CV = selection + hierarchy.
The best CV is not the one with the most information, but the one that makes the most useful information for the application easy to see.
CV / Curriculum Vitae: the guide to creating a successful CV
What is a CV? What should you include? In what order should you present your background? Which format should you choose? Find the essentials for building a clear, credible curriculum vitae tailored to the role you are targeting.
Understand the essentials before writing
A strong CV combines content and presentation
Your curriculum vitae has to tell the story of your background in very little space. The content selects the information that proves your fit for the role, while the presentation makes it easy to read and remember.
Purpose of the CVJob titleProfessional summaryWork experienceEducationTailor your CVSkillsInterestsChoose the right keywords
Do you know the definition?
What is a CV?
CV content
The essential sections of a strong CV
The exact structure depends on your profile, but some sections provide a solid foundation for most applications.
Contact details
First name, last name, phone number, email address and any useful information recruiters need to contact you easily.
Job title and summary
A clear target title and a few lines summarizing your value, experience or career objective.
Work experience
Roles, companies, dates, responsibilities and achievements that demonstrate your expertise.
Education
Degrees, training and certifications that provide context for your background.
Skills
Job-specific expertise, tools, technologies, methods and other skills related to your objective.
Languages
Indicate a clear proficiency level and, if relevant, any certification you hold.
Professional strengths
Select soft skills that are useful for the role and avoid overly generic lists.
Interests
An optional section that can add personality when it says something useful about you.
What order should you use?
Organize your CV around what sells your profile best
There is no single order that works for every candidate. A recent graduate may benefit from placing education near the top, while an experienced professional will often highlight recent roles first.
The most useful rule is simple: start with what helps the reader understand your application fastest. A recruiter should be able to identify your objective, level of experience and key strengths without searching for them.
- Experienced professional: Give more space to recent roles, results and responsibilities.
- Student or recent graduate: Education, internships, apprenticeships, projects and early skills may come before limited work experience.
- Career change: Highlight transferable skills and the elements that make your new direction credible.
Write stronger content
How can you write a more convincing CV?
The difference often comes down to precision. A vague experience looks like many others; a contextualized one helps the recruiter understand your real level.
Use clear job titles
The name of the role, course or skill should be immediately understandable. Avoid internal titles that only your former employer would recognize.
Describe what you actually did
Use concrete responsibilities: manage a portfolio, coordinate a team, produce reports, develop a feature, support clients, and so on.
Add context
Volume, team size, tools used, scope, frequency or results can turn a generic line into credible information.
Our tip
Instead of writing ‘Social media management’, write something like ‘Planned and published 4 posts per week on LinkedIn and Instagram, monitored performance and coordinated with the sales team’ when that accurately reflects your experience.
CV format
PDF, Word, A4: which format should you use to send a CV?
For a CV sent by email or uploaded to a platform, PDF remains a practical format because it preserves the layout from one device to another. It helps prevent fonts, margins or content blocks from shifting when the file is opened.
A4 remains a common standard in many markets and is convenient for printing. Before sending, check that the file opens correctly, the text is readable and the filename looks professional.
When applying through a platform, always follow the requested format. If an employer requires a specific file type, that instruction takes priority over your usual preference.
| Format | Benefit | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Preserves the layout and is easy to share. | Check text readability and file size. | |
| DOC/DOCX | May be requested by some recruiters or systems. | The layout can vary depending on the software. |
| Image | Useful for some visual purposes. | Avoid using it as the main format when the text needs to be parsed or searched. |
CV presentation
Useful design matters more than originality
Layout creates the first impression, but its main purpose is to guide the reader. Consistent section headings, regular margins, readable typography and enough spacing make a CV easier to scan.
Color can help structure the document and give it a visual identity, but it does not need to dominate. A simple CV can still be memorable when the hierarchy is clear and the content is relevant.
The best test is a quick scan: within a few seconds, someone should be able to spot your target role, recent experience, strongest skills and contact details.
Create a targeted CV
Why tailor your CV to each application?
Your background does not change from one job opening to another. However, the order and way you present information can change depending on the role.
Adapt the job title
Use a title that matches the role you are targeting rather than one that is too broad or too far from the wording in the job ad.
Highlight the right experience
Give more detail to responsibilities directly related to the employer's needs and shorten those that add less value.
Prioritize relevant skills
The recruiter should quickly see the tools, methods and expertise that match the target role.
What can get your application rejected
7 common mistakes that weaken a CV
1. Including too much information
An encyclopedic CV dilutes what matters. Select only what genuinely supports your objective.
2. Not stating the target role
Without a clear title, the recruiter has to guess your professional objective.
3. Describing responsibilities too vaguely
Generic verbs without context make it difficult to assess your actual level of experience.
4. Using inconsistent visual hierarchy
Different font sizes or styles in every section make the document harder to read.
5. Sending the same version everywhere
A targeted application highlights the skills expected for the role more effectively.
6. Skipping proofreading
Spelling, dates, contact details and overall consistency should be checked before every application.
7. Ignoring the filename
Use a simple filename such as Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf so the document is easy to identify.
CV example
A source of inspiration for content: what to include, how to phrase it and what deserves emphasis.
CV template
A visual structure you can fill in and customize: layout, visual hierarchy and final presentation.
Ready to turn these tips into a CV?
Curriculum Vitae FAQ
Frequently asked questions about CVs
What is the difference between a CV and a Curriculum Vitae?
There is no difference: CV is simply the abbreviation of Curriculum Vitae.
What should you include in a CV?
The most common sections are contact details, job title, professional summary, work experience, education and skills. Other sections can be added depending on your profile.
How many pages should a CV be?
The ideal length depends on your background and target market. In many cases, one page is a strong default. The main goal is to stay concise and keep only information that supports the application.
Which format should you use to send a CV?
PDF is convenient because it preserves the layout, unless a recruiter or application platform explicitly requests another format.
Should you include a photo on your CV?
A photo is not essential. If you choose to use one, select a professional image that fits the application context and local conventions.
Should you rewrite your CV for every job?
It is useful to adapt at least the title, professional summary, order of selected experiences and the skills you emphasize.