Writing a great CV is the single most important step in your job search. Your CV is your first impression — it decides whether you get an interview or never hear back. This step-by-step guide covers every section with examples, formatting tips, and ATS optimization advice.
11. Choose the Right CV Format
The three main CV formats are: Chronological (most common — lists experience newest first), Functional (skill-based — good for career changers), and Combination (hybrid of both). For most job seekers, the chronological format is best because it is what ATS systems and hiring managers expect.
22. Start with a Strong Contact Header
Your header should include your full name in a larger font, a professional email address, phone number with country code, city and country, and LinkedIn URL. In some countries (UAE, Germany) a professional photo is also expected.
- Use a professional email: firstname.lastname@email.com
- Include your LinkedIn profile URL
- Add your city — you do not need your full home address
- Link to your portfolio or GitHub if relevant
33. Write a Powerful Professional Summary
Your professional summary sits at the top and is the first text recruiters read. It should state your job title, years of experience, two or three key skills, and what value you bring. Tailor it to every job description.
- Use present tense: "Experienced Software Engineer who..."
- Include one quantified achievement
- Mirror language from the job description
- Keep it under 80 words — tight and impactful
44. Work Experience — The Core Section
List roles in reverse chronological order. For each role include: job title, company, dates, and 4-6 bullet points starting with an action verb and including a measurable result.
- Start every bullet with a strong verb: Delivered, Built, Led, Reduced
- Add numbers: "Increased sales by 35% in Q3 2023"
- Show career progression across roles
- Include part-time and contract roles if relevant
55. Education Section
List your highest qualification first. Include degree name, institution, graduation year, and GPA if strong (3.5+/4.0). Fresh graduates should also include relevant coursework, projects, and academic honours.
66. Skills Section
List both hard skills (technical, role-specific) and soft skills. Use the exact terminology from the job posting — if they say "stakeholder management," use that phrase.
- Group skills into categories: Technical, Languages, Tools
- Include proficiency levels for languages
- Mirror keywords from the job posting
- Keep the list to 10-15 most relevant skills
77. ATS Optimization
Most companies use ATS to automatically filter CVs. To pass ATS: use standard section headings, avoid tables and text boxes, use a single-column layout, save as PDF, and include keywords from the job description throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my CV be?
1 page for freshers and those with under 3 years experience. 2 pages for mid-level professionals. Senior executives may go to 3 pages.
Should I include a photo?
Depends on the country. Photos are expected in UAE, Germany, and much of Asia. In the UK and USA, photos are generally avoided to prevent discrimination.
What font should I use?
Arial, Calibri, or Georgia at 10-12pt for body text. Your name can be larger (16-18pt). Avoid decorative fonts — they may not render correctly in ATS.