The following steps outline how to make a CV:

• Pick a CV example that matches your industry and job title.

• Follow our tips for how to write a CV.

• Choose a CV template appropriate for your industry and goals.

• Use our CV Maker to create your custom CV.

• Download your file, save it and send it along with a cover letter.

Yes, these are among the best CV examples for 2023. How do we know? Our CVs are produced by experts and reviewed by Certified Professional Resume Writers (CPRW) before we post them on the site. The reviewers are knowledgeable in CV best practices, and when necessary, they conduct in-depth subject area research to ensure the examples are accurate.

Finally, our samples are written in professional resume designs approved by recruiters and use a chronological format, emphasizing work history. This format is among the most popular resume formats in the market and is preferred by many employers.

Yes! Resume Now’s CVs are created by experts who know applicant tracking systems (ATS) pick CVs based on keywords and that they can only read CVs designed and formatted according to specific requirements. That’s why our CV examples and templates use standard fonts, margins and colors and incorporate clean layouts that are easy for ATS to scan.

Yes, you can add hobbies and interests cautiously. Only add hobbies and interests that are relevant to the job. For example, if you’re applying for a job at a hospital, you can mention that you teach yoga classes in the park every weekend. On the other hand, there’s no reason to mention that you’re an avid stamp collector. Including irrelevant interests might make you appear unprofessional.

While CVs are longer and more detailed than resumes, you don’t want to tell your life story. Here are a handful of items you should leave off your CV in most cases:

• Age

• Birth place

• Religious affiliations

• Sexual orientation

• Ethnic identity

• Weight and height

• Marital status

• Irrelevant hobbies

• Unprofessional email address

Ultimately, you want to keep your CV focused on professional accomplishments. Including unnecessary personal details could be a distraction.

Here’s how to write a good CV step by step:

• Choose a professional template appropriate for your industry.

• Add your contact info in the header (name, phone number and email address).

• List your entire academic history, from high school to postdoctoral. Mention degrees you earned, fields of study and relevant coursework.

• Create a three- to four-sentence summary that encapsulates your career.

• Recount your professional experience, beginning with your most recent job and working backward. Highlight quantifiable achievements in bullet points under each job.

• Showcase your most relevant qualifications and skills, including technical skills, computer skills and soft skills (like communication and leadership).

• Devote a section to honors and awards. Include the award name, the year you received it and the organization that awarded it to you.

• Touch on key publications and presentations you’ve delivered that are relevant to your field.

• Complete your CV with additional sections depending on your industry. Possible additions are certifications, grants/scholarships, volunteer work, foreign languages and professional memberships.

• Make sure to proofread your CV before you submit it.

The most common CV format is reverse-chronological, which begins with your most recent experience and works backward. Since CVs are primarily used in academic career fields, a proper format will lead with academic history, starting with the most recent degree.

If you are looking for formatting tips — spacing, font size and more — you’ll find solid advice in our resume formatting guide.

Yes. Getting a CV done professionally is worth it if you have the money.

There are many reasons to hire a professional. First, writers have honed their craft for years, making them better prepared to create compelling copy that’s grammatically flawless. Second, CV writers know how to craft a CV that will pass through an employer’s applicant tracking system (ATS), which is designed to screen out unqualified applicants.

Finally, thanks to their experience, CV writers know what works, whether crafting bullet points to highlight measurable achievements or the proper way to format a list of publications.

Employers in the U.S. don’t have a strict rule on how long CVs should be. While two or three pages is the average length, it’s not uncommon to get a CV that’s four or five pages long.

Resumes are typically shorter. A well-written resume will run for one or two pages. That’s why it’s important to be concise in every section of your resume, including the summary, objective statement, work history and professional skills. Using a resume builder can help you tighten the language and cut your resume to the ideal length.

Whether or not you include a photo depends on where the employer is located. In the U.S., we advise against including a photo unless you apply for a position in a creative industry where headshots are common (e.g., theater).

Throughout much of Europe, however, including a photo with your CV is common practice. Ultimately, you should do whatever is the norm in your employer’s country.

Yes! Always write a cover letter to complement your application, no matter how detailed your CV is. It is a great way to introduce yourself to a prospective employer and express your personality. Moreover, a cover letter can help you stand out from the competition because it allows you to convey your enthusiasm for the job and tell the hiring manager why you want to work for them.

We recommend using a professional cover letter template, ideally with the same design you used for your CV. You can find templates in a cover letter builder, which will also provide job-specific language to get you started. If you’re feeling stuck, browse our library of cover letter examples for inspiration.