How to Write a CV: The Ultimate Guide

How to Write a CV for a Job Application: 7 Steps

To write a CV for a job application, you need a clear, structured document that presents your full professional and academic history while highlighting your most relevant experience.

These seven basic steps will show you how to write a CV for job application success:

Choose a CV Template

Choose a CV template with a clean, professional layout that organizes your information clearly. The right template should highlight your strengths, be easy to read, and work well with applicant tracking systems (ATS) so employers can quickly scan and evaluate your qualifications.

Whether you're learning how to make a CV for creative or corporate roles, templates matter. Here are three template types we offer:

Here are three designs from our template library that show stylistic diversity: 

Customize this template

Creative

Customize this template

Modern

Customize this template

Simple

Add Your Contact Information

Your contact info should always be in the header at the top of your CV—either at the left, right, or center. While the exact location depends on your CV template, your header should always include your full name, location, phone number, and email address.

Feel free to include your LinkedIn profile, a portfolio site, or professional social media handles if you have any.

Here's an overview of what to include and what to leave out of your header:

CV headers vary in style. Here's an example of two different header styles: 

Write an Impressive Summary Statement

Write a three- to five-sentence summary statement at the top of your CV that highlights your key qualifications and experience. This is one of the most important parts of CV writing because it determines whether recruiters keep reading.

Excellent summaries, whether professional summaries or objective statements, are focused, brief, and full of relevant keywords that show how well-suited you are to the role. They also use language with action words to keep the recruiter engaged.

If you're unsure of which words to use, the job listing can be your guide. Highlight any job-specific keywords, and include them in your summary statement if the skills accurately represent your experience.

The following examples demonstrate how to write a good CV summary statement:

Lawyer Summary Statement

Nursing Assistant Summary Statement

College Professor Summary Statement

List Your Relevant Work Experience

List your work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent position, and include your job titles, employer names, locations, and dates of employment. 

Under each role, use bullet points to describe your key accomplishments rather than just listing duties. Including data and metrics helps show the results of your work.

Take an honest inventory of your job history. Write down your accomplishments and as many quantifiable achievements as you can. Prove to the employer that you're capable of achieving results, and they'll want to see what you can do for their organization.

Let's see how to make a CV work history section for three different industries:

Work Experience Sample for a Teaching Assistant

Work Experience Sample for a Civil Engineer

Work Experience Sample for a Journalist

Add Relevant Skills for the Role

Choose skills most aligned with the job you're applying for, ensuring they clearly reflect both your technical expertise and workplace strengths.

While this section doesn't involve much writing, it does require thoughtful preparation. You need a mix of hard and soft skills, so read the job description closely to see what the employer is looking for.

Highlight the skills that apply to you, then naturally work them into your CV.

Build Your CV Education Section

Your education section should be clear, structured, and relevant. It's critical to your CV's success, so focus intently on formatting.

Whether you're learning how to write a CV for grad school, a research assistant job, or anything in between, there are a few key rules to follow:

• Keep your entries uniform.
• Only list high school if it's your highest level of education.
• Only add graduation dates to your CV if you're a very recent graduate.

Check out these examples of how to craft this section for different levels of education: 

College Graduate

College, Grad School, & PhD

Include Additional CV Sections

While a standard CV will always include the same core sections, optional sections include:

For example, here's how you might list certifications in a separate section on your CV:

How to Take Your CV to the Next Level

Taking your CV to the next level means improving clarity, strategically tailoring your content, and showcasing measurable results. Before you finish writing your CV and send it out into the world, keep the following tips in mind.

5 Common CV Mistakes to Avoid

Before you submit your application, take a moment to review these common CV mistakes and learn how to avoid them so your experience can shine.

Mistake #1: 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, you could get screened out by the employer's applicant tracking system for not using the right keywords. 

How do you avoid being generic? Read the job description carefully and ensure your CV highlights the skills and qualifications required for the role.

Mistake #2: Focusing on Job Duties Rather Than Achievements

Another common mistake in CV writing is focusing on job duties instead of results.

The bullet points in your work experience section should show your impact, whether you generated more sales, revenue, or positive reviews.

A good rule of thumb is to ensure that every bullet point begins with an active verb and features a measurable outcome you achieved or a challenge you overcame.

Mistake #3: 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 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 driving for Uber off your CV.

Mistake #4: Failing to Focus on the Employer's Needs

Employers want to hire people who will help them achieve their goals. A strong CV isn't just about you—it's about alignment with the role.

Before writing your CV, read and understand the employer's mission statement, and ensure your CV addresses it. Your professional summary is a strong place to reflect this alignment.

Mistake #5: Using an Unprofessional Email Address

One final mistake applicants make on their CVs is a lack of professionalism.

Never use an informal email address like "xStoneColdx@example.com," which can undermine your credibility instantly.

A professional email address should use a simple combination of your name or initials, such as "johndoe@example.com" or "msmith@example.com."

This small detail is often overlooked in CV writing, but it directly impacts first impressions.