Image: Person writing a CV at a desk — replace with actual photo
What to Include in Your CV
1. Contact Details
Put these at the top of your CV:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- Home address
- LinkedIn or online portfolio (if you have one)
Top Tips
- Avoid old or unprofessional email addresses
- Double check your phone number and email are correct
2. Personal Statement
Keep this short — around 2–3 lines. Include your experience, your strengths, and the type of work you enjoy.
Examples:
- "Experienced accountant with a strong background in audits and financial systems."
- "Hard-working carpentry apprentice with residential and commercial experience."
3. Career Objective
Explain what role you are looking for.
Examples:
- "Looking to step into a management role after two years as assistant manager."
- "Recent graduate looking to start a professional career."
Image: CV sections diagram or before/after example — replace with actual photo
4. Work Experience
List your jobs starting with the most recent. For each role include:
- Company name
- Job title
- Dates worked
- Main responsibilities
Use bullet points, keep descriptions short, and focus on achievements and responsibilities.
No experience? You can include:
- Volunteer work
- Internships
- School projects
5. Qualifications & Education
List qualifications from newest to oldest. Include the qualification name, institution, dates completed, and grades or certificates.
6. Referees
You can either list referees, or write "References available upon request". Good referees include previous managers, employers, or tutors.
Always ask them first before adding them.
What NOT to Include
Let your experience do the talking.
CV Formatting Tips
Keep It Short
1–2 pages is ideal. Most employers skim read, so if yours is too long it gets overlooked.
Easy-to-Read Fonts
Stick to Arial, Tahoma, or Times New Roman for a clean, professional look.
Use Bullet Points
Makes your CV easier to skim quickly. Bullet points beat long paragraphs every time.
Save as PDF
PDFs look cleaner and keep your formatting correct across all devices.
Naming Your CV File
Good examples:
- John-Smith-CV.pdf
- Sarah-Jones-Marketing-CV.pdf
Avoid:
- CV.doc
- CV7.doc
Final Checklist Before Sending
- Check spelling
- Check grammar
- Make sure contact details are correct
- Ask someone else to read it
- Save as PDF
Quick CV Formula
Your CV should include:
Simple. Clear. Easy to read. That's what employers want. Don't assume a bigger CV is a better CV — in most cases, less is more.
Next step: Write your cover letter
Your cover letter is where your personality shines. Read our practical guide.