How To Write a CV: Tips, Tools, & Examples for 2024

A strong CV has long been one of the best ways to advance in specialized fields.

In areas like academia, research, law, and even when applying to graduate school, your CV serves as a comprehensive record of your academic and professional journey.

But CVs aren’t limited to specialized fields anymore—companies and organizations now ask for them when they need a more thorough record of specific experience.

Below, you'll learn how to write a CV. From the best practices for creating your base and writing your personal statement to how to add grants and incorporate fellowships. Whether updating an existing CV or starting from scratch, this guide will help you construct a document representing your expertise and potential.

Looking to write or update a CV? Try our AI Resume Builder to create one that aligns exceptionally well with every unique opportunity.

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Parts of a CV

A well-structured CV is essential for presenting your qualifications effectively. There are six parts that should always be included, and several optional sections that you may want to consider including depending on your professional background. 

It's vital to include the right sections in your CV, as missing key info can weaken your application. Writing a CV with clear, organized sections offers a holistic view of your qualifications, helping you stand out as a candidate.

Essential CV sections: Contact Information, Personal Statement, Work Experience, Education and Skills.

Optional CV sections: Research Interests/Objectives, Academic Background, Research Experience, Teaching Experience, Publications, Presentations and Conferences, Grants, Fellowships, and Awards, Professional Associations, Certifications and Licenses, Technical Skills, Languages, and References.

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How to write a CV

Whether you're writing your first CV or updating an existing one, learning how to write a CV comes down to two approaches: whether you want to create a base CV, or write a tailored CV that's unique to the job.

Now, when it comes to how to write a CV, you can do this in one of two ways:

• Create a base CV with every job, achievement, metric, skill, etc., which you then customize for each application by pulling the most relevant details.
• Create your CV from scratch each time you apply, tailoring it specifically to the role you're targeting.

While a base CV takes more time on the front end, it can help significantly cut the time it takes to apply for every unique job.

For ease, the how-to guide below is focused on creating your CV for a unique job—something you'll need to know how to do regardless of how you opt to build your CV.

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Step 1: Get organized

Getting organized is crucial before you start writing your CV. 

Here are four things to do before you start:

1. Gather career details: Make sure you have current and accurate company details, start and end dates, each job title, quantifiable contributions, and a list of skills.
2. Document education: Take note of schools attended, degrees earned, and all current certifications. If you're a recent graduate, jot down courses, awards (or qualifications if you're outside the US), your GPA, and projects.
3. Compile online profiles: Create a list of online profiles, including LinkedIn, websites, or portfolio links.
4. Build your base: If you're planning on creating a base CV, you'd then put all of this information into a CV builder, doc, or CV template.

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Step 2: Decide how to format your CV 

The layout of your CV is the foundation. The format you use helps shape the presentation of your experience. The best CV formats ensure you highlight your qualifications clearly and thoroughly.

Reverse chronological CV

A reverse chronological CV is the most widely recognized format used, as it presents your career experience in a clear, linear progression, making it easy for hiring managers to read.

Skills-based CV

If you're just starting out, pivoting careers, or working in an industry where tools and software are a focus, a skills-based CV might be appropriate. In a skills-based CV, the skills section is organized just above your Career or Work Experience section.

In choosing your format, consider your career, what you're applying for, and which design best conveys your accomplishments.

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Step 3: Choose a CV design

Your CV presentation goes beyond content. The look, feel, and readability shape a first impression. As you create a CV, you need to consider elements like spacing, font, margins, and more. Traditionally CVs are often two columns, so planning for this is a must.

If you're using a CV builder or customizable Resume Builder, a lot of these pieces are considered and customizable after you've input your details—saving time and skipping manual work. But if you're building a CV outside of a streamlined builder, here are some tips:

1. Use a template: Free CV templates help maintain a consistent format and make your CV visually appealing right from the start.
2. Keep it clear: Clarity is key. Use simple fonts and consistent formatting to make your CV easy to read. Avoid overcrowding the page with text.
3. Include white space: Adequate spacing between sections makes your CV easier to scan and prevents it from looking cluttered.
4. Use bullet points: Bullet points are a great way to highlight your professional success without a block of overwhelming text.

Once you've organized your assets, potentially uploaded them all in one central location (depending on the method you've chosen), and selected a format, it's time to start writing.

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Step 4: Add contact information

The first section is your Contact Information section, which should always be structured at the top of your CV. It might sound simple, but one wrong number or character in your email address could potentially prevent a committee, hiring manager, or recruiter from being able to reach you for a follow-up or job interview. 

How to write the contact information on a CV

1. Full name
2. Phone number
3. City and State (If you're outside the US, consider opting for your full physical address.)
4. Professional email address
5. LinkedIn profile URL 
6. Portfolio or personal website URL (if applicable)

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Example of how to format the contact section

Full name as your CV header
Location | Phone number | Email address | LinkedIn URL | Portfolio or website URL

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Step 5: Write your personal statement

Your CV personal statement is a brief summary that highlights your top accomplishments, skills, and qualifications. When writing a  personal statement, you’ll want to make sure to tailor it  to the job application, and include relevant language and keywords from the job description. 

How to write a CV personal statement:

1. Keep it brief; between three to five sentences
2. Use the first-person voice
3. Use action verbs that indicate movement. For example, words like "developed" and "executed"
4. Avoid generic buzzwords or clichés
5. Align your statement with the rest of your CV

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How to write a CV personal statement with no experience:

If you're new to your career, writing a CV personal statement without relevant work experience means you need to concentrate on other achievements. You’ll want to utilize the same framework above, however you’ll want to consider focusing on these areas:

• Coursework with tangible skills
• Projects and the outcome
• Relevant volunteer experience
• Leadership roles in clubs or organizations
• Certifications you've obtained
• Software and tools you've used

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CV personal statement examples

Need some inspiration on what a personal statement for a CV should look like? Here's three personal statement examples to help you get started.

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Example academic personal statement for CV:

With 10+ years of experience in cognitive psychology, my teaching philosophy centers on fostering critical thinking and inclusivity. I developed a focused approach to research, executing over 10 studies using mixed-methods methodologies to explore cognitive development in diverse learning environments. This work resulted in three peer-reviewed publications and a 15% increase in student engagement through active learning strategies while mentoring over 20 graduate students in applying evidence-based research methods to their studies and professional growth.

Personal statement example for CV with no experience:

As a recent biology graduate with a minor in statistics, I bring hands-on experience in cutting-edge genetic research techniques. While at Purdue, I developed a novel CRISPR gene editing approach that improved editing efficiency by 18% in model organisms. I'm proficient in PCR, gel electrophoresis, and next-generation sequencing, with practical application through advanced lab courses and a summer internship at Purdue's Genomics Center. I'm also experienced in research communication, having presented findings at two regional conferences and co-authored a peer-reviewed article on emerging gene therapy technologies.

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Step 6: Build your Work Experience section

If you're following the reverse chronological CV format, the next section to write is your Work Experience section. The purpose of a Work Experience section is to bridge your background with the opportunity you're applying for—emphasizing your career's depth, relevance, and impact.

Here's how to write work experience on a CV:

1. Focus on relevant experience: Every position and achievement you highlight should be relevant to the role.‍
2. Use quantifiable achievements in bullet points: Focusing on metrics, numbers, and impact in your Work Experience section provides concrete evidence of your contributions. Quantifiable bullet points demonstrate the actual difference you made in your roles, demonstrate value, show clear impact, and provide concrete evidence of success.‍
3. Maintain consistency for each role: Keep the structure across each role consistent. You'll want to include the following information for each role: Company name, Job title, Location, Dates of employment, and 3-5 achievements as bullet points.

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Pro Tip: Struggling to format your achievements for your work experience? Use this formula to help you get it right:

Action Verb + Noun + Metric + [Optional Strategy] + Outcome = 1 bullet point

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‍CV achievements examples

Developed a data analysis pipeline using Python and Pandas that improved the accuracy of experimental results by 15%, leading to more reliable findings and 3X publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Developed and implemented a laboratory management system using LabArchives that optimized resource tracking and utilization, reducing lab material waste by 15% and lowering operational costs by $20,000 annually.

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Teal Note: If you're applying outside of the US, your career experience section may be more comprehensive and include additional details like job responsibilities. It also might need to cover other non-relevant experiences in a specific order. These details depend on the best practices in the region you're applying and your specific industry.

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Step 7:  Write your CV education section 

Next up is your CV Education section. This section is pretty straightforward and highlights your academic background and the foundational knowledge or specialized training needed for a specific position.

How to list education on a CV

Start your list with your highest level of education first (this usually flows in a reverse-chronological format), then move backward, listing each subsequent degree or educational qualification. 

For each degree or qualification include:

• University
• Year graduated
• Degree
• For international applicants, spell out the location and institution's name

Pro Tip: If you’re a recent or upcoming graduate, you’ll want to include Projects, Coursework, Honors or Awards, and your expected graduation date.

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CV education section example

Here’s an example of where your education should be listed on a CV. You’ll want to make sure your education is displayed in the right column, underneath your skills and above your certifications.

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Step 8: Write your CV Skills section

Utilize your skills section to highlight your strengths and technical abilities, providing hiring managers the opportunity to assess your qualifications for the role without reading your entire CV. 

The best skills to include in a CV Skills section are tangible skills such as: technical abilities, tools, languages, methodologies, and analytical techniques. To make it even easier to read, consider organizing them even further in categories based on skill type.

Pro Tip: While soft skills are also important, they are generally hard to measure. The best way to show soft skills is to incorporate them into other sections of your CV, such as your Personal Statement or Work Experience section to show how you used them for impact.

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CV skills section example

Here’s an example of what a skills section looks like on a CV. On a CV, the Skills section generally comes after your certifications. If you don't have relevant certifications to add to your CV, you’ll want to write your Skills section on the top right, before your Education section. 

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Step 9: Add optional sections

Now that you have all of the necessary CV sections, you might have additional relevant details you want to include, like publications and presentations, certifications, or additional teaching experience. Creating dedicated sections for this information is the key to keeping everything clear and readable. 

Here’s some optional sections you may want to include:

• Certifications
• Research
• Teaching Experience
• Publications and Presentations
• Awards
• Professional Affiliations or Memberships
• Volunteer Work

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How to write the optional sections on a CV

These optional sections should be added to your CV when they are relevant and support the job description.

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Certifications

Relevant certifications should be added to a dedicated CV Certification section. Showcasing your certifications will help highlight your credentials and expertise in a field.

How to write certifications on a CV

1. The name of the certification and any common acronyms or abbreviations (like CRA or TEFL)
2. The certification agency with business, institution, or organization name
3. The date the certification was completed

Example of certifications on a CV

Here's an example of how to format certifications on a CV.

Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
Research Administrators Certification Council
June 2023

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Research

CVs are often used for research positions like academic research roles, postdoctoral fellowships, or research scientist positions. These positions require more in-depth experience and expertise than listed on a traditional resume—which is why a CV is often preferred.

How to list research on a CV

In your Research CV section, highlight the following information:

• Projects completed: Detail the scope and objectives
• Your role(s) in each: Specify your responsibilities (e.g., principal investigator, co-investigator, or research assistant)
• Methodologies and frameworks: Describe the research methods and theoretical frameworks applied
• Findings or outcomes and impact: Summarize the key results, publications, or contributions
• Funding details or sources (if applicable): Include information on grants or funding sources that supported your research

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Teaching Experience

If you're applying for an academic position, your teaching background should be the focus of your Work Experience section. However, an additional Teaching Experience section might be worthwhile if you have positions that complement your background or if you're applying for roles where instruction is not the direct focus but still plays a relevant role.

How to write teaching experience on a CV

 In a Teaching experience section, be sure to include the following:

• Courses, workshops, or seminars
• Institutions or organizations
• Dates
• Specific accomplishments and results

Here's an example of a situation where this optional CV section makes sense:

Imagine you're an attorney applying for a graduate program in legal education, and you've also led workshops in your field. Including a Teaching Experience section allows you to highlight this instructional role, demonstrating your ability to lead and communicate complex ideas—skills crucial to success in a graduate program focused on legal education.

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Publications and Presentations

Publications and presentations provide tangible evidence of your expertise, especially in fields like healthcare and medicine, research, law, and education. More than just accomplishments, they prove your abilities through the recognition and validation of your work by others.

‍Types of publications to put on a CV:

• Peer-reviewed journal articles
• Book chapters
• Conference presentations
• Technical or Research reports

How to list publications on a CV

1. List publications in reverse chronological order using a consistent citation format (like APA or MLA).
2. Include your name (bold it if you're one of multiple authors), publication year, title, journal/book name, and volume/issue numbers. 
3. For unpublished or submitted works, indicate "in press" or "under review" in parentheses. 
4. If you have many publications, consider grouping them by type (peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, etc.) and highlighting the most relevant ones for the position.

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Awards

Adding awards to a CV offers additional concrete evidence of your skills, dedication, and exceptional performance. And whether the award is a scholarship for academic excellence or recognition for professional accomplishments, if it's relevant to the role or opportunity you're applying for, consider adding it.

Types of awards to include on a CV:

• Academic awards like making the Dean's List or earning honors
• Research grants speak to the value of your research and your ability to write persuasive proposals
• Fellowships are competitive and often prestigious
• Scholarships underscore your dedication and achievements, reinforcing your qualifications
• Professional honors like industry recognition or awards from peers highlight your impact and reputation

How to list awards on a CV

1. Place awards in reverse chronological order, including the award name, issuing organization, and year received.
2. For each significant award, add a brief one-line description of its purpose or significance if it's not immediately clear from the title.

A CV awards section could look something like this:

Young Researcher Award (2023)
International Synthetic Biology Symposium

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Professional Affiliations 

Professional affiliations are an important part of your career background. Being part of professional associations or organizations can show prospective employers that you stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices within your field.

How to list professional affiliations on a CV

1. List your professional memberships in a dedicated section, including the organization's full name, your membership status (e.g., Member, Fellow), and dates of involvement. 
2. If you've held leadership positions or participated in specific committees within these organizations, briefly note these roles beneath the relevant association. 

Pro Tip: Focus on only including current and active memberships that are relevant to your field or career goals.

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Volunteer Work

Volunteer work demonstrates your commitment to community engagement and social responsibility beyond your professional life. Including volunteer experience on your CV can showcase valuable soft skills like leadership, teamwork, and initiative to prospective employers, while also highlighting your personal values and character. 

How to list volunteer work on a CV

1. ‍ List your volunteer experience in reverse chronological order, including the organization name, your role and dates of service.
2. Include 1-2 brief bullet points describing key responsibilities or achievements. 

Pro Tip: Adding volunteer experience to a CV is particularly valuable when transitioning careers or early in your professional journey. You’ll want to focus on volunteer work that either demonstrates relevant skills for your target position or shows long-term commitment to causes.

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Tailoring your CV for different applications

In the US, your CV should be comprehensive, but that doesn't mean including everything you've ever done. It's important to keep your content relevant to the opportunity.

Whether you're targeting a job in a specific industry or applying for a graduate program, a well-tailored CV shows you understand what's required and have the right skills and experience. 

Customizing your CV makes it easier for the person reading it to see why you're a strong fit and increases your chances of standing out in a competitive pool of applicants.

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How to tailor your CV

Tailoring your CV means strategically highlighting the experiences and skills that align with each specific opportunity. Review the job description carefully to identify key requirements and ensure your CV demonstrates how you meet these needs through relevant accomplishments, skills, and experiences.

Remember that while a general CV may contain your complete history, each tailored version should prioritize information that directly speaks to the position you're targeting.

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Here's some questions to ask yourself when tailoring your CV:

• Does this experience directly relate to the role I'm applying for?
• Would this achievement demonstrate a skill mentioned in the job description?
• Is this certification or training relevant to the position's requirements?
• Will this publication or presentation showcase expertise valuable to this role?
• Could this optional section strengthen my application for this specific position?

Pro Tip: If you want to tailor your CV with clarity instead of murky guesswork, Teal's AI Resume Builder has a Match Scoring tool that compares the language and skills of your resume or CV to any job description—giving you a breakdown score of how well they align. It also offers suggestions to help improve your original score—and your alignment with the position.

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How to make your CV ATS friendly

When applying for jobs online, your CV needs to be easily readable by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to reach human recruiters. Keep your formatting simple with clear headings, consistent fonts, and standard bullet points while avoiding graphics or complex designs.

Include relevant keywords from the job description, and save your file as a PDF to ensure proper parsing by most ATS systems.

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Here's some tips for making sure your CV is parsable by ATS system:

• ‍Use standard section headings (e.g., "Work Experience" instead of "Career Journey")
• Incorporate key terms from the job description naturally throughout your CV
• Skip tables, text boxes, and special characters that may confuse ATS systems
• Ensure all text is selectable and not embedded in images
• Use a standard font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman

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Example of a CV

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Write your CV with Teal

A well-crafted CV communicates your professional value and increases your chances of landing more interviews and opportunities. By following the guidelines above, you'll present your achievements and expertise in a clear and organized manner relevant to the person reading it.

If you need help getting started, Teal's AI Resume builder gives jobseekers full design control, making it a great tool for creating a CV.  Create and store as many CVs or resumes as you need, store your entire career or academic history, and streamline your applications—all in one dynamic platform.

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