How to write a CV: Top tips for 2024

5 minute read

The job search process can be time-consuming and exhausting; however, having everything you need to secure an employment interview successfully is one way to ensure that you are purposeful and well-prepared. Because a CV (or curriculum vitae) is an employer's initial impression of your professional and academic credentials, you should structure it to highlight your accomplishments and experience concisely and strategically. If you're wondering how to write a CV for the first time or need to update your CV for a new job search, our two-part guide on how to write a CV can help you distinguish yourself from the crowd. Part two of our guide will be available next week.

What is a Curriculum Vitae?

A curriculum vitae, CV in its abbreviated form, is a Latin word for “course of life,” a descriptive document that highlights your professional background and academic achievements (qualifications, awards, certifications, licenses). A CV would typically emphasize your work experience, achievements, awards, scholarships, and grants you’ve obtained by merit or individual circumstances, as well as any volunteering and internships you’ve participated in. Depending on your professional and academic history, coursework, research projects, and noting any publications of your work are also excellent pieces of information to include.

A CV usually is two to three pages long; however, the length is mostly determined by a job applicant's seniority, such as mid-level or senior-level. Because it is widely assumed that seniority equals greater accomplishments, it would be more suitable for a senior applicant to have a longer CV. This is because a CV necessitates a comprehensive overview of your professional accomplishments up to the present.

Is a Resume and Curriculum Vitae the same thing?

A resume and a CV are often confused as the same thing and used interchangeably; however, they are different. A resume (originally derived from the French word résumé, meaning “summary” or “abstract”) is a formal document that provides an overview of your professional history and skills relevant to a position you are applying for. Based on this definition, it is understandable why people use both terms interchangeably given that both documents highlight work history, education, and a list of competencies and skills. However, there are three main resume formats: chronological, functional, and combined, while a CV only has one format: chronological.

Key Differences:

Curriculum Vitae	Resume
Latin - “course of life”	French - “summary,” “abstract”
Academic merits and qualifications oriented	Skills and experience oriented
One format	Three formats: chronological, functional, combined
Typically two to three pages, longer for more experience.	Typically one to two pages, one page is preferred and shouldn’t be longer than two pages.
The first section of the CV is education	Education is listed at the bottom of resumes (with experience).

Now that you have a refresher or a basic idea of a CV, let's look at how to revamp it.

The CV Format

Although your CV's appearance should be tailored to mirror the job specifications of the position you are interested in, there are imperative sections to be included in your CV to ensure that you write and present an effective CV to potential employers.

1️⃣ Basic Rules:

Your CV needs to be tailored to the position you are applying for.
Use keywords from the job specifications in your CV. For example, if applying for an entry-level Software Engineering role, include keywords such as Java, Python, and Web programming.
Always proofread your writing to avoid grammar and spelling errors.
Only include the last 10 years of professional experience unless earlier roles are highly relevant.
Choose a professional-looking layout and stick to it, using consistent font styles and sizes.
List your skills in bullet point format for readability.
Provide concise summaries of qualifications and personal information.
Use color sparingly for headers if desired but ensure consistency.

2️⃣ Personal Information:

Include a personal email address (avoid using a work email).
Provide a reachable mobile phone number, even if email is your preferred contact method.
Add a brief list of hobbies and interests (optional).
Link your LinkedIn profile and ensure it is up to date.

3️⃣ Professional Profile Section:

This section introduces who you are as a candidate, your experience, qualifications, skills, and aspirations. It should be 4-7 sentences long, approximately 200 words, and written in a consistent grammatical style. Avoid using personal pronouns.

4️⃣ Skills:

Highlight position-specific skills, avoiding generic ones that don’t add value.
Use keywords from the job description to optimize for application tracking systems (ATS).
Never list skills you do not possess.