How to Create a Professional CV in 2024: Step-by-Step Guide
Master the art of CV writing with our comprehensive guide. Learn formatting tips, essential sections, and common mistakes to avoid.
What Makes a Great CV?
A great CV is clear, concise, and tailored to the job you're applying for. It should highlight your most relevant experience and skills while being easy to scan quickly. Recruiters spend an average of just 7 seconds on initial CV screening, so making a strong first impression is crucial.
Essential CV Sections
1. Contact Information
Include your full name, phone number, professional email, LinkedIn profile, and location (city only).
2. Professional Summary
Write 2-3 sentences that summarize your experience, key skills, and what you bring to the role. This is your elevator pitch—make it count!
Good Example:
"Results-driven marketing manager with 8+ years of experience in digital marketing and brand strategy. Proven track record of increasing online engagement by 150% and driving $2M+ in revenue growth. Seeking to leverage expertise in data-driven marketing at a growth-stage company."
3. Work Experience
List your work history in reverse chronological order. For each position, include:
- Job title and company name
- Employment dates (month/year)
- 3-5 bullet points of achievements (not just duties)
- Quantifiable results whenever possible
4. Education
Include your degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework. Recent graduates should place this section higher.
5. Skills
List relevant technical skills, soft skills, languages, and tools. Tailor this section to match the job description.
CV Formatting Best Practices
Do This
- • Use a clean, professional font
- • Keep it to 1-2 pages maximum
- • Use consistent formatting
- • Include white space for readability
- • Save as PDF to preserve formatting
- • Use bullet points for achievements
- • Quantify your accomplishments
Avoid This
- • Using unprofessional email addresses
- • Including a photo (in most countries)
- • Writing in first person ("I")
- • Using generic phrases like "team player"
- • Including irrelevant hobbies
- • Lying or exaggerating
- • Using fancy fonts or colors
Power Words for Your CV
Use action verbs to start your bullet points. Here are some powerful options:
Common CV Mistakes to Avoid
- Spelling and grammar errors: Always proofread multiple times.
- Generic content: Tailor your CV for each application.
- Too long or too short: Aim for 1-2 pages depending on experience.
- Missing keywords: Include terms from the job description.
- Poor formatting: Use consistent fonts, spacing, and alignment.
CV Templates for Different Industries
Different industries have different expectations. Our CV builder offers 8 professional templates:
- Modern: Clean design for tech and creative roles
- Classic: Traditional format for corporate positions
- Executive: Sophisticated style for senior roles
- Creative: Bold design for marketing and design jobs
- Minimal: Simple layout for any industry
- Timeline: Chronological focus for career progression
- Compact: Dense format to fit more content
- Elegant: Refined style for professional services