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CVs

Writing your CV can be a challenge – especially if you’ve never written one before. So, to instantly improve your applications, try reading our expert CV help. Covering everything from how to write a CV and what to include, right through to free CV templates and pointers for your personal statement, there’s something for everyone. No matter what stage of your career you’re in.

So whether you’re a school leaver creating your first CV from scratch, a recent graduate looking to find a full-time position, or you’ve been out of work for a while and want to refresh your CV – learn everything you need to know about CV writing now.

Free CV template

Writing your CV, but not sure where to start? Download our free CV template now and find out what recruiters really want in your application.

How to: Write a CV

Writing a CV can be stressful, especially if you’re starting from scratch. To help inspire you, here are our tips on how to write a CV.

Hobbies and interests: Should I include them in my CV?

Not sure whether you should include your hobbies on your CV? Not even sure you have any hobbies? Here’s our advice…

CV examples and samples

Writing your CV from scratch is never easy. To help you consider all the available options, here are some CV examples that might inspire you…

School leaver CV template

Looking for your first job after leaving school, but worried your lack of experience could harm your chances? Here’s our school leaver CV template.

Graduate CV template

Just graduated, but unsure how to demonstrate your skills and experience on your CV? Here’s our graduate CV template to help you get started:

CV help & tips

CV layout examples

Writing a CV is tough, but finding the right layout can be even harder. If you’re looking for something a little more unique, here are 13 creative CV layout examples:

Which parts of my education should I include in my CV?

Which parts of my education should I include in my CV?

Confused about which parts of your education you should include in your CV? Here’s our advice…

How to: Explain a gap in your CV

To help make sure your career break isn’t holding you back, here are a few tips on how to explain a gap in your CV – and examples to suit your situation.

Five CV skills employers look for in every jobseeker

We’ve already revealed five lines that are killing your CV, but here are five CV skills employers look for in every application (and our advice on how you can demonstrate them effectively):

CV layout: dos and don’ts

Even the best CV in the world can be let down by poor presentation. To help yours stand out, here’s our list of CV layout dos and don’ts…

How long should a CV be?

In today’s competitive job market, the length of your CV can be crucial in determining whether you get the job. Learn how to keep your CV short, and get straight to the point.

Five of the best hobbies to include in your CV

Are you making the most of your hobbies? Here’s how to effectively include hobbies in your CV, and some of the top activities you can use to stand out from the competition.

What words should I use on my CV?

It can be tempting to use the same phrases and adjectives when writing your CV. Learn how to say something different, and set yourself apart.

hobbies and interests cv art

Hobbies and interests: Should I include them in my CV?

Not sure whether you should include your hobbies on your CV? Not even sure you have any hobbies? Here’s our advice…

How to: Write a CV

Writing a CV can be stressful, especially if you’re starting from scratch. To help inspire you, here are our tips on how to write a CV.

Ask James Reed: how to write a stand-out CV webinar

Find out how to craft a winning CV and land the interview.

How to write a personal statement

Here are some of our top tips to consider when writing your personal statement – whether it’s for your CV, or to apply for a place at university.

CV templates

Skills based CV template

Not sure where to start? Luckily, you don’t need to spend hours reformatting your CV to create one – because we’ve put together a skills based CV template to help inspire you.

Career change CV template

Looking for a change of direction? Read our career change CV template to help you ace your application.

Career break CV template

Looking for a new job after a lengthy career break and not sure where to start? To help you increase your chances of success, we’ve put together our career break CV template:

Retail CV template

Shopping for a new career? To help you stand out in the world of retail, we’ve put together a retail CV template.

Part-time CV template

Looking for something flexible, but not sure your CV is up to scratch? Download our free part-time CV template now:

CV template for temp work

Want to start temping but not sure if your CV is up to it? To help you out, we’ve put together our own Temporary CV template:

Redundancy CV template

Are you looking to return to the workforce after a recent redundancy? To help you bounce back, we’ve put together a free redundancy CV template:

School leaver CV template

Looking for your first job after leaving school, but worried your lack of experience could harm your chances? Here’s our school leaver CV template.

Graduate CV template

Just graduated, but unsure how to demonstrate your skills and experience on your CV? Here’s our graduate CV template to help you get started:

Free CV template

Writing your CV, but not sure where to start? Download our free CV template now and find out what recruiters really want in your application.

Retail cover letter template

To help you secure your perfect retail job, here’s a cover letter template explaining what to include on your retail cover letter.

Five great retail skills for your CV

Looking for retail skills to help sell your suitability for the role? Here are just five that you should definitely be adding to your CV.

Personal statements

How to: Write a postgraduate personal statement

Not sure what to include in your application? To help get you started, here are some of our top tips on how to write your postgraduate personal statement:

Personal statements for university

Here’s everything you need to know about writing your personal statement for university, and a personal statement example to help you get started.

Personal statement: dos and don’ts

Not sure why your CV’s letting you down? It could be as simple as changing the first few sentences. Here’s our list of personal statement dos and don’ts.

Postgraduate personal statement example

We’ve already covered how to write your personal statement, but here are some postgraduate personal statement examples to help inspire you:

How to write a personal statement

Here are some of our top tips to consider when writing your personal statement – whether it’s for your CV, or to apply for a place at university.

Personal statement examples

Not sure if you’re going in the right direction with your personal statement? Here are some personal statement examples to inspire you:

Five personal qualities valued by employers

To make sure you’re highlighting your attributes as well as your skills, here are five personal qualities most valued by employers.

How to make your CV stand out during COVID-19

Want to make your CV stand out against the competition during COVID-19, and ensure recruiters remember your application? Here’s our advice.

Five organisational skills to add to your CV

To help you add value to your applications, here’s what you need to know about organisational skills (and how to include them in your CV).

Tailoring your CV: What you need to know

To help you understand the importance of tailoring your CV, here’s everything you need to know, and how you can use it to stand out.

Seven types of jobseeker: Which one are you?

Here are seven of the most common types of jobseeker, courtesy of James Reed’s best-selling book, The 7 Second CV: How to Land the Interview.

What to do when you have a long career history

Worried you have too much experience? To make sure you’re only sharing the most relevant information, here’s what to do when you have a long career history.

Other advice on: CVs

Four ways to follow-up after an application

82% of recruiters indicate that it reflects well on a candidate when they follow-up after an application. Not sure on the best way to get in touch? Here’s our advice:

Eight ways you’re selling yourself short in your job search

Can’t get the job you want? To make sure you’re showing recruiters what you can really do, here are eight ways you’re selling yourself short in your job search (and our advice on how to turn it around):