Ultimate Guide to Writing a Professional CV
A step-by-step guide to creating a CV that gets noticed.
What a CV Is (and Isn’t)
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a summary of your skills and experience, designed to show employers why you’re the best fit for a role. Keep it relevant and results-focused — it's not a life story. For entry-level, aim for 1 page; for experienced professionals, 2 pages is the maximum.
The Ideal CV Structure
Follow this structure for a professional and easy-to-read CV.
Formatting Best Practices
A clean format makes your CV easy to read for both recruiters and software.
| Element | Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Font | Use modern, clean fonts (Calibri, Arial, Exo 2, Helvetica). |
| Size | 10.5–12 pt for body, 14–16 pt for headings. |
| Layout | Keep clear spacing (1.15–1.5 line spacing) and ~2 cm margins. |
| File format | PDF preferred to preserve formatting. |
| Length | 1–2 pages maximum. |
| Style | Professional, with minimal use of colour. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using one CV for all applications – always tailor it.
Listing duties instead of achievements.
Poor grammar or spelling errors.
Overly designed templates that confuse ATS.
Missing contact info or using an unprofessional email address.
Quick CV Checklist
Before you send your CV, run through this final checklist.