review and how to make the right changes. In today’s world of work, your digital profile can be the difference between a new job and continuing your job search, so we also explore how to elevate yours. Lastly, there are tips on crafting your CV cover letter to further help you tell your story.
Ready? Let’s start writing your CV!
Part 1: Understanding your CV
Before you begin writing a CV, you’ll need to determine what’s needed to impress the reader. Since you’ll be tailoring your generic (or template) CV for every role, it’s best to decide this now so that it saves you time in the long run.
In our first blog, we look at what your CV should tell the reader if you’re to be successful:
Part 2: Write your CV
Next, we move onto how to write a CV.
Whether your CV is being reviewed by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) tool or a human being, there’s an easy trick you can deploy to stand out as a more impressive candidate. This is something you should be taking advantage of throughout your CV. Our blog on this includes examples that every perfect CV needs:
CV structure
Then it’s time to move through the CV, from top to bottom. There’s no single correct CV layout, but there are certainly best practices you can employ to make sure you’ve got the perfect CV structure for you.
After your name and contact details, you should begin with your personal statement, which summarises who you are and what you want from your next career move. Our blog includes detailed examples of how to start your CV:
Next, your Employment History, which will comprise the majority of your CV. Your current or most recent role should be at the top, before working backwards. Your CV should tell a story of who you are – if some of your early positions aren’t relevant, it’s ok to omit these or put less focus on them. For each role, provide the:
- Company (and location)
- Bullet points with more details
It’s a common misconception that the Employment History section should simply list your past responsibilities. Our next blog looks at how you can showcase your achievements, with CV examples for different successes and roles:
After this, you should list your skills so that they’re easy to scan. Although your CV should include examples in your Employment History, it’s worth adding a clear, dedicated section, too. Beyond your technical skills (such as analytics tools or other software), our blog looks at which soft (or human) skills to put on your CV:
Beyond these four sections, your CV layout can vary. Some candidates early in their career might want to include their Education section before looking at Achievements. For others, listing any recent certifications or accomplishments might take precedence over their most recent formal education. A perfect CV will include both, regardless.
Adapt your CV to your career stage
Depending on where you are in your career, there are other ways to write a CV that can help your application. Otherwise, you’re ready to move onto Part 3.
If you’re at the start of your career, you might be concerned about whether you’ve developed enough experience or skills to make your CV stand out. If you don’t know what to put on your CV in this scenario, our blogs can guide you on what to do:
Alternatively, if you’re currently applying for a job following a redundancy, it’s important to be honest about the situation. At the same time, there are ways to do this so that you present yourself as a proactive candidate:
Part 3: Before applying
The above template will help you to write a comprehensive CV, but you’re not done yet.
Start with a thorough CV review. The first thing to look for are any overused cliches that will weaken the impact of your application, followed by the removal of common mistakes that further harm your chances of success:
Following your CV review, it’s time to make sure your digital profile is at its best. From optimising your LinkedIn account to creating a portfolio or website, we look at ways to enhance your employability:
Part 4: Apply for the job
You’re almost ready to submit your CV. Before you go ahead and hit ‘Send’, there are a couple more things to check off the list.
Should you be successful in your application, you’ll need to provide references. Instead of rushing to organise this when you’re about to sign the contract, it’s best to be proactive:
And what about a CV cover letter? Where possible, writing one page to accompany your application give you an extra opportunity to tell your story and expand on your unique selling points:
Keeping your CV up to date
When the time comes to update your CV, there are quick ways to do this without a full rewrite. Make sure you’re ready to respond to opportunities and apply quickly with these tips:
This list of blogs should provide you with the perfect CV template to help you land your dream job. By following each of these steps, you’ll be able to write a CV that ticks all the boxes and give you an advantage in your job search.
Good luck!
