CV Writing Tips & Advice
Master the art of CV writing with our comprehensive guide. Learn from HR experts and career professionals to create a CV that stands out from the competition and lands you interviews.
Start Writing Your CVEssential CV Writing Tips
Start with a Strong Professional Summary
Your professional summary is your elevator pitch. In 2-3 sentences, highlight your key achievements, relevant skills, and career goals. This is often the first thing recruiters read, so make it count.
- Keep it concise (2-3 sentences maximum)
- Include your years of experience
- Mention your key skills and achievements
- Tailor it to the specific job you're applying for
Use Action Verbs and Quantify Results
Transform bland job descriptions into compelling achievements. Start each bullet point with a strong action verb and include specific numbers, percentages, or metrics wherever possible.
- Use verbs like "achieved," "implemented," "led," "optimized"
- Include specific numbers and percentages
- Focus on results and impact, not just duties
- Show how you added value to previous employers
Tailor Your CV for Each Application
Generic CVs don't get results. Customize your CV for each job application by incorporating keywords from the job description and emphasizing relevant experience and skills.
- Study the job description carefully
- Include relevant keywords naturally
- Highlight experience that matches requirements
- Adjust your professional summary for each role
Keep It Concise and Well-Formatted
Recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds scanning a CV. Make yours easy to read with clear formatting, consistent styling, and appropriate length for your experience level.
- 1 page for entry-level, 2 pages for experienced
- Use consistent fonts and formatting
- Include plenty of white space
- Use bullet points for easy scanning
Perfect CV Structure
1. Personal Information & Contact Details
Include your full name, professional email address, phone number, and location (city, country). Add LinkedIn profile if relevant.
Pro tip: Use a professional email address. Avoid nicknames or unprofessional handles.
2. Professional Summary or Objective
A brief 2-3 sentence overview of your professional background, key skills, and career goals. This should be tailored to each job application.
Pro tip: Use a summary if you have experience, an objective if you're entry-level.
3. Work Experience
List your work history in reverse chronological order. Include job title, company name, dates, and 3-5 bullet points highlighting your achievements and responsibilities.
Pro tip: Focus on accomplishments, not just job duties. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
4. Education
Include your highest degree first, with institution name, degree type, graduation date, and relevant honors or GPA (if above 3.5).
Pro tip: Include relevant coursework, projects, or thesis topics if they're relevant to the job.
5. Skills
List both technical and soft skills relevant to the position. Organize them by category and prioritize those mentioned in the job description.
Pro tip: Don't just list skills—provide context or proficiency levels where appropriate.
6. Additional Sections (Optional)
Include certifications, languages, volunteer work, or projects if they're relevant to the position. Only add sections that strengthen your application.
Pro tip: Quality over quantity. Only include sections that add value to your application.
ATS Optimization Tips
What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An ATS is software used by employers to collect, sort, scan, and rank job applications. Over 90% of large companies use ATS to filter CVs before human recruiters see them.
ATS-Friendly Formatting
- Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- Avoid headers, footers, and graphics
- Use simple bullet points (• or -)
- Save as .docx or .pdf (check job requirements)
- Use standard section headings
- Avoid tables and columns
- Keep formatting simple and clean
Keyword Optimization
- Mirror keywords from the job description
- Use both acronyms and full terms (e.g., "AI" and "Artificial Intelligence")
- Include industry-specific terminology
- Use exact phrasing when possible
- Include soft skills mentioned in the posting
- Repeat important keywords naturally throughout
- Don't keyword stuff—maintain readability
Common CV Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Spelling and Grammar Errors
Even small typos can disqualify you. Always proofread multiple times and consider using tools like Grammarly.
❌ Including Irrelevant Information
Don't include personal details like age, marital status, or unrelated hobbies unless specifically relevant to the role.
❌ Using Generic Templates
Avoid overly decorative templates that may not be ATS-compatible. Stick to clean, professional designs.
✅ Proofread Thoroughly
Read your CV multiple times, use spell-check tools, and have someone else review it for errors.
✅ Focus on Relevant Experience
Tailor your content to the specific role. Highlight experience and skills that directly relate to the job requirements.
✅ Use Professional Templates
Choose ATS-friendly templates that are clean, readable, and highlight your content effectively.
Industry-Specific CV Tips
Technology & IT
- Include a technical skills section with programming languages
- Mention specific technologies, frameworks, and tools
- Include links to GitHub, portfolio, or personal projects
- Quantify your impact (performance improvements, user growth)
- Stay current with industry terminology and trends
Healthcare & Medical
- List licenses, certifications, and continuing education
- Include clinical experience and specializations
- Mention patient care experience and outcomes
- Include research, publications, or presentations
- Highlight teamwork and communication skills
Finance & Banking
- Include relevant certifications (CFA, FRM, CPA)
- Highlight analytical and quantitative skills
- Mention specific financial software and tools
- Include deal experience and transaction values
- Demonstrate compliance and risk management knowledge
Creative & Design
- Include a link to your online portfolio
- List design software and technical skills
- Mention notable clients, brands, or projects
- Include awards, exhibitions, or recognition
- Show versatility across different media and styles
Ready to Write Your Perfect CV?
Put these tips into practice with our free CV maker. Create a professional, ATS-optimized CV that gets you noticed by recruiters and lands you interviews.