What to Include in a CV to Land a Great Job

The Standard CV format

Every CV should include the following sections. Although CVs are highly customizable, you should always include these sections when applying for any job.

1. Contact information
2. CV Summary Statement
3. Core Competencies or Skills
4. Education
5. Work Experience

Once you have those five key sections, you can customize your resume with additional sections like:

• Certifications
• Publications
• Honors and Awards
• Teaching Experience
• Research Experience
• Volunteer Work
• Internships
• Professional Affiliations
• Conferences
• Presentations

Depending on your field, some of these sections may reflect your qualifications, and some may not. You don’t need to include each of these CV sections on your document.

Writing a CV can take time because it should be tailored to your qualifications and job requirements. However, with our CV Maker, you can generate a custom CV in less than 15 minutes!

What is a CV?

If you found this page, you likely have never written a CV before. Before you begin writing, you should know that a CV (curriculum vitae) is a detailed document that outlines your professional and academic history.

Unlike a resume, which is typically one page long and highlights your most relevant experience, a CV is more comprehensive and often used in academia, research and international job applications. It provides an in-depth look at your qualifications, including your work history, education, skills, publications and other achievements.

CV vs. Resume

Compare CVs vs. resumes to understand the key differences between these documents better and determine the right one for you:

CV Example

• The primary job application document used in many countries outside the U.S.
• Typically longer than a resume, extending up to 10 pages.
• Contains more sections than a resume, offering a more comprehensive overview.
• May include a profile picture, depending on the country’s norms.
• Commonly used for positions in academia, scientific research and entertainment.

Resume Example

• The typical job application document used in the U.S.
• Generally spans one to two pages.
• Features fewer sections than a CV and is more succinct.
• Can be structured in three different resume formats.
• Profile photos should be excluded except for roles in sales or entertainment.

How to Write a CV

Writing a CV can seem daunting, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes the process easier. Let’s begin:

Step 1: Start With a Strong Summary Statement

Your CV should begin with a summary statement that helps you introduce yourself to recruiters by listing your most relevant qualifications for the job. Aim to keep this section between two to five sentences long to remain concise and compel recruiters to continue reading.

A few qualifications you can include in your CV personal statement, also called CV summary, are:

• Your profession or current job title.
• Your degree(s).
• Your years of experience.
• Top skills required for the job.
• An impressive, job-relevant career achievement.

If you lack career experience, you might even use this section to state your career plans and professional goals within the role. In that case, you’re better off writing a CV objective statement.

Here’s an example of a CV summary:

Now check out this CV objective example:

Step 2: Highlight Your Core Competencies

In curriculum vitae, it’s common to have a section below the summary or objective titled Core Competencies or Core Qualifications. In practice, this is another name for a Skills section.

Simply list six to eight of your most job-relevant skills, and ensure you have a balanced mix of soft skills and hard skills to prove you’re a well-rounded candidate.

Here’s an example for a lab researcher:

Step 3: Share Details About Your Education

The education section of your CV should provide a clear and concise overview of your academic background.

• Start by listing your highest degree first, followed by other degrees in reverse-chronological order.

• For each entry, include the degree earned, the name of the institution and its location.

• If you're a recent graduate or your education is highly relevant to the job, you may include details like your GPA, honors, relevant coursework and any academic awards.

Keep this section focused and relevant to the position you're applying for. Only highlight the education that best supports your qualifications for the role.

Check out this CV education example:

Step 4: Outline Your Work Experience.

Your CV work experience is crucial in showing employers you have the skills, knowledge and practice to thrive in the role.

• Organize your work history in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent role and working backward.
• For each role you include, list the job title, company name, location, dates of employment, and three to four bullet points describing unique achievements.
• Incorporate skills and quantifiable accomplishments to illustrate your expertise and impact better.

Here’s how a CV work experience entry looks like:

As we mentioned above, you can further personalize your CV by adding additional sections. Check out the following CV section examples to learn how to add them to your CV.

Certifications

This section lists any professional certifications or licenses relevant to the job you are applying for.

Publications

Include any research papers, articles, books or other published works you have authored or co-authored.

Honors and Awards

This section highlights any special recognitions, awards or honors you have received throughout your career or education.

Teaching Experience

Detail your roles as an educator, including the courses you have taught and your responsibilities in each position.

Research Experience

Outline your experience in conducting research, including the projects you've worked on and your specific contributions.

Volunteer Work

Highlight any unpaid work or community service relevant to the position or demonstrating important skills and values.

Internships

Detail any internships you've completed, focusing on the skills and experience you gained that are relevant to your career goals.

Professional Affiliations

List any professional organizations you are a member of that demonstrate your commitment to staying connected and informed in your field.

How to Adapt Your CV to Different Roles and Industries

Adapting your CV to fit different roles and industries is crucial to stand out in a competitive job market. A one-size-fits-all approach usually won’t cut it, so here are some strategies you can implement to tailor your CV for various roles, industries and scenarios.

Tailor Your Achievements to the Job

When applying to different jobs, it’s important to tailor your CV’s achievements and measurable results to reflect that role’s needs and requirements. Read the job description carefully and identify keywords like high-priority skills and qualifications. Use those insights to select and elaborate on your achievements.

For example, if you are applying for a marketing role, highlight projects where you increased engagement or led a successful campaign. For a sales role, focus on your savviness with numbers, spreadsheets and negotiation tactics.

Highlight Remote Work Skills

With remote and hybrid work becoming more common, adapting your CV to showcase your remote work experience is essential, especially for roles that explicitly require these skills. Create a dedicated “Remote Work Experience” section or integrate remote accomplishments in your previous roles. Mention specific tools and technologies you’ve mastered for remote collaboration, such as Zoom, Slack, Trello or Microsoft Teams, and emphasize soft skills like self-motivation, communication and digital collaboration. In addition, you can also highlight any remote-specific challenges you’ve overcome to demonstrate your ability to work with little supervision.

Match the Company’s Culture

Understanding a company's culture can help you adapt your CV to show you’re a good fit. First, research the company’s values, mission and work environment. Then, reflect those aspects in your CV by highlighting experiences or qualities that align with their culture.

If you’re applying to a startup that values agility and creativity, emphasize experiences where you’ve worked in dynamic environments or spearheaded innovative projects. For organizations that value environmental causes or community outreach, demonstrate your volunteer work or related projects.

Vary Skills to Match Industry Demands

Different industries prioritize different skills, so be ready to adjust the skills section of your CV accordingly for each job application. For tech roles, emphasize technical proficiencies like coding languages, software or data analysis tools. In creative industries, focus on soft skills like innovation, teamwork, communication and specific creative tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite). For management or leadership roles, highlight your leadership style, decision-making abilities and conflict-resolution skills.

Use Industry-Specific Language and Keywords

Each industry has its own jargon and preferred terminology, so adapt your language to fit the job. Incorporating industry-specific keywords can help your CV pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and show you are familiar with the field’s terminology. Tailor both the professional summary and the job descriptions using the same key terms in the job posting to increase relevance.

However, recruiters may only be somewhat familiar with that specialized knowledge. When including relevant terms like SEO or EHR, include the complete phrase, like search engine optimization and electronic health records, respectively.

Focus on Transferable Skills

If switching industries, focus on transferable skills that apply across various roles. Leadership, problem-solving, project management and communication are valuable skills in nearly every field. Contextualize these skills to demonstrate how they will benefit the new industry you’re targeting. For instance, project management in marketing might translate into the ability to oversee complex campaigns in a new industry like finance.

How to Format a CV

A well-formatted CV makes a strong visual impression and helps hiring managers quickly find the necessary information. Below are key tips on how to format your CV to ensure it is polished and effective:

• Fonts

  Choose a professional font like Arial or Calibri, using 10-12 points for body text and slightly larger for headings and your name. Keep font styles consistent.

• Margins

  Standard margins are 1 inch on all sides but can be reduced slightly if needed. Maintain enough white space for heightened readability.

• Spacing

  Use single spacing within each section’s content, but leave a tab space to separate sections. For bullet points, 1.15 or 1.2 line spacing is ideal.

• Length

  A CV is typically two to four pages, depending on experience. Focus on highlighting the most relevant information and avoid stuffing unnecessary details.

• Bullet points

  Use bullet points to list responsibilities and achievements. Keep paragraphs short and to the point.

• Headers and footers

  Include your name and contact information at the top of the first page of your CV. For multi-page CVs, you may add page numbers in the footer.

• File format

  Save your CV as a PDF to preserve its formatting. Name the file clearly with your name and “CV” (e.g., “JohnLiveCareer_CV.pdf”).

What Not to Include in a CV

When creating your CV, avoid the following common mistakes:

• Personal Information: Avoid details like age, gender, marital status, religion or your license and social security number.
• Photographs: If applying to a job in the U.S., do not include a photo unless specifically requested or relevant (e.g., for acting or modeling jobs). Anti-discrimination laws protect job seekers from hiring bias because of their appearance.
• References: Don’t include “References available upon request” or actual references on the CV. These can be provided separately if requested.
• Excessive detail: Avoid overly long descriptions; be concise and focused on the most relevant information.
• Unprofessional email address: Before you submit your CV, ensure your email address is professional and straightforward, meaning no nicknames or funny business. Also, use your personal email account, not your work email address.
• Salary information: Do not mention your current or expected salary. You can discuss this later in the hiring process.
• Reasons for leaving previous jobs: There’s no need to explain why you left previous roles on your CV. Stick to the skills and experience you can offer the new role.
• Negative language: Avoid mentioning failures, conflicts or anything negative about previous employers or professional experiences.
• Jargon and abbreviations: Avoid using industry-specific jargon or acronyms exclusively unless they are widely understood. It’s always best to write the full term and add the abbreviation in parentheses.

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