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5 Min Read | How To | Life Maze
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a document that outlines your skills, experience, and qualifications when applying for a job. A well-written CV helps employers quickly understand who you are and why you may be suitable for a role.
This guide explains how to write a clear, professional CV that works across most industries and experience levels.
While CV formats can vary slightly, most include the same core sections.
At the top of your CV, include:
Your full name
Phone number
Email address
Location (city or region is usually enough)
Avoid including unnecessary personal details such as age, marital status, or a full home address.
A personal profile is a short paragraph at the start of your CV summarising who you are professionally.
It should briefly mention:
Your current role or experience level
Key skills or strengths
The type of role you are seeking
Keep this section concise — usually no more than three or four lines.
List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role.
For each position, include:
Job title
Company name
Dates of employment
Key responsibilities and achievements
Use bullet points and focus on what you achieved rather than just listing duties where possible.
Include your education history, starting with the most recent qualification.
This section may include:
Degree or qualification
Institution name
Dates attended
Relevant subjects or grades (if applicable)
If you have significant work experience, this section can be kept brief.
The skills section highlights what you can bring to the role.
You may include:
Technical or job-specific skills
Software or tools you can use
Communication or organisational skills
Focus on skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Keep it clear and readable:
Use simple fonts, clear headings, and consistent spacing.
Limit length:
Most CVs are one to two pages long, depending on experience.
Use bullet points:
They make information easier to scan quickly.
Avoid long paragraphs:
Employers often skim CVs, so clarity matters.
A common mistake is using the same CV for every application.
Match your skills to the role:
Review the job description and adjust your CV to reflect relevant experience.
Use keywords carefully:
Many employers use software to scan CVs, so including role-specific terms can help.
Spelling and grammar errors
Including irrelevant work history
Using overly complex layouts
Being too vague about achievements
Providing false or exaggerated information
Always proofread your CV before sending it.
If you have little or no experience:
Focus on education, transferable skills, volunteering, internships, or personal projects.
If you have extensive experience:
Prioritise recent and relevant roles, and summarise older experience.
Before submitting your CV:
Check formatting on different devices
Ensure contact details are correct
Save the file using a professional name (e.g. FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf)