Not sure what to do on your CV? We can help with that…
A CV is an essential part of any job search, not to mention a great way to put all of your skills, experience, and qualifications in one place. In fact, a well written CV could be the difference between getting an interview and not being considered for the role.
To help you understand what they’re all about, and make yours work harder for you, here are a few things you should know about CVs:
Key takeaways from this article
- It stands for ‘course of life’: A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a summary of your education, skills, and work history.
- Structure matters: Standard sections include contact details, a personal statement, work experience, education, and skills.
- Two pages is the sweet spot: Keep it concise. Recruiters spend seconds scanning, not reading.
- ATS friendly is a must: Modern CVs need to get past robot gatekeepers (Applicant Tracking Systems) before human eyes see them.
- Tailoring is key: A generic CV rarely wins. Adapt your document for every single application.
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What is a CV?
CV stands for Curriculum Vitae, which is Latin for ‘course of life’. While that sounds incredibly dramatic and philosophical, in the recruitment world, it’s a lot more practical. A CV is a written overview of your skills, education, and work experience.
It is a living document that evolves as you do. It’s not just a list of everything you’ve ever done (no one needs to know about your paper round in 2015 unless it’s highly relevant); it’s a curated highlight reel designed to prove you have the skills for a specific job.
You might also hear the term ‘résumé’. Generally speaking, these are the same thing. Résumé is the preferred term in the US, while the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand stick to CV. However, a US résumé is typically strictly one page, whereas a British CV usually spans two.
What to include in a CV
While there is no strict legal requirement for what goes into a CV, there is a standard expectation. Here are the essential building blocks you need to cover:
Contact details
Keep this brief. Your name, phone number, email address, and location (town/city is fine, you don’t need your full postcode) are essential. You might also include a link to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio if it’s up to date.
A personal statement
This is your elevator pitch. It sits at the top of the page and summarises who you are, what you can offer, and what you’re looking for.
Work experience
This section should list your previous roles in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Include your job title, the company name, dates of employment, and key responsibilities. Crucially, focus on achievements. Don’t just say what you did; say how well you did it.
Education and qualifications
Again, reverse chronological order applies here. If you have a degree, list that first. If you’re a school leaver, your GCSEs or A-Levels will be more prominent. For experienced hires, this section can be shorter.
Relevant key skills
This is a great place to list specific software proficiency (like Adobe Suite or Python) or soft skills (like communication or leadership). It’s also great for keywords – more on that later.
Hobbies and interests
This is optional. Only include hobbies and interests if they add value or show character traits relevant to the job. Being captain of a sports team shows leadership; watching Netflix does not.
References
You usually don’t need to list full names and addresses here. ‘References available on request’ is perfectly acceptable and saves valuable space.
Eight ways to make your CV stand out
What does a good CV look like?
A good CV isn’t just about the words on the page – it’s about how easy those words are to digest.
Recruiters often scan a CV in under 10 seconds. If your document is a wall of text written in size 10 font with zero white space, it’s going in the ‘no’ pile. A good CV looks professional, clean, and inviting.
Tailored content
The biggest mistake jobseekers make is sending the same generic CV to 50 different employers. A good CV is tailored. You should tweak your personal statement and the bullet points in your work history to match the specific job description. If they ask for ‘project management’, make sure those exact words appear in your CV.
Evidence-based
Don’t just claim to be a ‘hard worker’. Prove it. Use numbers and stats where possible. Did you increase sales by 20%? Did you manage a budget of £50k? Did you lead a team of 10? Tangible results always beat vague adjectives.
Error-free
This sounds obvious, but spelling mistakes are killer. They scream ‘lack of attention to detail’. Proofread it, then proofread it again. Then get your mum/partner/cat to check it.
Top CV mistakes to avoid (and what to do instead)
What is the best format for a CV?
The layout of your CV says a lot about your organisational skills. Here are a few of the most popular CV formats to choose from:
The chronological CV
This is the gold standard. It lists your work history starting from the most recent job and working backwards. It’s the format most recruiters prefer because it’s easy to read and clearly shows your career progression. If you have a consistent work history in the same industry, stick to this CV format.
The skills-based (functional) CV
If you’re a career changer, have gaps in your employment history, or are a fresh graduate with little experience, a skills-based CV might work better. This format focuses on your transferable skills rather than a timeline of employers.
The graduate CV
A graduate CV places your education at the forefront – allowing you to focus on key details such as relevant modules, projects, or research. It also showcases abilities gained through university, extracurricular activities, internships, or volunteering, along with part-time jobs or placements.
Formatting rules for your CV
Regardless of the type you choose, stick to these design principles:
- Font: Choose something professional and easy to read like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica. Avoid Comic Sans unless you are applying to be a clown (and even then, think twice).
- Headings: Use bold, larger text for headings to break up sections.
- Bullet points: Use them liberally. They make information easier to scan.
- File type: Always save as a PDF unless the job advert specifically asks for a Word document. PDFs lock your formatting in place so it doesn’t look like a jigsaw puzzle when opened on a different computer.
Need a head start? Download our free CV templates to ensure you’re hitting the right formatting notes every time.
How long should a CV be?
This is the age-old question. Is more better?
The short answer is no. For the vast majority of professionals in the UK, two A4 pages is the standard.
- One page: Great for school leavers or recent graduates with minimal experience.
- Two pages: The standard for most professionals. Enough space to sell yourself without boring the reader.
- Three+ pages: Generally avoided unless you are a senior executive with a decades-long career, or you are writing an academic CV listing publications.
Remember, quality over quantity. If you’re struggling to cut it down, ask yourself: ‘Does this bullet point help me get this specific job?’ If the answer is no, hit delete. It should be long enough to cover the essentials, and short enough to keep them interested.
What is an ATS friendly CV?
We’re living in the future, which means a robot might read your CV before a human does.
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers to filter applications. It scans your CV for keywords, dates, and titles to see if you match the job description. If your CV isn’t ‘ATS friendly’, you might get rejected automatically, even if you’re the perfect candidate.
How to beat the bots
- Keywords are king: Look at the job description. If they ask for ‘SEO’, ‘Copywriting’, and ‘Stakeholder Management’, ensure those exact phrases are in your CV.
- Keep it simple: ATS software struggles with complex layouts. Avoid tables, text boxes, columns, graphics, and images. They might look pretty to you, but they look like jibberish to a computer.
- Standard headings: Stick to ‘Work Experience’ and ‘Education’. Don’t get too creative with headings like ‘Professional Journey’ or ‘Knowledge Acquisition’, as the bot might not recognise them.
The best words to use in a CV (and the ones to avoid)
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question about your curriculum vitae? We’ve got you covered.
Do I need to include a photo on my CV?
In the UK? Generally, no. Unless you are applying for an acting or modelling job, a photo is unnecessary and can actually lead to discrimination issues. Use that space for more skills instead.
Should I put my full address?
Nope. In the age of remote work and data privacy, your town and county (e.g., ‘Bristol, UK’) is sufficient. They don’t need to know your house number until they offer you a contract.
How far back should my employment history go?
A good rule of thumb is the last 10-15 years. If you had a job in 1998 that isn’t relevant to your career now, you can summarise it or leave it off entirely.
What if I have a gap in my CV?
Don’t panic. Gaps happen – whether for travel, redundancy, or health. Be honest about it. You can briefly explain it in your personal statement or cover letter. Often, skills learned during a gap (like resilience or adaptability) are just as valuable.
Final thoughts
Writing a CV might feel daunting, but it’s really just an exercise in confidence. It’s about taking stock of everything you’ve achieved and presenting it in a way that makes an employer sit up and take notice.
Remember, your CV doesn’t have to be a masterpiece of literature. It just needs to be clear, relevant, and unmistakably you. So, grab a coffee, open up a template, and start building a CV that’ll get you the job you love.
You’ve got this.
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