CAREER GUIDE
How Do You Write a CV? A Practical Guide to Creating a Professional CV
Learn how to write a clear, professional and job-focused CV that presents your experience,
skills and achievements in a way employers can quickly understand.
How Do You Write a CV?
Writing a CV can feel difficult when you are unsure what information to include, how much
detail to provide or how to present your experience professionally. The good news is that
an effective CV does not need to be complicated.
A strong CV is a focused professional document that explains who you are, what you can do,
what you have achieved and why your background is relevant to the position you are applying for.
Whether you are applying for a job in the United States or seeking an opportunity elsewhere
in the world, the same fundamental principle applies: make your most relevant
qualifications easy to find and easy to understand.
The Simple CV Formula
01
Introduce yourself professionally.
02
Show your relevant experience.
03
Highlight your strongest skills.
04
Demonstrate measurable achievements.
1
Start With Your Contact Information
Begin your CV with the information an employer needs to identify and contact you. Keep this
section simple and professional.
Include:
- Your full professional name
- Professional email address
- Phone number
- City and country or appropriate location
- LinkedIn profile, when relevant
- Professional portfolio or website, when appropriate
Avoid unnecessary personal information. Requirements can vary by country and profession,
so follow the expectations and instructions associated with the position you are applying for.
2
Write a Strong Professional Summary
Your summary gives the employer an immediate understanding of your professional background.
Keep it concise, relevant and focused on the value you offer.
Example:
Experienced operations professional with a background in customer service, administration
and business coordination. Skilled in improving daily processes, supporting customers and
coordinating multiple priorities in fast-paced environments. Known for professional
communication, attention to detail and a consistent focus on results.
3
Add Your Work Experience
List your professional experience in a clear and logical order, generally starting with
your most recent position.
Each position should explain your job title, employer, employment dates and the most relevant
responsibilities and achievements.
Avoid This
Responsible for managing customers and answering customer questions.
Write It Better
Managed customer enquiries across multiple channels, resolving issues efficiently
while maintaining a professional and positive customer experience.
4
Focus on Achievements, Not Just Duties
One of the biggest differences between an ordinary CV and a strong CV is the way work
experience is described.
Instead of simply explaining what you were expected to do, show how your work contributed
to the organization.
Improved:
Streamlined an administrative process to reduce delays and improve daily workflow efficiency.
Increased:
Supported customer engagement initiatives that contributed to stronger customer retention.
Delivered:
Coordinated multiple projects while maintaining deadlines, quality standards and stakeholder communication.
Add your educational qualifications in a clean and consistent format. Depending on your
career stage, you may include degrees, diplomas, certificates, institutions and relevant
academic achievements.
Students and recent graduates may place greater emphasis on education, internships,
academic projects and relevant coursework. Experienced professionals can generally
give more space to their career achievements.
6
Choose the Right Skills
Your skills section should reflect the abilities that are genuinely relevant to the position.
Avoid filling the CV with generic words that do not demonstrate anything meaningful.
Leadership
Communication
Project Management
Data Analysis
Customer Service
Digital Marketing
Problem Solving
Microsoft Office
7
Tailor Your CV to the Job
Do not assume that one CV should be sent unchanged to every employer. A better approach is
to adjust your CV according to the requirements of each position.
Read the job description carefully. Identify the most important skills, qualifications and
responsibilities, then make sure your relevant experience is clearly visible.
Think like the employer:
If a recruiter spends only a short amount of time reviewing your CV, can they immediately
understand why you are a relevant candidate?
Writing a CV for the USA and Global Opportunities
The words “CV” and “resume” are used differently around the world. In the United States,
most private-sector employers typically expect a concise resume for standard job applications.
Academic, research, scientific, medical and certain specialized positions may require a
traditional CV.
International applicants should also consider the conventions of the country and industry
where they are applying. Requirements regarding format, personal information, photographs
and document length can vary.
The safest approach is to research the employer, follow the job advertisement carefully
and present your information in a professional format appropriate for the opportunity.
Make Your CV ATS-Friendly
Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS software, to organize and process
applications. A simple, well-structured CV is generally easier for these systems to interpret
and easier for recruiters to review.
Use Clear Headings
Make sections such as Experience, Education and Skills easy to identify.
Use Relevant Keywords
Include job-related terminology naturally when it accurately describes your experience.
Keep Formatting Simple
Avoid unnecessary graphics and overly complicated layouts.
Mistakes That Can Weaken Your CV
Too Much Information
Remove information that does not support your application.
Generic Statements
Replace vague claims with specific evidence and achievements.
Poor Formatting
Use consistent spacing, headings and typography.
Errors
Always check spelling, grammar, dates and contact details.
Before You Send Your CV
Take a final moment to review your document from an employer’s perspective.
✓ Your contact details are accurate.
✓ Your professional summary is clear.
✓ Your experience focuses on relevant achievements.
✓ Your skills match the position where appropriate.
✓ Your CV is easy to read and professionally formatted.
✓ You have checked grammar, spelling and dates.
A Good CV Opens the Door
Writing a CV is not simply about listing your previous jobs. It is about presenting your
professional story in a clear and convincing way.
Start with the position you want, identify the experience that matters most, describe your
achievements clearly and use a professional structure that allows employers to find important
information quickly.
Your CV is often your first professional introduction. Make it clear, relevant, accurate
and strong enough to make the reader want to know more about you.
