CVs


Key Resources

In this section...

General advice on writing a CV

Five principles that make a great CV

There is no right or wrong way to write a CV. If you apply the principles below you will be able to write a CV for any purpose.

  1. Relevance - find out what the job involves and show how your knowledge, experience and skills are relevant.
  2. Order - put your most relevant information first and give it the most space. Based on what you know about the job, decide what is most relevant – for example, your degree, work experience or voluntary work.
  3. Format - aim for a professional-looking CV. This means consistent in layout, good balance of text and space, careful use of italics, bold and underlining and use of good quality paper.
  4. Attention to detail - spelling and grammar must be correct. Check it over carefully. If you are unsure, get a friend to help you.
  5. Letter - always send a covering letter, unless you are asked not to. It introduces you and should encourage the employer to read your CV.
Different types of CV

typewriter displaying the words curriculum vitae

As long as you follow the principles above, how you structure your CV is up to you, although a UK CV is usually no more than two pages long. However, there may be a particular style that will highlight your strengths more effectively.

The most common styles are outlined below:

  • Chronological - lists your education and experience in reverse chronological order - starting with the most recent and working backwards. This type is easy to organise but may not be so effective if you have non-relevant qualifications and experience.
  • Skills-based - this focuses on the skills required by the employer more than on your education and work history. You need to have a very clear understanding of what the employer is looking for and the ability to convey this with examples or evidence. This is a useful style if you want to highlight relevant skills from non-relevant qualifications and experience.
  • Combination - it may be that a combination of chronological and skills-based styles is appropriate. You may have very relevant qualifications that favour a chronological layout, and varied work experience that benefits from a skills-based approach.
  • Academic - use this style to apply for academic jobs such as a postdoctoral position or lectureship. It is built around three areas - your research, teaching and administration experience. Length is less important and it may be longer than two pages. Go to Postgraduate and Academic CVs for more information and examples.
  • CVs for other countries - different countries have different CV formats - make sure you find out what is required. For advice on writing a CV and letter for countries other than the UK, go to CVs for other countries.
Speculative CVs

When writing a speculative CV, follow the same principles as you would when responding to an advertised position. However, as you then won’t have a job description or person specification to work from, you will have to do some research to compile an effective CV. It helps to know as much as possible about the field of work, the company and the role you are interested in. Additionally, you need to know which skills will be required - for examples, look at the occupational profiles on the Prospects website.

Useful websites

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How to demonstrate your skills

Useful websites
  • GET - What career skills do I have? article about how to identify the skills you have to offer potential employers.
  • Prospects - Job applications – selling your skills article looking at what you can offer employers in terms of transferable skills and how you can relate these skills to opportunities.
  • Real World Magazine - Get the X Factor article focusing on how to stand out from the crowd and boost your employability. The Work Experience issue (digital edition) also includes articles on how to make your work experience count.
  • Prospects - Empty CV Syndrome article explaining how to make the most of your skills and experience.

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Example CVs

We have produced some examples of different types of CVs below, to help you think about content, layout and how to demonstrate your skills. Please note that these are just examples - don't copy the content word-for-word, instead draw upon your own experiences.

Other useful examples

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CVs for specific sectors

General
Legal CVs – solicitor and general
  • TARGETjobs - Law - solicitors – includes recruiter tips on what they are looking for in candidates plus advice for successful applications.
  • Lawcareers.net - What firms are looking for article about the skills law firms look for in applicants.
  • Prospects - Prospects Law 09/10 (digital edition) - includes advice on writing CVs.          
Legal CVs – barrister
Scientific CVs

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Postgraduate and Academic CVs

Useful websites

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CVs for other countries

General
  • Prospects - country specific information – includes information on CVs and applications for different countries.
  • Bab.la - useful phrases for CV and covering letters in 14 different languages.
Europe
USA & Canada
  • Prospects - USA: applying for jobs – information on application methods and what to include in your CV/résumé.
  • Résumés & Interviews – US website containing articles and advice on writing résumés. Includes sample CVs.
  • Résumés and CVs – overview of US résumés and CVs with examples for different sectors from Columbia University Center for Career Education.
  • iAgora.com - CV – USA - advice on how to present a résumé for employers in the US.
  • Prospects - Canada: applying for jobs – information on application methods in Canada and what to include in your résumé.
Australia & New Zealand

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Need more help?

  • Pick up a free copy of the CVs and covering letters workbook or access it online (pdf).
  • Attend our careers workshop, ‘How to write your CV’.  For dates and times, see Events.
  • Get feedback on your CV or covering letter – support is available from 10.00am – 4.30pm, Monday - Friday; no appointment needed.
  • Visit the Writing Development Centre – English language advisers can help you with the structure and language of your writing. They won’t proofread your work but can help identify strengths and weaknesses and help with grammar, spelling and punctuation.

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