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CV Building Tips
When applying for jobs, your CV gives Hiring Managers and Recruiters their first impression of you.
This means your CV needs to be relevant, clearly presented, and informative.
Top tips for building your CV
Use a clear font like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri
The text on your CV should be between size 10 and 12
Use headings and bullet points to clearly structure your CV
Always be clear and to the point - all information should be relevant
Double check your spelling and grammar before applying for jobs
CV templates are readily available online to help build your CV
HEADER
Employers need to know who you are, so make sure to include your full name.
If they’re interested in arranging an interview, they will need to reach out. Include your preferred contact number and email address on your CV header.
You will also need to include the town and city you reside in. This does not mean you need to have your full address on your CV, although you can include your postcode if preferred.
If you’re relocating, state where you are moving to (and when, if planned).
It is worth mentioning here if you have a driving licence and access to your own vehicle.
We recommending not including your age, your date of birth, whether you're married, or your nationality on your CV to help avoid any discrimination.
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
This section allows you to sell yourself to prospective employers in a short paragraph. Use this space to summarise your key experience and skills. It should highlight:
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how much experience you have in relevant fields
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2 - 3 of your biggest achievements to date
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1 - 2 of your top skills that are relevant to the role
EXAMPLE
“Detail-oriented receptionist with 4+ years of experience in customer service. Efficient in performing the administrative and front-desk tasks of large-scale offices. Fluent in Norwegian, English, Spanish, and Swedish. Proficient in MS Office Suite.”
EXAMPLE
“Dedicated financial analyst with a track record of successful investments. 5+ years of experience in investment banking, with a focus on the oil industry. Responsible for analyzing potential investments, as well as conducting industry, market, and company-specific research. MBA in Finance.”
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
This is the most important section of your CV, as your previous employment and transferrable skills are what will be considered in your application. Take time to outline the key duties and responsibilities of each role, especially those that could apply to the position you’re going for.
It can often be worth highlighting your reasons for leaving each position on your CV, to make your career changes and intentions clear to prospective employers.
Where possible, also explain any gaps in your employment history.
Limited work experience?
Focus on transferable skills you’ve learned through projects, work experience, or volunteer work. Perhaps include hobbies and interests that demonstrate key skills. For example, if you’re the captain of a sports team this demonstrates leadership skills, confidence to guide others, and great organisation.
FORMAT TEMPLATE
Job Title - Company Name | Month YYYY - Month YYYY
Based in Town, City
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Use bullet points here to summarise key duties and responsibilities of the role.
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Where possible, keep bullet points short and sweet. One line per point is preferable.
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Also, if you are particularly proud of something, include your key achievements here!
Reason for leaving -
EXAMPLE
Customer Service Assistant - Tesco | May 2016 - March 2020
Based in Colchester, Essex
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Always providing a high level of customer service and satisfaction.
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Supporting customers with general enquiries and locating items in-store.
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Assisting customers and Management with complaint handling, escalating as required.
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Till working including handling cash and card transactions, refunds, and returns.
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Assisting with deliveries of stock and shopfloor replenishment as required.
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Maintaining high standards of cleanliness throughout the store at all times.
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Working collaboratively with other in-store departments as required by business demands.
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Other customer-facing tasks as required and / or allocated by Management.
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Key achievements include fundraising over £3,000 for a local charity as a store.
Reason for leaving - Seeking a new challenge
EDUCATION
This should outline your education history from secondary school onwards, plus other supporting qualifications, certificates, and awards. This can include, but is not limited to:
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accredited courses and qualifications
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memberships (e.g. ACCA, CIMA, AAT, CIPD)
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certificates such as first aid training
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awards such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award
FORMAT TEMPLATE
School, College or University Name | Month YYYY - Month YYYY
Based in Town, City
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Use bullet points here to state which qualification(s) have been achieved (Grades optional)
Other Qualifications
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List other professional qualifications you have that support your application
EXAMPLE
University of Aberdeen | September 2018 - July 2022
Based in Aberdeen, Scotland
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Master’s Degree in Business Management English (2:1)
Other Qualifications
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Level 5 CIPD - Associate Diploma in People Management
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Online course in Human Resource Management (via Adams Academy)
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Mental Health First Aid Trained
RELEVANT SKILLS AND SOFTWARE EXPERIENCE
Use this section to highlight any skills and software experience that are relevant for the role.
Most positions will require you to have basic computer skills as a minimum, which typically includes having experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc).
It's also beneficial to note any industry-specific or role-specific software you have experience with. Typically, employers will include any required software experience on the job specification.
If you have this experience, mention it!
Listing your relevant skills can help a Hiring Manager or Recruiter get to know you better.
These should be relevant, positive qualities you can offer the prospective employer.
FORMAT TEMPLATE
Skills and Experience
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List relevant skills and experience you have, outside of your employment history
Software Experience
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List relevant software and applications that you're experienced in
EXAMPLE
Skills and Experience
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Computer literate and able to learn new software quickly
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Highly organised and able to prioritise tasks effectively
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Analytical with excellent problem-solving skills
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Confident working in fast-paced, pressurised environments
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Strong leadership capabilities with experience motivating teams
Software Experience
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Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc)
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Salesforce CRM
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Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator etc)
REFERENCES
References are typically not contacted until the post-interview or offer stage and therefore it is not necessary to include the contact details of your references unless requested, but you can if preferred.
You can always put “references available upon request” instead, and provide your references later.
If an employer asks for references during the application process, this will usually state if they want employer or personal references (or both).
Employer references should come from your line manager, preferably from your most recent role(s).
Personal references should be someone outside of your direct family who can testify to your character. This should ideally be someone who has known you for some time, for example:
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friends or family friend
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teacher or lecturer
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neighbour
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current or former colleague *
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someone with good community standing
* This should not be someone you supervise or have ever supervised.
FORMAT TEMPLATE
Reference Name
(Job Title - Company Name)
T: Contact Number
E: Email Address