CV Structure and Content Guidelines

CV Structure and Content

• The top section of your CV should include your name, professional title, and contact details (email address, phone number, town, and country).
• Do not title your CV with "Curriculum Vitae", "CV", or "Resume"; instead, use your name as the title.
• Omit "Personal Details" as a separate section; instead, add your contact information below your name.
• Marital status and date of birth should only be included when required by the job advertisement.

What Information to Include in Your CV

• Education should be listed in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent qualification.
• Include the name of the institution, dates attended, degree, and grades achieved.
• If you have a degree, you can list relevant courses, modules, and projects underneath (optional).
• Work experience should be listed in reverse chronological order, with each position including job title, employer, dates worked, and a brief summary of the role.
• Skills to mention include languages, computing, and analytical skills, and should be relevant to the job you're applying for.
• Volunteer experience or leadership can be included as an optional section, highlighting experiences that demonstrate leadership abilities.
• Interests and achievements can be included as an optional section, using bullet points to separate different types of interests.

References and Proofreading

• References are not required unless specified by the job advertisement.
• Normally, two referees are sufficient: one academic and one from an employer.
• Formatting style must be consistent throughout your CV.
• Proofread your CV to capture every mistake, as typos and inaccuracies can spoil your polished look.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Avoid spelling mistakes or typos (61% of CVs).
• Don't copy large amounts of wording from the job posting (41% of CVs).
• Use an appropriate email address (35% of CVs).
• Include a list of skills (30% of CVs).
• Avoid printing your CV on decorative paper (20% of CVs).
• Ensure your CV is tailored to the job (21% of CVs).

Learn about the best practices for structuring and writing a CV, including what to include and what to omit. Get tips on creating a professional and effective CV.