What is a CV?

CV stands for curriculum vitae, which is Latin for ‘course of life’. It is a summary of your experience, skills and education. In the USA and Canada it is known as a résumé – this is the French word for summary.The resume is the shortest and summarized version of your CV.

How to write a CV

Your CV is the passport through a good presentation to a job vacancy. Build a strong and perfect first impression by writing a CV that demonstrates why you are the perfect candidate

How long should a CV be?

If you choose a standard CV in the UK should ideally be no longer than two sides of A4.

How do I write a great CV?

There are many ways to create an exceptional CV, but for a solid foundation, concentrate on four main points:
  • Layout– place your most attractive skills and talents towards the top of your CV to boost your chances of impressing an employer. The same rule applies to listing grades – always place your highest grade first.
  • Grammar– there should be no mistakes in your CV. Use a spell checker and enlist a second pair of eyes to check over the text. Try and include as many active words as possible to increase the impact of your CV. Use active verbs to replace passive verbs and nouns wherever possible. For example, you could include targeted words like ‘created’, ‘analysed'; and ‘devised’ to present yourself as a person that shows initiative.
  • Presentation– keep your CV neat and make sure it is easy on the eye. Bullet points should be used to tidy up any lists. Your choice of font can have more impact than you might think. The University of Kent careers service suggest using 10 point Verdana or Lucida Sans with a larger typeface for headings and sub-headings. You should always avoid Comic Sans.
  • Style– there a various types of CV you can employ. Think carefully about what style will suit your needs. For templates, take a look at example CVs.
Rise to the top of the job pile with a professionally written CV and a free CV review from The CV Centre

What should I include in my CV?

Your CV needs to be packed with relevant and summarized information to give a good impression to a potential employer make the decision to hire you. It should include:
  • contact details – it contains full name, address, mobile phone number and email address;
  • education – list and date all previous education, placing the most recent highest up the page. Include any professional qualifications;
  • skills and abilities – for example, the ability to work in a team, manage people, customer service skills, or specific IT skills;
  • your work experience – this can be internships, voluntary roles or previous jobs. Add the most recent/relevant positions and examples of tasks.
  • referees – two people who can provide positive comments on your previous employment or experiences;

Do I need to explain gaps in my CV?

You must always inform a potential employer of a gap in your CV to avoid it being misinterpreted.
In your cover letter, you can provide an explanation for this career gap.

What are the consequences of lying on my CV?

Never lie on your CV or job application. Not only will you demonstrate your dishonesty to a potential employer, but there can be serious consequences too. For example, altering your degree grade from a 2:2 to a 2:1 is classed as degree fraud and can result in a prison sentence.

Should I include hobbies in my CV?

It’s not compulsory to include hobbies in your CV, but you may want to mention any that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. An example might be volunteering as a sports coach, or learning a language in your spare time.
Generic examples such as reading, going to the cinema, or listening to music are not worth including.

Do I need to write a cover letter?

You should always include a cover letter unless the employer states otherwise. You can draw attention and personalize your CV, disclose a disability or clarify gaps in your work history.
Find out how to write a persuasive cover letter.