The main sections of a CV
Every CV will be different, so choose the sections that will enable you to present yourself in the best possible light.
The main sections of a CV
Every CV will be different, so choose the sections that will enable you to present yourself in the best possible light.
The Basics
Personal details: Include your full name, postal address, email address and phone number. Ensure you format your postcode and mobile number correctly. E.g. 07956 123546 and SE31 5TX.
Professional summary: Also known as a personal statement. This is a concise opening paragraph (3–5 sentences) at the top of the CV. Outline your core strengths and ambitions.
Work experience: For each, include: Company name and address, dates of employment, responsibilities (bullet points describing your main duties) and the key things you learned and/or the skills you acquired. Here’s what you can include to beef up this section:
Work experience (including virtual work experience).
Part time work.
Side hustle - entrepreneurship is highly valued.
Education: Your academic qualifications should also be listed in reverse chronological order. In other words, your Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A Levels) should appear at the top, followed by your Level 2 qualifications (e.g. GCSEs). List modules, EPQ, projects, NEAs or areas of study, if they align with your career goals.
Skills: In this section you should include hard skills and soft skills:
Hard skills: For example, spreadsheets, Python, Java, HTML/CSS, research skills, report writing, driving licence, languages spoken or graphic design.
Soft skills: For example, creativity, problem-solving, time management, resilience and attention to detail.
Over and above
Additional qualifications: Read the Upskilling section to find out more.
Key achievements: Quality always trumps quantity - list the two or three achievements that fill you with pride. For example:
Academic: Subject awards and commendations.
Sporting: Captaining a side, winning a tournament or coaching success.
Technical: Setting up a fully functioning website or designing a 3D model using CAD.
Extracurricular: Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Gold Award or winning a debating award.
Super curricular: UKMT Senior Maths Challenge, British Informatics Olympiad (Computer Science) or Royal Economics Society Essay Competition.
Community: Charity work (especially if you organised an event that raised lots of money) or supporting younger students with homework clubs.
Leadership: Head girl/head boy (or prefect) or setting up your own club/society.
Hobbies and interests: This section serves two main purposes. Firstly, it enables you to demonstrate that you’re a rounded individual. Secondly, if you’re lucky, you may share an interest with someone who’s interviewing you. Here are the main categories: Sports (e.g. captaining a team), intellectual (e.g. playing chess), cultural (e.g. reading), community (e.g. faith group), creative and artistic (e.g. painting or playing a musical instrument).
Referees: It’s common practice to have two referees on your CV (ideally one academic and one workplace).