How to Create a Winning Professional CV

Introduction

Your CV (or resume) is your first chance to make a positive impression on employers. In fact, a well-crafted CV can be the difference between landing an interview and being passed over. As one expert notes, your CV is "the first and only thing you have to represent you at the start" of the hiring process, so it must clearly showcase why you're an ideal candidate. It should be concise, tailored to the job, and free of errors (even a "one-letter typo can cost you the job"). Modern hiring often uses Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), so structuring your CV in a standard, reverse-chronological format helps ensure its content (job titles, dates, keywords) is easily parsed. ResumeRight's tools and templates are designed around these best practices: using Word-format, ATS-friendly layouts that highlight your key skills and education.

Many online resume builders (including ResumeRight's) offer pre-formatted, ATS-optimized templates. These use simple, clean layouts that emphasize sections like Skills, Education, and Experience. As Jobscan explains, entry-level templates are designed "to help you make a strong first impression" by using layouts that highlight your skills and qualifications so the ATS will pass your resume along. Microsoft similarly advises that its free ATS-friendly Word templates can "help your resume get past" automated filters. The rest of this guide walks you step-by-step through each CV section – from contact info to optional extras – with actionable tips and examples.

US vs UK CV Conventions

Although US and UK job applications are similar, there are a few differences to note:

• Terminology and length: In the US, people generally use the term "resume" for job applications (unless applying in academia, where "CV" is used). US resumes are typically short and focused (often 1–2 pages) with only job-relevant details. In the UK, the document is usually called a "CV", and while traditional CVs could be lengthy, today most UK CVs are also kept to about 2 pages by emphasizing relevant achievements.
• Personal information: In the UK, it has been common to list a full address and even a photo, but modern practice (in both countries) is to omit personal details like date of birth, marital status, or a photo to avoid bias. Instead, you can simply list your city/town (and country if needed) so employers know your general location. In the US, you need not give a full address – usually just city and state are fine.
• Spelling and language: Use consistent spelling for the country you're targeting (e.g. "organise" in British English, "organize" in American English). Also, note terms like "internship" (commonly used in the US) versus "work placement" or "training" (often said in the UK). Adapt any terminology (e.g. GCSEs/A-levels vs. high school diploma, UK grades vs. US GPA) to what the employer expects.
• Objective vs. personal statement: Entry-level US resumes sometimes include a brief Objective, stating your career goal, while UK CVs often begin with a Personal Statement or Profile. Both serve the same purpose: to summarize who you are and what you offer. We cover this in the next section.

Contact Information

Your contact info goes at the very top. This is crucial – "even if you're the most qualified person…, it won't matter if the hiring manager can't contact you". Include:

• Full Name: Use your full legal name as on official documents.
• Phone Number: Include your mobile number (with country code for international roles).
• Email Address: Provide a professional-sounding email (ideally firstname.lastname@...). Avoid nicknames or outdated addresses. Do not use your current work or university email.
• Location: At minimum list city and state (US) or city and country (UK). You can note "open to relocation to [City, Country]" if applying elsewhere. Don't include your full street address or exact neighborhood – city-level is enough.
• LinkedIn/Portfolio (optional): If you have an updated LinkedIn profile or a relevant portfolio/GitHub, include the URL. Only list social links that showcase your work or professionalism.

Tips: Double-check all contact details for typos (even one wrong digit or letter can cost you the job). Keep the style simple and consistent (same font and size as the rest of the CV). Avoid any personal data beyond the above; for example, do not list your date of birth, marital status, or a photo.

Personal Statement / Objective

Under your contact info, write a brief profile (2–3 sentences) that sums up your background, goals, and what you bring to the role. (UK CVs call this a Personal Statement, US entry-level resumes often use an Objective or Summary.) Tailor it to the job: mention your degree/field and one or two key skills or experiences. For example: "Recent marketing graduate with internship experience in digital analytics, skilled in Excel and social media campaigns, seeking to contribute to [Company]'s marketing team." This should convey enthusiasm and a clear goal without using "I" statements.

• Focus on the employer's needs: State what you can offer. Indeed advises, "provide a personal statement detailing your objectives and what you bring to the role".
• Keep it concise: Make it about you and the role (not generic lines like "hard-working team player" without context). Use keywords from the job advert if relevant (e.g. specific software or skills).
• Examples vs. cliches: Avoid vague buzzwords. Instead of "ambitious and creative," say how ("Organized campus events, gaining leadership experience in project management"). Keep the tone confident but not arrogant.

Education

For entry-level roles, education is often a strength. List your academic qualifications in reverse-chronological order (most recent first). Include:

• Degree/Qualification: e.g. "BSc Biology (2:1)" or "High School Diploma".
• Institution: Name of college/university (and its location/city). For US candidates, list school and major; for UK, list A-levels/GCSEs only if you have no further education. UK guidelines note that once you have a university degree, you can usually omit secondary school.
• Dates: Month and year of attendance/graduation. If you haven't graduated yet, write "Expected [Month Year]".
• Honors/Grades: If you have a strong GPA or class honors (e.g. "First Class Honors"), include them, especially if applying in academia or a field that values grades. For example: "BSc Mathematics, University of X (First Class Honours, 2024)".
• Relevant coursework/projects (if applicable): If you took courses directly related to the job (like "Advanced Robotics" for an engineering role) or completed a significant project/dissertation, you can list a brief line about it. Entry-level CVs often benefit from highlighting specialized subjects.

Tips: Tailor your education section to the role: if you're a recent graduate with little work experience, place Education above Experience. Otherwise, it can go after your experience. Use a clean format (school name in bold, with degree/title and dates). Consistency is key – use the same date format throughout.

Skills

Create a short Skills section listing your relevant abilities. Use bullet points or a simple list (columns can work too). Combine both hard skills (technical) and soft skills:

• Hard/Technical Skills: Software, languages, tools, or technical competencies directly mentioned in the job description. For example: "Java, Python, Microsoft Excel, Adobe Photoshop, Lab Techniques."
• Soft/Transferable Skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, etc. However, contextualize them. Instead of listing "Leadership," say something that demonstrates it (that can be in Work/Activities, not here). In the Skills section, you might list "Strong Communication" or "Time Management," but make sure these also come through in your experience bullets.
• Keywords: Use the exact wording from the job ad where possible. Many ATS scans look for specific terms. (Jobscan advises identifying keywords in the job description and including them naturally.)

Tips: Keep it concise (4–8 bullet points is fine). Avoid overly generic skills that any candidate would claim (e.g. "Microsoft Office" alone is less valuable – instead say "Advanced Excel (PivotTables, VLOOKUP)"). Don't just say "good communicator" in Skills – illustrate it later. Listing languages (e.g. "Spanish – Intermediate") or certifications here (or a separate "Certifications" section) can also be useful if relevant.

Work/Internship Experience

List your work history and internships in reverse-chronological order (most recent first). For each role, include: employer, job title, location, and dates (month/year start–end). Under each, use 2–4 bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements. For entry-level applicants, include any part-time jobs, internships, or significant volunteer work – all relevant experience counts.

• Use action verbs: Start bullets with strong verbs (e.g. "Led," "Created," "Organized," "Assisted," "Improved"). Avoid overused phrases like "responsible for." As Jobscan suggests, begin with action words to clearly convey impact.
• Show results: Whenever possible, quantify achievements. For example, "Increased event attendance by 30% through targeted social media marketing," or "Managed inventory for 3,000 items, reducing stock shortages by 15%." Even for volunteer or project roles, frame what you accomplished.
• Be relevant: Tailor bullet points to the job you want. If you were a barista but applying for an engineering internship, you could emphasize teamwork, customer service, and problem-solving from that job.
• Formatting: Keep bullet points concise (one sentence each). Use the STAR method mindset (Situation-Task-Action-Result) to ensure each point has context and outcome.
• Gaps and Lack of Experience: If you have gaps or little formal experience, you can note freelance projects or explain short gaps in one line (especially if due to study or travel). The UK National Careers service notes that short gaps are normal and you can move on.

Tips: Use consistent tenses (current roles in present tense, past roles in past tense). Keep formatting uniform (all bullets aligned, same style).

Optional Sections (Certifications, Projects, Volunteering, etc.)

After the core sections above, you can add any relevant extras:

• Certifications: If you've earned professional certifications (e.g. Cisco CCNA, Google Analytics, CPR certification), list them in a short section titled "Certifications." Such credentials "demonstrate your passion and provide evidence of your expertise" to employers. Only include ones relevant to the job.
• Projects: For students or recent grads, a brief "Projects" section can highlight academic or personal projects. For example, describe a capstone project, research, or a coding side-project, focusing on what you did and learned. This shows initiative and skills.
• Volunteer/Extracurricular: Include noteworthy volunteer work or leadership roles (e.g. club president, sports team captain) that develop transferable skills. The UK guidance suggests adding interests or hobbies only if they demonstrate skills (like leadership or organization). For instance: "Vice President of Robotics Club – coordinated team of 12 to design competition robots (leadership, teamwork)."
• Languages: If you speak multiple languages, list them (with proficiency levels). This can be valuable in international roles.
• References: You can note "References available on request" if space allows, but it's optional. Never list referees' contact details without permission.

Tips: Only include these sections if they strengthen your candidacy. Keep them brief – usually just a line or two per item. Extra sections should not outweigh the main sections.

Formatting & ATS Compatibility

How your CV looks is almost as important as what's on it. Use a clean, consistent format that both human readers and ATS software can easily process. Key guidelines:

• Layout: Stick to a simple, traditional format. Use standard section headings like "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills," etc. (the ATS recognizes these). Avoid tables, text boxes, or graphics as they can confuse ATS scanners.
• Fonts and Styles: Choose a legible font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, etc.) at 11pt or 12pt. Use bold or slightly larger font for section headings and your name, but keep the overall style uniform. Do not use multiple fonts or excessive colors. Jobscan specifically warns against uncommon fonts or colors that ATS may skip.
• Bullets and Spacing: Use bullet points to break up text. They make your duties and achievements scannable. Keep paragraphs (like your personal statement) to a couple of sentences. Use 1.0–1.15 line spacing and leave some white space margins (0.5–1 inch) to avoid a cluttered look.
• Length: For entry-level, 1 page is ideal, but 2 pages are acceptable if you have enough relevant experience. Whatever the length, the content must be sharp and focused – it's better to cut unnecessary detail than to pad out the CV.
• File format: Save and submit your CV as a .docx (Word) file for maximum ATS compatibility, unless the employer explicitly asks for PDF. Word is preferred because many ATS parse Word documents better. (Resume templates provided by ResumeRight and others are in Word format for this reason.) If you do use PDF, ensure it's text-based (not a scanned image).

Tips: Tailor each CV to the job. Don't send the same generic CV everywhere. Instead, tweak your keywords and highlights to match each job description. Proofread carefully – consistency in dates (e.g. "May 2023" vs "May '23") and spelling is essential. Finally, use active voice and strong language throughout.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Typos and Grammar Errors: Always have someone else proofread. Even a small typo in your contact info can eliminate you.
• Unprofessional Details: Never include personal data like age, nationality, or a photo. Use a professional email address (no nicknames).
• Weak Language: Don't use first-person or vague phrases. For example, instead of writing "I was responsible for selling products," say "Sold products worth $X to achieve…". Avoid clichés like "hard worker" without examples.
• Poor Formatting: Don't cram too much text or use tiny fonts. Avoid tables or images (they can't be read by ATS).
• Irrelevant Information: Focus only on what's relevant to the job. Skip unrelated hobbies or outdated skills. Jobscan warns: don't include irrelevant info; stick to skills, experience, and accomplishments that match the role.
• Ignoring ATS: Don't forget that many employers use ATS filters. If you submit a PDF with unusual formatting or use a nonstandard section title (like "What I've Done"), the ATS might skip it. Use conventional headings.
• Long Sentences: Don't write giant paragraphs. Recruiters may only glance briefly (statistics suggest ~7 seconds), so bullet lists and keywords are key.

Free Entry-Level CV Template

To get started quickly, ResumeRight provides a free CV template (Word .docx) optimized for entry-level applicants. This template uses a clean, ATS-friendly design with the sections outlined above. Download our CV template here to fill in your details. (The format follows Microsoft's and industry leading advice for resumes that easily pass ATS checks.)

With a strong CV in hand, you can confidently apply to jobs knowing you've showcased your qualifications in the best possible way. ResumeRight's tools and this guide help ensure your first impression is a winning one. Good luck!