CV Format Guide: How To Write a CV (With Example)
What Is a CV?
A CV, short for curriculum vitae, is a document that presents your professional and academic background. It is used when applying for jobs, internships, academic programs, research positions, grants, fellowships or professional opportunities.
Depending on the country, industry and role, a CV may be similar to a resume or more detailed than a resume. In many countries, “CV” and “resume” are used almost interchangeably. In academic, medical, scientific and research fields, a CV may be longer and include detailed sections such as publications, research experience, teaching experience, presentations, grants and academic awards.
For most job applications, a CV should be clear, relevant and focused on the opportunity you are applying for.
CV vs. Resume: What Is the Difference?
The difference between a CV and a resume depends on location and industry.
In the United States, a resume is usually a short, targeted document used for most job applications. A CV is often longer and used for academic, research, medical or scientific roles.
In many other countries, the term CV is commonly used for the standard job application document, similar to what U.S. employers call a resume.
A resume is usually one to two pages and focuses on relevant work experience. A CV can be longer when it includes academic history, publications, research, teaching, grants and professional achievements.
If you are applying for a job, read the application instructions carefully. If the employer asks for a CV, provide the document that matches the role, location and industry expectations.
Why CV Format Matters
CV format matters because employers often review applications quickly. A clear format helps them find the information they need without confusion.
A well-formatted CV can make your qualifications easier to understand. A poorly formatted CV can make even strong experience look disorganized.
Good CV formatting helps you:
Create a professional first impression
Highlight your most relevant qualifications
Make your experience easier to scan
Show attention to detail
Organize information logically
Improve readability
Tailor your application to the role
Your CV does not need to be visually complicated. In most cases, simple and clean formatting works best.
Best CV Format
The best CV format for most job seekers is the reverse chronological format.
This format lists your most recent experience first, followed by earlier roles. It is easy for employers to read because it shows your career progression clearly.
A standard CV format usually includes:
Contact information
Professional summary
Work experience
Education
Skills
Certifications
Projects
Awards or honors
Publications or presentations, if relevant
Volunteer experience, if relevant
Additional professional information
You can adjust the order based on your experience. For example, students and recent graduates may place education near the top. Experienced professionals usually place work experience before education.
CV Format Comparison Table
| CV Format | Best For | Main Benefit | Possible Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse chronological CV | Most professionals | Shows career history clearly | Less useful for major career changes |
| Functional CV | Career changers or people with gaps | Highlights skills over dates | Some employers may prefer work history first |
| Combination CV | Experienced candidates with transferable skills | Balances skills and experience | Can become too long if not edited carefully |
| Academic CV | Researchers, professors, medical or scientific professionals | Includes publications, research and teaching | Too detailed for most business roles |
| Creative CV | Designers or creative professionals | Shows visual style and portfolio thinking | Not ideal for traditional industries |
How To Write a CV
1. Choose the Right CV Format
Start by choosing the format that fits your situation.
For most job applications, use a reverse chronological CV. This is the safest and most widely accepted format.
Use a functional CV only if you need to emphasize skills over traditional work history. This may be useful if you are changing careers, returning to work after a break or applying for a role where transferable skills matter more than job titles.
Use a combination CV if you want to highlight both skills and work history.
Use an academic CV if you are applying for academic, research, medical, scientific or teaching positions where detailed credentials are expected.
2. Add Your Contact Information
Your contact information should appear at the top of your CV.
Include:
Full name
Phone number
Professional email address
City and country or city and state
LinkedIn profile, if relevant
Portfolio or personal website, if relevant
Avoid including unnecessary personal details unless they are expected in your country or industry.
You usually do not need to include your full home address, marital status, age, photo or personal identification number unless the employer specifically requests it and it is appropriate in your region.
Example:
Alex Carter
New York, NY
(555) 123-4567
linkedin.com/in/alexcarter
alexcarterportfolio.com
3. Write a Professional Summary
A professional summary is a short paragraph at the top of your CV that explains your experience, strengths and career focus.
It should be three to four sentences long.
A good professional summary answers:
Who are you professionally?
What experience do you have?
What skills or achievements make you strong?
What type of role are you targeting?
Example:
Marketing specialist with four years of experience in content strategy, campaign planning and performance analysis. Skilled in creating SEO content, managing social media campaigns and using analytics to improve lead generation. Experienced in working with cross-functional teams to support product launches and brand growth. Seeking a marketing role where strong writing, research and campaign execution skills can support measurable business results.
Avoid vague summaries such as:
Hardworking professional seeking a challenging opportunity.
This does not tell the employer what you can do.
4. Include Your Work Experience
Your work experience section is often the most important part of your CV.
List your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position.
For each role, include:
Job title
Company name
Location
Employment dates
Bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements
Your bullet points should focus on impact, not only tasks.
Instead of writing:
Responsible for social media.
Write:
Managed weekly social media content calendar across three platforms, increasing average monthly engagement by 28%.
Strong work experience bullet points often begin with action verbs, such as:
Managed
Created
Improved
Led
Developed
Analyzed
Coordinated
Increased
Reduced
Supported
Launched
Trained
Use numbers when possible. Numbers make your achievements more specific and credible.
5. Add Your Education
Your education section should include your degree, school name, location and graduation date or expected graduation date.
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Graduated May 2024
If you are a student or recent graduate, you may include relevant coursework, honors, GPA, academic projects or leadership activities.
If you have several years of work experience, keep the education section shorter unless your education is especially relevant to the role.
6. List Relevant Skills
The skills section helps employers quickly see whether you match the job requirements.
Include skills that are relevant to the role. Avoid listing every skill you have.
You can divide skills into categories if helpful.
Example:
Technical Skills: Google Analytics, Excel, HubSpot, WordPress, SEO tools
Marketing Skills: Content strategy, email marketing, keyword research, campaign reporting
Soft Skills: Communication, project management, collaboration, problem-solving
Use the job description to identify which skills matter most. Then include matching skills that you truly have.
Do not list skills you cannot discuss in an interview.
7. Add Certifications and Licenses
Certifications can strengthen your CV, especially when they are relevant to the role.
Include:
Certification name
Issuing organization
Date earned
Expiration date, if applicable
Example:
Google Analytics Certification, Google, 2025
Project Management Professional, Project Management Institute, 2024
Certified Public Accountant, State Board of Accountancy, 2023
Certifications can be especially useful in fields such as IT, finance, healthcare, project management, marketing, education and skilled trades.
8. Include Projects
Projects can be useful if they show skills that are relevant to the job.
This section is especially helpful for students, recent graduates, career changers, developers, designers, marketers, researchers and consultants.
For each project, include:
Project name
Your role
Tools or methods used
Short description
Result or outcome
Example:
Website Redesign Project
Led a redesign of a local nonprofit’s website using WordPress and basic SEO best practices. Improved site structure, updated page copy and created a simpler navigation system to help visitors find donation and volunteer information more easily.
Projects can show practical ability even if you do not have a long work history.
9. Add Awards or Honors
Awards and honors can help show achievement.
Include academic awards, professional recognition, scholarships, industry honors, employee awards or competition results if they are relevant.
Example:
Dean’s List, 2022–2024
Employee of the Quarter, BrightPath Solutions, 2023
First Place, University Business Case Competition, 2024
Keep this section concise. If an award is not relevant or impressive, you may not need to include it.
10. Include Publications or Presentations if Relevant
Publications and presentations are usually most important for academic, research, scientific, medical or technical CVs.
Include:
Article or paper title
Publication name
Date
Co-authors, if applicable
Conference or event name, if applicable
Example:
“Digital Literacy and Student Engagement in Online Learning,” Journal of Educational Research, 2024
Presented “Data Visualization for Public Health Reporting” at the Midwest Research Conference, 2023
For most business job applications, this section is optional unless the work directly supports your qualifications.
11. Add Volunteer Experience if Useful
Volunteer experience can help show leadership, teamwork, service and transferable skills.
It can be especially helpful for students, recent graduates, career changers or candidates with employment gaps.
Include:
Organization name
Role
Dates
Key contributions
Example:
Volunteer Coordinator
Community Food Network, Chicago, IL
January 2023–Present
Organize weekly volunteer schedules, coordinate donation pickups and train new volunteers on food distribution procedures.
Volunteer work can be valuable when it connects to the role or demonstrates strong character and initiative.
12. Tailor Your CV for Each Application
A generic CV is usually less effective than a tailored CV.
Before applying, read the job description carefully. Look for required skills, preferred qualifications, responsibilities and keywords.
Then adjust your CV to emphasize the most relevant experience.
This may include:
Reordering skills
Rewriting your summary
Highlighting relevant achievements
Adding keywords from the job description
Removing unrelated details
Choosing stronger bullet points
Tailoring does not mean being dishonest. It means presenting your real experience in the most relevant way.
CV Formatting Tips
Use a clean, readable font. Common choices include Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Times New Roman or Georgia.
Use a font size between 10 and 12 points for body text.
Make your name larger than the rest of the text.
Use bold headings to separate sections.
Keep margins balanced.
Use consistent spacing.
Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs.
Avoid excessive colors, icons or graphics unless you are in a creative field.
Save the final file as a PDF unless the employer requests another format.
Name the file professionally.
Example:
Alex-Carter-CV.pdf
A clean CV is easier to read and more likely to look professional across devices.
How Long Should a CV Be?
The ideal CV length depends on your experience and industry.
For most job applications, one to two pages is enough.
Students and early-career professionals may only need one page. Experienced professionals may need two pages. Academic CVs can be much longer because they may include research, teaching, publications, grants and presentations.
Do not make your CV longer just to look experienced. Every section should support your application.
A strong short CV is better than a long unfocused CV.
What To Leave Off a CV
A CV should focus on professional relevance.
In most cases, leave off:
Unprofessional email addresses
Full home address
Irrelevant hobbies
Outdated jobs that do not add value
Personal details not required by the employer
Salary history
Reasons for leaving previous jobs
References, unless requested
False or exaggerated claims
Photos, unless expected in your region or industry
Your CV should help employers evaluate your qualifications, not distract them with unnecessary information.
Common CV Mistakes To Avoid
One common mistake is using the same CV for every job. Employers can often tell when a CV is generic.
Another mistake is listing duties without achievements. A bullet point that says “handled customer service” is less effective than one that says “resolved an average of 45 customer inquiries per day while maintaining a 96% satisfaction rating.”
A third mistake is using unclear formatting. If headings, dates and bullet points are inconsistent, the CV may look careless.
Another mistake is including too much information. A CV should be detailed enough to be useful but not overloaded with unrelated experience.
Finally, many candidates forget to proofread. Spelling mistakes, grammar errors and incorrect dates can weaken your application.
CV Template
Use this template to build a professional CV.
[Your Full Name]
[City, State or Country]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[LinkedIn Profile]
[Portfolio or Website]
Professional Summary
[Write three to four sentences summarizing your experience, key skills, strongest qualifications and target role.]
Work Experience
[Job Title]
[Company Name], [Location]
[Month Year] – [Month Year or Present]
[Achievement or responsibility using action verb]
[Achievement or responsibility using action verb]
[Achievement or responsibility using action verb]
[Job Title]
[Company Name], [Location]
[Month Year] – [Month Year]
[Achievement or responsibility using action verb]
[Achievement or responsibility using action verb]
[Achievement or responsibility using action verb]
Education
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [Location]
[Graduation Date or Expected Graduation Date]
[Relevant honors, coursework or GPA if useful]
Skills
[Skill category]: [Skill], [Skill], [Skill]
[Skill category]: [Skill], [Skill], [Skill]
Certifications
[Certification Name], [Issuing Organization], [Year]
Projects
[Project Name]
[Brief description of project, your role, tools used and outcome.]
Awards and Honors
[Award Name], [Organization], [Year]
Volunteer Experience
[Role]
[Organization Name], [Location]
[Dates]
[Brief description of responsibilities or achievement]
CV Example
Alex Carter
Chicago, IL
(555) 123-4567
linkedin.com/in/alexcarter
alexcarterportfolio.com
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented marketing specialist with four years of experience in content strategy, SEO, campaign coordination and performance reporting. Skilled in developing blog content, email campaigns and social media assets that support lead generation and brand awareness. Experienced in using analytics tools to measure campaign performance and improve messaging. Seeking a digital marketing role where strong writing, research and project management skills can support business growth.
Work Experience
Digital Marketing Specialist
BrightPath Solutions, Chicago, IL
June 2022 – Present
Developed SEO-focused blog content and landing page copy that increased organic traffic by 34% over 12 months.
Managed monthly email campaigns for more than 40,000 subscribers, improving average click-through rate by 18%.
Created campaign reports using Google Analytics and CRM data to help the marketing team identify high-performing channels.
Coordinated with design, sales and product teams to launch product update campaigns across email, social media and website content.
Marketing Coordinator
Northstar Learning Group, Chicago, IL
August 2020 – May 2022
Supported content calendar planning for blog, email and social media campaigns.
Wrote weekly social media posts and assisted with community management across LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Helped organize virtual events and webinars, including speaker coordination, registration pages and follow-up emails.
Tracked campaign performance and prepared monthly summaries for the marketing manager.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
Graduated May 2020
Dean’s List, 2018–2020
Skills
Marketing Skills: SEO writing, content strategy, email marketing, social media management, campaign reporting
Technical Skills: Google Analytics, HubSpot, WordPress, Canva, Excel, Mailchimp
Professional Skills: Project coordination, communication, research, editing, collaboration
Certifications
Google Analytics Certification, Google, 2024
Content Marketing Certification, HubSpot Academy, 2023
Projects
Product Launch Content Refresh
Updated website copy, email messaging and social media content for a product launch campaign. Collaborated with product and sales teams to clarify customer pain points and improve campaign consistency across channels.
Awards and Honors
Employee Recognition Award, BrightPath Solutions, 2023
Dean’s List, University of Illinois Chicago, 2018–2020
How To Make Your CV Stronger
A strong CV is not only a list of jobs. It is a focused document that shows why you are a good fit for a specific opportunity.
To strengthen your CV, review each section and ask:
Does this information support the role I want?
Are my most relevant achievements easy to find?
Do my bullet points show results?
Have I used clear action verbs?
Is my formatting consistent?
Are there any unnecessary details?
Is the CV easy to scan in less than one minute?
The best CVs are clear, targeted and evidence-based.
How To Write Better CV Bullet Points
Strong bullet points usually include three parts:
Action
Task
Result
For example:
Weak bullet point:
Responsible for reports.
Stronger bullet point:
Created weekly sales performance reports that helped managers track pipeline trends and identify delayed opportunities.
Even stronger bullet point:
Created weekly sales performance reports for a 12-person sales team, helping managers identify delayed opportunities and improve monthly pipeline visibility.
The strongest bullet points show what you did and why it mattered.
CV Action Verbs
Action verbs make your CV sound more active and specific.
Examples include:
Achieved
Analyzed
Built
Coordinated
Created
Delivered
Designed
Developed
Improved
Increased
Launched
Led
Managed
Organized
Reduced
Researched
Resolved
Supported
Trained
Updated
Use action verbs at the beginning of bullet points to make your experience clearer.
How To Tailor a CV to a Job Description
To tailor your CV, start by reading the job description carefully.
Highlight the most important skills, responsibilities and qualifications. Then compare them with your own experience.
For example, if the job description emphasizes project management, client communication and reporting, your CV should include examples that show those abilities.
You might adjust your professional summary, reorder your skills and rewrite bullet points to emphasize the most relevant achievements.
Do not copy the job description word for word. Use natural language and real examples from your experience.
Tailoring a CV can take extra time, but it often makes your application stronger.
CV Format for Students
Students may not have much full-time work experience, so education can appear near the top of the CV.
A student CV may include:
Contact information
Professional summary or objective
Education
Relevant coursework
Academic projects
Internships
Part-time jobs
Volunteer experience
Skills
Awards
Leadership activities
Students should focus on transferable skills, such as research, writing, teamwork, leadership, communication, problem-solving and technical tools.
Example student summary:
Motivated business student with coursework in marketing, data analysis and consumer behavior. Experienced in student leadership, event planning and social media content creation. Seeking a marketing internship where strong research, communication and project coordination skills can support campaign execution.
CV Format for Recent Graduates
Recent graduates should balance education and experience.
If your education is highly relevant, place it near the top. If you have internships, part-time jobs, projects or volunteer work, include them in the experience section.
Recent graduates should highlight:
Internships
Academic projects
Leadership roles
Relevant coursework
Technical skills
Campus activities
Honors
Part-time work
Do not underestimate part-time jobs. Customer service, retail, tutoring and campus roles can show responsibility, communication and work ethic.
CV Format for Experienced Professionals
Experienced professionals should usually place work experience before education.
The focus should be on achievements, leadership, measurable results and career progression.
An experienced professional CV should highlight:
Recent roles
Major accomplishments
Leadership responsibilities
Industry-specific skills
Certifications
Business impact
Relevant projects
Professional development
Older roles can be summarized more briefly, especially if they are less relevant.
CV Format for Career Changers
Career changers should focus on transferable skills.
A career change CV may include a strong professional summary, a skills section and selected experience that connects to the new field.
For example, a teacher applying for a training coordinator role might highlight lesson planning, presentation skills, curriculum development, communication and learner support.
The goal is to help employers understand how your previous experience applies to the new role.
Avoid hiding your background. Instead, translate it into language that matches the job you want.
CV Format for Academic Roles
An academic CV is usually more detailed than a standard job CV.
It may include:
Education
Research interests
Teaching experience
Publications
Conference presentations
Grants
Fellowships
Academic awards
Professional memberships
Research projects
References
Academic CVs can be several pages long, especially for experienced researchers or professors.
The most important sections depend on the position. A teaching-focused role may emphasize teaching experience. A research-focused role may emphasize publications and grants.
How Dokie Can Help You Present Your Career Story
When applying for jobs, internships, graduate programs or professional opportunities, you may need more than a written CV. You may also need a portfolio presentation, interview deck, project summary or personal branding presentation. Dokie can help turn your CV content, work achievements, academic projects and career story into clear, polished slides. Instead of spending hours formatting a presentation manually, you can use Dokie to organize your experience and create a professional deck that supports interviews, portfolio reviews and career development conversations.
Conclusion
A strong CV is clear, organized and tailored to the opportunity.
Start with the right format, add accurate contact information, write a focused professional summary and describe your experience with specific achievements. Include education, skills, certifications, projects and other relevant sections that support your application.
Good formatting makes your CV easier to read. Strong content makes your qualifications easier to understand.
Whether you are a student, recent graduate, experienced professional, career changer or academic applicant, your CV should show more than where you worked or studied. It should show the value you can bring.
Review your CV carefully, tailor it for each role and keep it updated as your career grows.
FAQs
What is a CV?
A CV, or curriculum vitae, is a professional document that summarizes your education, work experience, skills, qualifications and achievements.
What should a CV include?
A CV should usually include contact information, a professional summary, work experience, education, skills and relevant certifications, projects, awards or publications.
What is the best CV format?
The reverse chronological format is the best choice for most job seekers because it clearly shows recent experience first.
How long should a CV be?
For most job applications, a CV should be one to two pages. Academic CVs may be longer.
Should I include a photo on my CV?
In many countries and industries, a photo is not necessary and may be discouraged. Only include one if it is expected or requested in your region or field.
Should I include my full address on a CV?
In most cases, you only need to include your city and state or country. A full street address is usually not necessary.
What is the difference between a CV and a resume?
In the U.S., a resume is usually shorter and used for most job applications, while a CV is often longer and used for academic or research roles. In many other countries, CV and resume may mean nearly the same thing.
Should I tailor my CV for each job?
Yes. Tailoring your CV helps show the employer that your experience and skills match the role.
What font should I use for a CV?
Use a simple, readable font such as Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Times New Roman or Georgia.
Should I include hobbies on my CV?
Only include hobbies if they are relevant to the role or show useful skills. Otherwise, prioritize professional information.
Should I include references on my CV?
Only include references if the employer asks for them. Otherwise, you can provide references later in the hiring process.
How do I write a CV with no experience?
Focus on education, projects, coursework, volunteer experience, part-time jobs, leadership activities and transferable skills.
How do I make my CV stand out?
Use clear formatting, tailor it to the job, highlight achievements, use numbers when possible and include relevant skills and keywords.
Should I save my CV as a PDF?
Yes, unless the employer requests another format. A PDF helps preserve your formatting.
How often should I update my CV?
Update your CV whenever you gain new experience, complete a project, earn a certification or prepare for a new job application.