What Information Should Be on Your CV? A Simple Guide to Get You Noticed
When it comes to job hunting, your CV is your first impression and first impressions matter. But here’s the truth: many job seekers are still unsure about what to include in a CV that actually gets them interviews.
Whether you’re a recent graduate, switching careers, or just updating your resume, this post will walk you through the essential information your CV should contain, without the fluff.
Let’s break it down.
What is a CV and Why Does it Matter?
Your CV (Curriculum Vitae) is your marketing document. It tells recruiters who you are, what you’ve done, and why you’re the right fit for the role. Think of it as your personal pitch: concise, relevant, and impressive.
Must Have Sections in a Professional CV
Here are the key sections every effective CV should contain:
1. ✅ Contact Information
Right at the top and up to date!
•Full Name
•Phone Number
•Professional Email Address
•LinkedIn Profile (if available)
Optional: Portfolio or Personal Website
Avoid using “coolguy123@yahoo.com” as your email. Keep it professional, like firstname.lastname@gmail.com.
2. ✅ Personal Profile or Summary
A 2–3 line introduction that highlights your value.
Example:
Customer support specialist with 3+ years of experience improving customer retention through empathetic communication and fast resolution times.
This section helps recruiters know who you are at a glance.
3. ✅ Key Skills
Highlight 6–10 relevant, job-specific skills. Use comma-separated keywords to make it ATS-friendly.
Example:
Customer service, CRM tools, Data entry, Problem-solving, Communication, Conflict resolution
Use keywords from the job posting!
4. ✅ Work Experience
List your experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
For each role:
•Job title
•Company name
•Dates (Month + Year)
•Key responsibilities and achievements (use action verbs)
•Use bullet points and include measurable results.
Example:
•Resolved 90+ customer queries weekly, increasing satisfaction ratings by 20%
•Trained 3 new team members on CRM software
5. ✅ Education
Include your highest or most relevant qualifications.
•Degree or Certificate
•Institution
•Graduation year
•Relevant coursework or achievements (if applicable)
6. ✅ Certifications & Training
Short courses, industry certifications, or any extra training you’ve taken should be listed here.
Examples:
Google Digital Marketing Certificate
Project Management Fundamentals
7. ✅ Additional Sections (Optional but Helpful)
Depending on your industry or experience, you can also add:
•Volunteer Experience
•Languages
•Projects or Portfolios
•Awards and Honors
•Professional Affiliations
These extras can set you apart from other candidates especially if you’re early in your career.
What NOT to Include on Your CV
While we’re at it, here are things you should leave out:
•Age, gender, or marital status
•Photos (unless it’s industry-specific like modeling or acting)
•Full home address (city and country is enough)
•Salary expectations
•Irrelevant hobbies
Final Tips Before You Hit “Send”
Tailor your CV to each job you apply for
Keep it to 1–2 pages max
Save and send as PDF, unless stated otherwise
Proofread. Then proofread again.
Summary: Your CV Checklist
✅ Contact Info
✅ Personal Summary
✅ Key Skills
✅ Work Experience
✅ Education
✅ Certifications
✅ Relevant Add-ons
Want a CV That Gets You Interviews?
Need help writing or reviewing your CV? We help professionals communicate their value clearly so they can stand out and get hired faster. Reach out for a custom review or rewrite.