How to Format, Write, and Optimize Your CV

When applying for jobs and interviewing, you have a story to tell. But, amidst hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of applicants, you want to make sure you stand out in the pile of papers. Knowing how to write a CV properly can spell the difference between receiving an offer letter or being passed up for the job. 

So, we’re going to share what to include in a CV so you can showcase who you are and what you’ve accomplished in the best light possible. 

Source: Unsplash

What is a CV?

A CV stands for curriculum vitae. In Latin, it means, “course of life.” And, like the Latin meaning, that’s what a cover letter is. It’s a document that shares your full academic history, along with your professional experience.

While a resume is more geared around your skills and qualifications for a specific job, a curriculum vitae places an emphasis on education. The difference between a CV and a resume also depends on where you are. For most American jobs, hiring managers will request a resume, whereas, in Europe, a CV is more commonly used to denote job application documents. 

Additionally, a CV is more commonly requested from individuals who are seeking fellowships, postdoctoral positions, teaching positions, and/or high-level research positions. Hence, it’s centered around academic history over skills. 

How to Write a CV

Now that you know what a CV is, let’s get into how to make a CV for a job.

Choose the Format 

A CV consists of a lot of information, so you want to make sure that you’re laying it out in a way that’s going to be easy to scan and read for the recipient. There’s no single way to format a CV, but the best practices are to:

• Keep clear and consistent headings 
• Make sure there’s white space (empty space so it doesn’t look too crowded) 
• Save your CV as a PDF 

Create Your Layout 

Out of everything you include in your CV, the most important details are your contact information because that’s how the employer is going to be able to reach out to you to move forward. Be sure to place your contact information at the top of the page and double-check that everything is correct. 

Grab Attention 

It’s optional to include a Summary or Objective section in your CV. This is like an elevator pitch to show off who you are in just a few sentences (think 2-3 sentences). It’s best to include an objective or summary if you have at least two years of work experience. 

What to Include in a CV 

Once you have your layout in place, it’s time to start filling out the blank page. Here’s a review of what you should include in your CV. 

Contact information

As mentioned, your contact information is crucial. Be sure to include your full name, email address, phone number, location, and professional title (if you have one). If you have social media accounts that are work-related or relevant to the position or your skills, then be sure to add those to your CV too. 

Education

Along with your contact information, the education section of your CV proves to be exceedingly important (just like your education itself). Be sure to include your program name (what you majored in), the university (be it online like University of the People or in-person), and when you attended/graduated. If you earned a good GPA (more on what’s considered a good college GPA here), you can include it on your CV, too. More optional additions include academic achievements, any minor you may have pursued, and any Honors you were awarded with. 

Work Experience

Many recruiters and hiring managers will focus on the work experience section of your CV (or resume). As such, be sure to include important details, like job title, company name, location, date employed, and key responsibilities. More important than listing your responsibilities is to shine a spotlight on your achievements and the value you added to the position. This is where recruiters and hiring managers can understand how you’ll be a good fit for the open position. 

Skills

Include your hard skills (technical skills) and soft skills (personal attributes) within the Skills section. This helps those reviewing your CV to understand what kind of person you are and how you’d fit within the company’s culture, along with your capabilities. 

Interests/Languages

You have the option to include your personal interests and languages (recommended) as part of your CV to add more color and personality to the page. Additionally, speaking, reading, or writing other languages could give you a competitive edge. 

References

Last but not least, you can include a line in your CV that reads “references available upon request.” This way, if you move forward with the hiring process, you’ll be able to provide references should you be asked. Don’t forget to ask your references for permission to put them down in the event that they will be contacted. 

Best Practices to Keep in Mind

That’s a lot to keep in mind, but before you get started creating your very own CV, add these bullets to your memory: 

• Use keywords so that if your prospective employer is using AI or tech to skim through CVs, yours will be noted 
• Spell everything out so that there are no unknown acronyms that can cause confusion 
• Double-check grammar and spelling as you’re making your first impression! 

Source: Unsplash

Create Your CV

Knowing how to write a CV is the first step to getting any job, fellowship, or research position that you’re seeking. Your CV is meant to tell your story and persuade the reader to move forward in the hiring process with you. In essence, it’s a sales pitch, and it’s up to you to create a stellar one. With this guide in mind, you’re ready to write your very own CV and (hopefully) get that position!