How to Write a CV: Step by Step Guide & Examples

What to Know

A well-written CV gives employers a clear picture of your qualifications, experience, and professional accomplishments. While resumes are more common for most jobs in the U.S., a CV may be expected for certain academic, medical, research, or other specialized positions.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to write a professional CV step by step, including how to structure each section, tailor your content to the job, and highlight your most relevant achievements.

Watch this quick tutorial to learn how to create a CV using LiveCareer’s CV builder:

What Is a CV?

A CV (curriculum vitae) is a detailed document that summarizes your education, professional experience, skills, and other qualifications. It’s similar to a resume but typically more comprehensive, and it’s used in different contexts depending on the country.

In the U.S., resumes are more commonly used and are typically shorter. CVs are usually required only for academic, medical, or research roles that emphasize education and publications. In many countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa, CVs are the standard application document for most professional roles.

The key differences between CVs and resumes include length, structure, and regional use:

CV

• Used for academic, medical, and international roles
• Typically longer than a resume (often two to 10+ pages)
• Includes more detailed sections, such as publications and research
• Flexible formatting depending on the industry, role, and candidate background
• May include profile photos, depending on country conventions

Resume

• Used primarily for job applications in the U.S. and Canada
• Typically one to two pages long
• Focuses on relevant experience and skills rather than full academic history
• Usually follows one of three formats: chronological, functional, or combination
• Shouldn’t include profile photos

If you’re applying to U.S.-based companies, you should create a concise, tailored resume instead of a CV. If you need to write a detailed CV for academic, medical, or international roles, the next sections will guide you through the process.

How to Write a CV for a Job Application

To write a CV, organize your qualifications into five core sections: contact information, summary, work experience, skills, and education. Additional sections can be added depending on your industry, experience level, and career goals.

Here’s a breakdown of key CV sections to consider:

1. 1

   Contact information/header

2. 2

   Personal statement

3. 3

   Work experience

4. 4

   Education

5. 5

   Key skills and qualifications

6. 6

   Research

7. 7

   Industry awards

8. 8

   Certifications

9. 9

   Publications

10. 10

    Professional affiliations

11. 11

    Conferences attended

12. 12

    Additional training

The five core sections form the foundation of a CV, while optional sections allow you to highlight specialized experience, such as research or publications.

Step 1

Add Your Contact Information in the Header

Your CV header should include your contact information so employers can quickly identify and reach you.

Your header should typically include your:

Here’s an example of a properly formatted CV header:

Step 2

Write a Professional Summary With a Persuasive Pitch

A professional summary is a three- to five-sentence introduction highlighting your years of experience, key skills, certifications, and notable achievements. It should quickly show employers why you're a strong fit for the role and encourage them to keep reading.

Your professional summary should include your:

Here's an example of a strong professional summary:

If you're a student, recent graduate, or career changer with limited experience, you can use an objective statement to present your potential by emphasizing your transferable skills, academic achievements, and career goals.

Here’s an example resume objective:

Pro Tip

Mirror the language used in the job description where appropriate. Including relevant keywords and skills can help demonstrate your fit for the role while keeping your summary aligned with applicant tracking systems (ATS). 

Step 3

List Your Work Experience in Detail

Your CV work experience section should list your relevant roles in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent position. It should demonstrate not only what you did but also the results you achieved.

Each work experience entry must include the following information:

Here’s an example CV work history entry: 

To strengthen your work experience section: 

Pro Tip

You can use LiveCareer’s CV Maker to help structure your work experience section and generate ideas for achievement-focused bullet points, which you can then tailor to your own experience.

Step 4

 Share Your Key Skills & Qualifications

Your skills section should highlight the abilities most relevant to the role you’re applying for, including technical, academic, and transferable skills that match the job description. Tailoring this section helps employers quickly see how your background aligns with the role’s requirements. 

Here’s an example of a skills section for a research-focused academic CV:

Step 5

Showcase Your Educational Achievements

Present your education section in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent degree. Include your degree title and the institution name and location.

You may include graduation dates, especially for recent qualifications, but some candidates choose to omit dates due to regional practices or to reduce potential hiring bias. If you’re currently completing a degree or transferring to a new program, you can include an expected graduation date.

For academic or research-focused CVs, you can also include thesis titles or dissertations to highlight specialization and demonstrate expertise.

Here’s an example education section for a CV:

Step 6

 Customize Your CV With Additional Sections

Depending on your field, additional CV sections can highlight specialized experience such as research, publications, certifications, awards, conference presentations, or volunteer work. 

The sections below highlight some of the most common additions to a CV.

Research Experience

Use a research experience section to showcase academic or professional research relevant to the role. Include project titles, your role, the methodologies you used, and measurable outcomes whenever possible.

For example:

Publications

If you've published multiple academic or professional works, include a publications section. List entries in reverse-chronological order using a consistent citation style.

For example:

Teaching Experience

Include teaching positions that demonstrate your instructional experience, curriculum development, or subject matter expertise.

For example:

Affiliations & Memberships

Professional affiliations and memberships demonstrate ongoing involvement in your field and strengthen your professional credibility. Include leadership roles whenever applicable.

For example:

Certifications & Licenses

Add certifications relevant to your field to showcase your professional development. List them in reverse-chronological order, and include the issuing organization and year earned.

For example:

Languages

Include languages you speak along with your proficiency level. Language skills can strengthen your CV, especially for international or multilingual positions.

For example:

Conferences

Share conferences you've attended or presented at to demonstrate professional development and engagement within your industry. Include the conference name and the year you attended.

For example:

Grants & Fellowships

Include grants and fellowships, along with the year you earned them, to highlight recognition of your academic or professional work.

For example:

Awards

Include awards and honors that recognize your academic, professional, or industry achievements. List them in reverse-chronological order and include the awarding organization and year.

For example:

Templates to Kickstart the CV Writing Process

A CV template provides a ready-made structure that helps you create a professional CV more quickly. Select one of the CV templates below to customize it with your own information.

These CV templates are designed to be visually clear, easy to read, and professional.

Many employers use ATS software to help screen applications. Using clear headings, standard formatting, and relevant keywords can make your CV easier for these systems to parse.

You can also check your CV for ATS compatibility using our free ATS Checker to identify formatting or keyword issues before applying.

Complement Your CV With a Cover Letter

Many employers ask for or encourage a cover letter when you submit a CV. A cover letter complements your CV by explaining your interest in the role and expanding on your most relevant qualifications. 

Benefits of Submitting a Cover Letter With Your CV

Writing a cover letter allows you to go beyond your CV by adding context to your experience and explaining why you’re a strong fit for a specific role.

Pro Tip

Don't repeat your CV. Use your cover letter to explain why you're interested in the role and provide context for accomplishments that deserve additional explanation. Our Cover Letter Generator can help you structure your letter and tailor your content to the job description.