Curriculum vitae (CV) 101: Format, templates, and examples
After weeks of job hunting, you’ve finally found an opening that sounds perfect for you. But then comes the big question: how do you make sure your application catches the hiring manager’s eye? The answer starts with a strong curriculum vitae (CV).
A CV is your personal marketing tool. It introduces you to potential employers and highlights your best professional self. Think of it as your foot in the door, the first impression that can land you that job interview.
Whether you’re fresh out of university or making your first move into the job market, a compelling CV can set you apart. Here’s your complete guide to writing a CV, plus templates and examples to get you started.
What is a CV?
So what does curriculum vitae mean, exactly? The term “curriculum vitae” comes from Latin and means “course of life”. In the modern world, it refers to a professional document that details your complete educational and professional background.
A CV usually includes:
Your contact details
A professional summary
Work experience
Education
Skills
Hobbies or volunteer work, if necessary
Differences between a CV and resumé
While “CV” and “resumé” are often used interchangeably in Australia, the two have key differences.
A CV is a comprehensive, detailed document that outlines your work history, education, skills, and achievements. CVs give a broader view of your professional background.
Meanwhile, a resumé is typically a one-pager tailored for a specific job, containing only the most relevant details about your career.
Check out this table for easier reference:
Feature | CV | Resumé |
Length | No limit | 1 to 2 pages |
Purpose | Broad overview | Tailored to a specific role |
Industries | Academia, medicine, law | Most corporate sectors |
Detail level | Comprehensive | Selective |
How to write a CV: A step-by-step guide
Wondering how to go about crafting your CV? Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to get you started.
Step 1: Present your contact details
In the header at the top of your CV, you should present your personal information. This includes:
Full name
Professional email address
Mobile number
Suburb or city only, no need for full address
Portfolio or personal website, for creatives or tech roles
Make sure your email address sounds professional – ideally a variation of your full name, such as [email protected]. Avoid outdated or quirky email handles like [email protected], as they might make you seem less serious or dated.
Step 2: Write your professional summary
This short paragraph, typically 3 to 4 sentences at the top of your CV, should quickly tell the employer who you are and what you bring to the table.
Example: Motivated marketing graduate with hands-on internship experience in digital campaigns and social media strategy. Strong analytical skills and a passion for consumer insights. Ready to bring creative ideas and a can-do attitude to a fast-paced team. |
To write your professional summary, ask yourself: What are your top strengths? What industry are you targeting? What makes you different? Focus on your achievements, skills, and career goals.
Step 3: Describe your work experience
List your roles in reverse chronological order, so start with your most recent job first. For each position, you’ll need to include:
Job title
Company name and location
Dates of employment, including month and year
A brief summary of your responsibilities
Bullet points outlining your key achievements
Here’s an example:
Marketing Assistant ABC Media Supported the digital marketing team in running paid social media campaignsCreated content calendars and wrote posts for Instagram and FacebookAnalysed campaign results using Google AnalyticsIncreased social media engagement by 30% |
Make sure your bullet points are memorable by using action verbs to describe your work experience: led, managed, created, developed. Don’t just list your duties – explain your results and quantify your impact with numbers.
Step 4: List your educational qualifications.
Similarly to your work experience, start with your most recent educational attainment first and list the rest in reverse chronological order. Here’s what to include for each entry:
Degree or qualification
Institution name
Dates attended
Relevant awards, scholarships, or societies
Be sure to highlight your standout achievements. This might be things like graduating with honours, receiving academic awards, or taking on extracurricular leadership roles.
Here’s an example:
Bachelor of Business (Marketing) Dean’s List 2022 |
Step 5: Highlight your relevant skills
In the skills section of your CV, think about spotlighting skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for. These could be:
Technical or hard skills: Excel, Python, Adobe Creative Suite, SEO, CRM tools
Soft skills: Teamwork, communication, adaptability, problem-solving
Languages: Especially valuable in roles with an international scope
Group skills into categories if you have several to list, or focus on the top five most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Make sure to match your skills to the keywords in the job ad.
Here’s how your skills section might look like if you’re a graphic designer:
Skills: Adobe Illustrator and PhotoshopStrong verbal and written communicationBasic HTML and CSSFluent in English and conversational Mandarin |
Step 6: Include your hobbies and volunteer work (optional)
If your hobbies and interests help you stand out for the role, you can choose to include them in your CV. The key is to link your hobbies to transferable skills.
For example, playing team sports shows that you’re a great team player, which can give you an edge in a highly collaborative role. If you’re applying for a role in a non-profit organisation, mentioning that you organised a charity fundraiser will grab the hiring manager’s attention.
However, if you don’t have hobbies or volunteer work that effectively support your professional story, feel free to leave them out.
How to format your CV
When structuring your CV, you can take your pick from three standard formats. Which one you prefer is up to you, but choose the one that matches your strengths and experience best.
Chronological CV: Lists your work experience in date order, starting with your most recent job. This format is best if you have a clear, consistent work history without significant gaps. For example, a recent graduate who has completed internships and part-time marketing roles could list these from most recent to earliest.
Functional CV: Focuses on your skills and competencies rather than job history. This format is ideal if you’re a career changer or have gaps in your work history. For instance, a teacher transitioning into corporate learning and development could group skills like “training design” or “facilitation” and list relevant experience under each point.
Combination CV: Blends both chronological and functional styles. This format works well for almost anyone, since you can highlight the best of your key skills and work history. If you’re a professional with a few years of experience in various roles, you can highlight skills like “project management” before diving into specific job roles.
Whichever CV format you choose, you can generally order the essential sections of your CV in this way:
Header with contact information | Name: Jordan Patel Location: Adelaide, SA Email: [email protected] Phone: 0401 234 567 |
Professional summary | Results-driven economics graduate with strong analytical and communication skills. Experienced in data analysis through academic projects and internship work. Keen to contribute fresh ideas and problem-solving abilities to a data analyst graduate role. |
Work experience | Data Analyst Intern CommBank, Sydney NSW Dec 2023 – Feb 2024 Supported the insights team in developing dashboards using Power BIAnalysed customer data and identified trends that informed product development |
Education | Bachelor of Economics University of Adelaide, 2020 – 2023 Graduated with DistinctionMember, Economics Society |
Skills | Microsoft Excel and Power BI (intermediate)SQL (beginner)Strong written and verbal communicationTime management and multitasking |
Hobbies and volunteer work | Volunteer, OzHarvest Supported food delivery logistics twice weeklyOrganised team schedules and improved delivery efficiencyBuilt strong teamwork and communication skills |
Tips for writing the best CV
Your CV can make or break an employer’s decision to hire you – so it’s essential to put your best foot forward. Here’re some tips to polish up your CV and make your hiring manager take a second look:
Tailor your CV to the role
One size doesn’t fit all, and every job is different. Read the job ad carefully and make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience they’re looking for. seek.
Study the job ad and underline key phrases. Next, rephrase your experience to reflect these skills. For example, if the ad says “stakeholder engagement” and you’ve worked with clients, write “engaged key stakeholders to align project outcomes” in your work experience.
Get your keywords right
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen out CVs at the start of the hiring process. These systems look for specific keywords that match the job description.
Make sure your CV gets read by using the same keywords as the job listing. For instance, if the job ad asks for “project management” and you’ve written “event coordination”, you might want to adjust your wording to ensure the ATS doesn’t filter you out.
Keep it clean and readable
Presentation matters. Choose easy-to-read professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica, and use font sizes between 10 and 12 pt.
Use clear section headers like “Experience” or “Education” and organise your content into bullet points under each header. Unless you’re applying for a creative role, it’s best to avoid using too many colours and graphics too.
Proofread, proofread, proofread
An error-free CV shows your attention to detail. Check your grammar and spelling, then look at your formatting to make sure your bullet points and spacing are consistent.
After you’ve done that, read your CV aloud once to catch any awkward phrasing or missing words. You can also ask a friend to review your CV – a fresh set of eyes can catch things you’ve missed.
Get started with our CV template
Here’s a simple CV template that you can easily customise:
[Your Full Name] [Your Address] | [Your Phone Number] | [Your Email Address] | [Portfolio/Website] Professional Summary A concise paragraph (3–4 sentences) highlighting your career background, key strengths, and what you’re looking for. Professional Experience Job Title Company Name – City, Country Month/Year – Month/Year Achievement-oriented bullet points showing your impact and responsibilities Job Title Company Name – City, Country Month/Year – Month/Year Bullet 1 Education Degree (e.g. Bachelor of Business Administration) University Name – City, Country Month/Year – Month/Year (Optional) Relevant coursework, GPA (if strong), or achievements Key Skills Skill 1 (e.g. Project Management) Hobbies and Volunteer Work Hobby 1 |
CV examples and samples
CV example for fresh graduates
Name: Emily Nguyen Professional Summary: Education: Experience: Supported recruitment by screening resumes and coordinating interviewsMaintained employee records and assisted with onboarding |
CV example for mid-level candidates
Name: James Taylor Professional Summary: Education: Experience: Led a team of 12 to deliver efficient warehouse operationsReduced delivery time by 20% through new scheduling system |
CV example for senior candidates
Name: Sarah Wong Professional Summary: Education: Experience: Provided analysis for M&A deals worth $300M+ |
Put your best foot forward with a winning CV
Your CV is your first opportunity to show a hiring manager that you’re a great fit for the job. Highlighting the right skills, using the proper CV formats, and investing the time to get it right can make all the difference. Use this guide to help you craft a CV that best reflects your strengths, and you’ll boost your chances of landing your next role.
FAQs
How long should a CV be?
There’s no fixed rule, but most employers expect a CV to be 1 to 2 pages for early-career professionals, and up to 3 pages for more experienced candidates. The key is relevance: only include details that strengthen your application.
If you’re a fresh graduate, one page might be enough. Just be sure it’s well-structured and easy to read.
Should I include a photo on my CV?
In Australia, including a photo on your CV is generally not recommended. The exception is if you’re applying for a role where appearance is a part of the job, like acting or modelling. Recruiters should base their hiring decisions on your skills and experience, not your appearance.
Do I need to customise my CV for every job application?
Yes! Customising your CV shows that you’ve taken the time to understand the role and align your experience with what the employer is looking for.
This doesn’t mean rewriting your entire CV each time. You just need to update your professional summary, reorder skills, and highlight the most relevant experience and achievements based on the job description.
How can I make sure my CV stands out?
Start by making it easy to read. Use clear headings, bullet points, and professional formatting.
Next, tailor your content to the role and include keywords from the job ad. You can also add a splash of personality with a well-written summary or a brief hobbies section to give a sense of who you are outside of work.
