How to Write a Job-Winning Professional CV

A well-crafted CV (Curriculum Vitae) is your personal marketing tool. It gives employers a first impression of your skills, experience, and professionalism. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you write a CV that gets noticed — and gets you interviews.

1. Start with a Strong Personal Profile

Your personal profile (or summary) should be a short paragraph at the top of your CV highlighting who you are, your key strengths, and your career goals.

2. List Your Contact Information

• Full name
• Phone number
• Email address (professional, not slang)
• LinkedIn profile (optional)
• City & Country (you don’t need your full address)

3. Highlight Your Work Experience

List your work history in reverse-chronological order (most recent job first). For each role, include:

• Job Title
• Company Name
• Dates of Employment
• Key responsibilities and achievements (use bullet points)

4. Include Your Educational Background

Mention your academic history, including:

• Degree or Qualification
• Institution Name
• Year of Graduation or Completion
• Any honors or awards (if applicable)

5. Add Relevant Skills

This section helps employers quickly see what you’re capable of. Include both technical (hard) skills and soft skills that relate to the job you’re applying for.

• Computer literacy
• Languages spoken
• Project management
• Communication and teamwork

6. Certifications or Courses (Optional but Recommended)

If you’ve taken any relevant online courses, workshops, or certifications, include them to show continuous learning.

7. References (Optional)

You can write “Available upon request” or list 1–2 professional references with their permission.

8. Formatting Tips

• Keep your CV to 1–2 pages.
• Use a clean, readable font (like Arial or Calibri).
• Keep margins consistent and use bullet points for easy scanning.
• Save your CV as a PDF before sending.

Final Thoughts

Tailor your CV for every job you apply to. Use keywords from the job ad and focus on what makes you the best fit. A great CV doesn’t just list qualifications — it tells your story.