Learning how to write a curriculum vitae is easy, and writing a great one can be the key to getting an interview.
But first thing’s first — what’s the difference between a CV vs resume? It’s simple: If you’re applying for a job in Europe, you should write a CV. If you’re applying for a job in the U.S., make a resume. Other than the name, they are exactly the same.
There’s one exception — certain professional fields in the U.S., like law and medicine, make a longer career document, also called a CV. If you are applying for an academic, scientific, legal or medical position, our guide on what is a CV goes into much more detail.
Okay, with that out of the way, let’s get down to business.
The 6 basic CV sections
As you get ready to write your CV, here’s how you should organize it:
How to write a CV in 7 easy steps
You’re here because you’re wondering how to write a CV for a job application.
Well, writing a CV is easy — as long as you follow a few simple instructions. We’ve outlined seven steps to show you how to write a curriculum vitae you can be proud of.
Choose a CV template
When you pick a CV template, you decide how your CV should be styled and organized. There are thousands of CV designs representing most career paths.
Whether you’re buttoned-down and professional or creative and fashionable, there are templates well-suited to your career. Here are four template types we offer:
- Professional – Perfect for traditional job titles like legal aid, nurse practitioner and financial planner.
- Creative – Great for showing off your personality in a field like graphic design, architecture or photography.
- Modern – An excellent choice for emphasizing your credentials in various industries.
- Simple – A bare-bones approach ideal for industries like construction and logistics.
Here are three designs from our template library that show stylistic diversity. Each one helps your CV-writing pop differently:
Modern
Creative
Professional
If you’re not ready to pick a design with us, Microsoft Word and Google Docs have templates you can use. However, we’re confident you’ll find ours easier to use and better equipped to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS). So, check back with us when you’re ready to see for yourself!
Add your contact information
Your contact info should always be in the header at the top of the CV — either at the left, right or center. The exact location depends on your CV template. Your header should include your:
- First and last nameYour name
- City and state
- Phone number
- Email address
Feel free to include your LinkedIn profile, a portfolio site or social media handles if you have any.
And here are a few things you should never include in a CV header:
- Zodiac sign
- Date of birth
- Unprofessional email address
Let’s see a couple of examples of how to write a CV header that does what it’s supposed to do.
CV header example 1
CV header example 2
Both use color and organization to grab attention, and they include all of the essential elements.
Write your CV’s summary statement
If a CV is the equivalent of a TV commercial, then the summary statement is your sales pitch. Excellent summaries, whether professional summaries or objective statements, communicate a candidate’s core qualifications in a few sentences. They are focused, concise and full of power words.
When you’re feeling lost, use the job listing as your guide. In the duties and requirements, you’ll find a description of the role. Highlight any skills that pop out at you. You should include these keywords in your summary statement, also known as a resume profile. Just make sure the skills accurately represent your experience.
Here are a few well-written CV summary examples to help you write your own.
CV summary statement example – social media specialist
Effective and well-rounded social media specialist with a strong eye for detail and understanding of web strategies seeking a social media role at ABC. Excellent copywriting, brand management and marketing expertise with dedication to production schedules. Great problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
CV summary statement example – nursing assistant
Energetic health care professional dedicated to providing top-quality, patient-centered care. Highly skilled at addressing acute and chronic conditions. Resourceful navigation of complex health care environments to optimize patient well-being. Seeking a nursing assistant role at Milner Clinic.
CV summary statement example – cook
Dedicated cook with 10+ years of experience in high-pressure environments. Focused and collaborative team player skillful in communicating and translating customer requests. Offers deep understanding of food safety, OSHA and health code requirements.
List your relevant work experience
Work experience is the focus of most CVs, but why? HR managers want to know, “what did you do in your previous jobs?” If you were successful in your previous roles, they’re more likely to think you’ll help their company succeed.
Before you write your CV, take an honest inventory of your work history. Write down your accomplishments and as many quantifiable achievements as you can. “X number of sales made” or “X number of customers served,” for example.
Let’s see what a perfectly written CV work history section looks like for roles in three industries.
CV work experience example – video producer
CV work experience example – civil engineer
CV work experience example – journalist
Craft your CV education section
Your education section may not involve much actual writing. Still, it’s critical to your CV’s success. Here is where you should focus intently on the formatting.
Check out these examples for how the education section should look at different levels of achievement.
CV education section example – high school
CV education section example – college
CV education section example – college, grad school + PhD
Add relevant skills for the role
Your skills section is an important, often overlooked part of a well-written CV. Skills show an employer you have the knowledge and abilities to do the job.
While this section doesn’t involve much writing, it requires thoughtful preparation. We always suggest reading the job description closely to see what skills the employer is looking for. Highlight the skills that apply to you, then find a way to work them into your CV.
Here are a couple of examples of a well-structured skills section.
CV skills section example – payroll specialist
CV skills section example – executive assistant
Include additional CV sections
There are more than a dozen sections you can add to your CV that might help you stand out. Here are five common additions:
- Certifications: Professional certificates you’ve earned through classes or tests.
- Awards: Notable awards or honors you’ve received for outstanding work.
- Languages: Any languages you know other than what’s expected. Include fluency level (e.g., novice, intermediate, expert).
- Publications: Relevant articles you’ve written that have been published in a journal, online publication or book.
- Hobbies and interests: Subjects of knowledge and enthusiasm related to your work.
CV optional section example – languages
CV optional section example – certifications
Great CV examples
If you’re still wondering how to write a CV, examples are a great resource. Not only do they show you how to write a CV, an example can also inspire you.
CV example for a job application
First, let’s review a CV example for a job application. The example below is for a standard CV you’d submit for a typical job.
CV example for grad school
Now, if you’re wondering how to write a CV for grad school, that’s a totally different matter. Grad school CVs are two or more pages long and include a more extensive history of the candidate. These CVs are more geared toward landing a job in an academic field like medicine or law. Optional sections include teaching experience, publications and conferences attended. Check out a visual example below.
5 tips for writing a standout CV
Before you finish writing your CV and send it out into the world, there are a few things you should keep in mind. As you craft your document, review the following tips to cover all the critical parts of a CV:
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Customize your CV for every job.
Hiring managers like applicants who research the company and understand its mission before they apply. It shows them that you’re serious about the job.
You can get the message across by customizing your CV for every job. Do this by reading the job description carefully, highlighting the relevant skills and ensuring you represent those on your CV. You can also reference the employer’s mission in your professional summary.
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Make it visually appealing.
Ultimately, CVs are marketing documents. Like a great ad, they have to grab someone’s attention before delivering the message. Your CV should be well-organized with thoughtful, consistent use of white space and fonts.
While you don’t want to go overboard, you can use color and design features to stand out from the crowd. Unless you’re a professional designer, we recommend using pre-made CV templates rather than try to make one yourself.
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Focus on measurable results.
Job duties convey information, but numbers tell a story. Your CV should always focus on the impact of your work.
For example, instead of writing, “Addressed customer needs on the sales floor,” you should write, “Welcomed 30+ customers per day, earning a 98% customer satisfaction rate over three years.”
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Be as specific as possible.
Talking about your career in broad generalities is fine when chatting with friends, but be specific when you’re trying to land a job.
Instead of writing that you “oversaw projects,” tell the hiring manager exactly which project you oversaw and how it contributed to the company. If you can be specific about your accomplishments while staying concise, you’ll have the edge over competitors.
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Proofread, proofread, proofread.
Never take proofreading for granted. We’ve heard too many stories of busy recruiters tossing a CV aside when they see one grammar error or spelling mistake. That’s why we suggest proofreading the document two or three times. If you can, consider printing it out. Words can read differently on paper.
You can also ask a friend, mentor or former colleague to review it before you apply for a job. Better safe than sorry!
5 common CV mistakes to avoid
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Writing a generic CV
Every CV you write should be customized for the job. When you turn in a generic CV, the HR manager can tell you didn’t read the job listing. Worse yet, you could get screened out by the employer’s applicant tracking system (ATS) for not using the right keywords.
How do you avoid being generic? Read the job description closely and make sure your content captures the skills and qualifications needed for the role.
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Focusing on job duties rather than achievements
Another common mistake people make on CVs is focusing on job duties. The bullet points in your work experience section should show your work’s impact on the company, whether you generate more sales, revenue or positive reviews.
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Including irrelevant information
While it’s great that you managed to pull in extra money with a side hustle, your next employer may be less enthusiastic.
Always ask yourself, “Is this addition to my CV relevant to the job I want?” For example, if you work as a bank teller and want to climb to a higher position, you can leave your gig work driving for Uber off the CV.
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Failing to focus on the employer’s needs
Employers want to hire people who will help them pursue their mission and meet their goals. Before writing your CV, read and understand the employer’s mission statement and ensure the document addresses it. The professional summary is a good place to do so.
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Using an unprofessional email address
One final mistake applicants make on their CV: a lack of professionalism. Never use an old email address like “xStoneColdx@example.com.” Instead of showcasing your unique personality, personal addresses undermine your credibility as a candidate.
CV writing: Final checklist
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Check to ensure you have all six critical CV sections.
These include your contact info in the header, a professional summary or objective, a skills section, work experience and education.
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Consider whether you’ve chosen the right template for the position.
A plain template will get the job done if you work in a buttoned-down industry. If you are in a creative field, you can explore a bolder option.
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Double-check your formatting.
Did you choose a professional font? Is your line spacing consistent? Are your headers the same font size? Thoroughly review your formatting one last time.
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Ensure your summary is relevant to the role.
Your CV summary should always be enthusiastic and specific. That means focusing on the skills and abilities the employer cares about.
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Review your work experience for quantifiable achievements.
The bullet points in your work history should do more than list job duties — they should show impact. Use concrete numbers as much as possible.
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Compare the job description to your skills section.
Check out the responsibilities the employer included in the job description. You can bet they are using those keywords in their screening software.
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Proofread your CV — at least twice.
Spelling and grammar mistakes are one of the main reasons CVs get rejected. Proofread your CV multiple times, then have a trusted friend do it.
How to write a CV using our builder
Our CV maker takes the pain out of creating a well-written, custom CV — and it’ll be done in minutes. The builder takes the hard work out of making a CV so you can put your full attention toward your job search. And that’s where you’ll have the advantage: our builder tools have helped more than 1 million job seekers land interviews.
Simply follow these steps to make a beautiful CV:
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Select a template.
Choose from dozens of CV designs ranging from colorful and creative to simple and professional.
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Tell us about yourself.
Add your contact information and desired job title to start getting job-specific suggested wording.
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Get section-by-section advice.
Our builder walks you from section to section, giving you suggestions and expert advice every step of the way.
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Let us check your work.
With tools that check for spelling mistakes and resume quality, you can rest easy knowing you will be turning in a pristine document.
When you’re finished, download the file in whichever format you’d like, including PDF and Word.
Pair your CV with a cover letter
Okay, you know how to write a CV — but what’s next?
It’s time to write a cover letter. Submitting a cover letter with your CV can help you stand out. We recommend choosing a cover letter template that is identical to your CV design or at least closely matches it.
Check out our Cover Letter Builder if you are unsure of what to write. The auto-generated wording is a great way to get over the blank page.
FAQ on how to write a CV
The answer depends on whether you are looking for work in Europe or the U.S.
In the U.S., CVs and resumes are different. A resume is a one to two page document used to apply for most types of jobs. The resume is laid out in five sections — header, summary, work experience, skills and education. CVs are often more than two pages, and they are used in fields like law, medicine, academia and science. The biggest difference is that CVs are more comprehensive, adding sections for the applicant’s teaching experience, research projects, publications and awards.
In Europe, CVs are the same as resumes in the U.S. They are one- to two-page documents used in most career fields. When applying for work in Europe, you should write a CV, which is the same as a resume.
If you want to write a perfect resume, we also offer plenty of resume guides and services. Browse our resume templates to find a fitting design, check out our resume examples for inspiration, format your resume correctly, and when you’re ready, you can use our Resume Builder to put it all together.
Most employers prefer the reverse-chronological CV format. This format puts work experience at the center of your job application. Recruiters and HR managers love to see an applicant’s work history at a glance, making it easy to tell whether they’d be good for the role.
You can write a CV for the first time by following these steps:
- Choose a suitable CV format. While the chronological format is perfect for most job seekers, a functional or combination CV may be a better choice for someone just starting out.
- Make a detailed outline of everything you’d like to include on the CV, from work experience to professional associations.
- Write a compelling three- to four-sentence personal statement to grab the reader’s attention.
- List your work experience beginning with your most recent job. Write three to four bullet points highlighting your achievements in each position.
- Include volunteer experience and special projects. Expand on this section if you don’t have much work experience.
- Create a list of key hard and soft skills relevant to the job. Insert skills you notice in the job listing.
- Mention your educational achievements, starting with the most recent degree or certification.
- Consider adding a line that says references available upon request. Having good references is extra important early in your career.
That depends. If you are writing a CV in Europe, it should be no longer than two pages. Someone with five to 10 years of experience should be OK with a one-page CV. Someone with more than 10 years of experience may benefit from a second page.
CVs in the U.S. are much longer. They are written for jobs in academic, medical, legal and scientific fields and include many additional sections, like publications and conference attendance. These CVs don’t have a length limit and often run for three or four pages.
Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.