A CV is one of the initial documents that you will be required to provide in case you are seeking employment. But what does CV stand for? CV means curriculum vitae, which is a Latin term that translates into course of life. This document summarizes your education, labor experience, abilities, and accomplishments, so that you can make yourself look like the most suitable candidate for a position.
The term resume is more popular in certain countries, especially the USA and Canada. Although the two documents are used for the same purpose, they differ in length, details, and structure. We will dissect how to write a CV, what should be included, what skills to add to a CV, and how the tools, such as Resume Worded, Top Resume, and Canva Resume, can simplify it in this guide.
What Does CV Stand For?
As noted, CV is an abbreviation of curriculum vitae, which means course of life. A CV can take two or more pages, unlike a resume, which is normally a single page and is brief.
Curriculum Vitae vs Resume:
- A curriculum vitae (CV) is more comprehensive and is more widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It entails education, studies, publications, abilities, and employment experience.
- A resume (in the U.S. and Canada) will be shorter and more job-specific.
When you apply abroad, you should learn which of the two is expected: a resume or a CV.
How Long Should a CV Be?
No universal answer should be considered, however, as a general rule of thumb:
- Applicants and students at the entry level: 1 or 1.5 pages.
- Professionals: 2 pages is normal.
- Scholars, health care workers, or top managers: 3 or more pages can be good enough.
The recruiters usually take under 10 seconds to skim through your CV; therefore, it has to be brief but effective.
How to Write a CV Step by Step
A CV can be a daunting task, but once you use a systematic way of doing it, it becomes far less difficult.
1. Contact Details
Include:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- CVs, career profiles, and LinkedIn link.
- Portfolio/site (where applicable)
Do NOT leave your date of birth, marital status, or a photo (except when responding to acting, modeling jobs, or similar occupations in which a photo is mandatory).
2. Personal Statement (CV Profile)
This is a 3-5 sentence summary at the top of your CV where you point out:
- Your key achievements
- Core skills
- Career goals
Example:
High-achieving graduate in marketing with 2 years of experience in digital marketing, search and content strategy. Knowledgeable on Canva Resume templates and Resume Worded programs to produce impressive presentations. I want to work in a vibrant agency where I would have an opportunity to develop the best resume campaigns for the world-renowned brands.
3. Education
Indicate your educational credentials in a reverse chronological order (current one first). Include:
- Degree title
- University/college
- Years attended
- Grades (if strong or relevant)
- Relevant modules or projects.
4. Work Experience
Present your career history in reverse chronological order. For each role, list:
- Job title
- Company name
- Dates of employment
- 3-5 bullets of what you have done and accomplished.
Active verbs such as led, managed, created, designed, achieved, and implemented must be used.
Example:
Planned advertisement programs that boosted internet traffic by 35 percent within 6 months.
Supervised a group of 5 interns, educating them on SEO and online tools.
5. Skills and Achievements
One of the questions is: what should be placed on CV? Employers are seeking a combination of hard skills (technical skills) and soft skills (interpersonal skills).
Hard skills examples:
- Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Computer languages (Python, Java, SQL)
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Data analysis
- Foreign languages
Soft skills examples:
- Leadership
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Adaptability
Hack: Customize the skills section according to the job description. Programs such as Resume Worded can compare your resume with job listings and suggest the skills to include.
6. Interests and Hobbies
Although this is optional, it can make you shine through where necessary. Rather than saying that I read or listened to music, I put things that emphasize transferable skills.
Examples:
Operating a personal blog (writing and content creation skills)
Working in a climate change NGO (leadership and teamwork) (volunteer work).
Coding of mobile apps (technical skills and innovation)
7. References
At this point, you do not need to involve referees. Even a mere statement like “References available upon request will suffice.
How to Format a CV
Formatting is crucial. Although you can have the right content, bad formatting may cost you an interview.
- Font should be professional and clear (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman).
- Use font size of 10-12.
- Use large headings and bullets to make it easier to read.
- Keep margins at 2.5 cm all around.
- Add as a PDF or Word (.docx) according to the requirements of the employer.
Canva Resume templates have free and professional designs in case you want a fast design.
How to Alleviate Gaps in Your CV.
Career breaks occur- either by travelling, sickness, caring, or by seeking employment. This is known to the employers, but you would have to do it right.
Tips:
- Be frank but concise with the cause.
- Concentrate on the acquired skills in the course of the break (volunteering, freelancing, online courses).
- Add transferable experiences in the section of Skills or Education.
Example:
Took a 12-month career break to do online data analytics and project management courses, volunteering with a community development program.
Optimizing Your CV for AI & ATS
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used to sieve candidates by recruiters. Without the right keywords in your CV, you may never see a human recruiter.
To beat ATS systems:
- Insert specific keys in the job description.
- Please do not use pictures, tables, and elaborate graphics (ATS is not able to read them).
- Use simple formatting.
- Store in a format that is approved by the recruiter.
One of the websites that specializes in ATS-compatible CV analysis is Top Resume and Resume Worded.
Top Five CV Stompers.
- Bad format: CVs contain a lot of cluttered layouts that are difficult to read.
- Generic CVs: This is unacceptable; you must always customize your CV to suit the job.
- Spelling errors: Proofread every word; spelling mistakes indicate a lack of concentration.
- Embellishing experience: When lies are found, they are easy to detect, and you may lose the job.
- Weak evidence: Support statements with figures or actual examples.
Can You Use AI to Write a CV?
Yes, but with caution. Tools like Canva Resume and Resume Worded can help with structure, wording, and design. However, your CV should still reflect your own voice and experiences.
Use AI for:
- Drafting bullet points
- Suggesting action verbs
- Proofreading
- Formatting
Avoid using AI to:
- Fabricate achievements
- Write your entire CV without edits
- Copy generic text
Recruiters are skilled at spotting robotic, AI-generated CVs. Always make final edits to ensure authenticity.
Where to Get Help with Your CV
If you’re a student, check your university’s careers service for free support. If you’re a professional, platforms like Top Resume offer free CV reviews, while Resume Worded provides automated feedback. Canva also offers ready-to-use Canva Resume templates for creative, professional designs.
Final Thoughts
A strong CV is your personal marketing tool. Knowing how to write a CV that highlights your achievements, aligns with job descriptions, and passes through ATS filters can dramatically improve your chances of landing interviews.
Remember:
- Tailor your CV to each role.
- Use action-driven language.
- Highlight relevant skills to put on CV.
- Keep formatting clean and professional.
- Leverage tools like Resume Worded, Top Resume, and Canva Resume for optimization and design.
Whether you call it a curriculum vitae or résumé, the goal remains the same: to sell your abilities effectively and get you one step closer to your dream career.
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