How to Write a CV: A Complete Guide

A well-crafted CV can significantly increase the chances of getting noticed by recruiters or admissions officers. It should present information clearly, be tailored to the specific position or program, and highlight relevant achievements.

1. Start with Your Contact Information

Place your full name at the top, followed by your phone number, email address, and optionally your LinkedIn profile or personal website. Make sure this section is easy to find.

2. Write a Professional Summary or Objective

This brief section (2-3 sentences) provides an overview of your career goals and key strengths. Tailor it to the position or program, focusing on what you can offer.

3. Highlight Your Education

List your academic qualifications in reverse chronological order, including the name of the institution, degree earned, graduation date, and relevant coursework or honors if applicable. If you are applying for academic or research positions, include thesis/dissertation titles and supervisors.

4. Detail Your Work Experience

Include jobs, internships, or volunteer roles relevant to your career goals. List them in reverse chronological order. For each position, provide:

• Job title
• Employer’s name
• Dates of employment
• Key responsibilities and achievements (use bullet points and action verbs)

Quantify achievements when possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 20%”).

5. Showcase Relevant Skills

Include both hard skills (e.g., software proficiency, languages) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork). Be specific and honest.

6. Add Additional Sections

Depending on your background and the role, consider adding:

• Certifications and licenses
• Publications or presentations
• Awards and honors
• Professional memberships
• Extracurricular activities
• Projects or portfolios

7. Keep Formatting Clean and Clear

Use a professional font, consistent spacing, and bullet points for readability. Avoid excessive colors or graphics unless applying for creative roles. Keep the CV ideally to one or two pages.

8. Tailor the CV for Each Application

Adjust your CV to highlight the most relevant experiences and skills for each role or program. Use keywords from the job description or admission criteria.

9. Proofread and Edit

Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Ask a friend or mentor to review it.

Tips for a Strong CV

• Be concise and focused — avoid unnecessary details.
• Use strong action verbs like “managed,” “developed,” “led.”
• Quantify your achievements wherever possible.
• Highlight transferable skills for career changes.
• Include keywords to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Maintain honesty; don’t exaggerate qualifications.

By following these guidelines, a CV can become a powerful tool that effectively communicates qualifications and helps secure interviews or admission calls. A professional and targeted CV makes the critical first impression in today’s competitive academic and job markets.