Best CV Formats in 2025: Templates, Samples, Structure and Examples

Since a resume serves to highlight your training, professional background and abilities, it should be well-written. It explains how and why your experience and abilities match the position you are applying for. Your chances of landing a job can be increased by 20% with a professional resume according to a survey. Within a few days of using a professional resume, 68% of job seekers find a new position according to another survey. Many resume builders provide both free and paid resume templates you can select a polished template to add appeal to your CV.

According to a different survey 68 percent of job seekers who use a professional resume are hired within a few days. Many resume builders offer both free and paid resume templates to make your resume stand out select a professional template.

Check more: Declaration in Resume: Samples, Tips and Tricks for professional and Freshers

 What Is CV?

The term curriculum vitae which is Latin, is shortened to CV. A CV is a comprehensive record that includes information about your education, awards, special honors, grants scholarships, research, and publications in addition to your work history. Along with professional references, coursework, fieldwork, research project, or dissertation descriptions, interests and hobbies that highlights your strengths, you CV may also contain these details. A CV typically begins with your educational background and is chronological. Some major highlights of CV are tabulated below:

Understanding CV Format

Recognizing that a curriculum vitae (CV) can have various meanings across the globe is a necessary first step in understanding its format. A CV is commonly used in the US for jobs in academia, medicine, science, and research. Since it contains sections on publications, presentations, grants, and fellowships, it is frequently longer and more thorough spanning multiple pages. Similar to a resume in the United States, a CV is frequently used for a broader range of job applications in many other countries especially in Europe and parts of Asia. . CVs are typically only one or two pages long depending on the nation. Therefore the format of your CV may vary slightly depending on your position industry and location but all CVs should include the following sections :

• Personal Contact Information
• Personal Statement (such as a summary or objective)
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills

Other Optional Sections Include:

• Certifications and training
• Professional affiliations
• Industry awards
• Languages
• Publications/Links to portfolio
• Volunteer experiences or relevant hobbies

Parts of a CV

For those looking to apply for a new job, understanding the parts of a CV is essential. A well-crafted and correctly organized CV is the key to getting your foot in the door. The table below covers the parts of a professional CV and explains how to best use them in order to maximize your success and land the job you want.

3 Types of CV Format

Its crucial to understand the three different CV formats before you start writing.

• Chronological: Also called the reverse chronological format this is the conventional method of creating a resume that focuses primarily on work experience. 
• The Skills-based CV Format: It is nearly the same as the chronological one but it includes an extra section called Skills Summary that focuses more on skills much like a functional resume. 
• Combination: This hybrid CV format balances experience and skills by combining aspects of skills-based and reverse chronological CV formats.

Chronological CV Format

This format is more conventional and people use it widely. In this format, work experience is given more priority. 

• Structured.
• Contact information.
• Personal statement
• Work history
• Relevant skills
• Additional sections such as awards, certifications, and volunteer experience

Skills-based CV Format

Skills and aptitude are given more emphasis over work. It includes a Skills Summary section where key competencies are highlighted. 

• Contact information.
• Structured.
• Skills Summary (Highlighting Key Competencies)
• Work History (Brief, Less Detailed)
• Education
• Personal statement
• Work history
• Relevant skills
• Additional sections such as awards, certifications, and volunteer experience.

Combination CV Format

This format is also called Hybrid CV, as it combines both the elements of chronological and skills-based formats. It highlights skills first, followed by a detailed work history. Suitable for professionals with strong work experience and skill sets.

• Contact Information
• Personal Statement
• Skills Summary (Emphasizing Relevant Skills)
• Work Experience (With Detailed Roles & Achievements)
• Education
• Additional Sections (Optional)
   

CV Format for Jobs

A CV format layout is typically structured in a clear and logical manner, making it easy for the reader to identify important information. The layout usually includes the following elements:

• Contact information.
• Personal statement.
• Work experience.
• Educational history.
• Skills.
• Other optional sections, including languages, projects, volunteering experience, and more.

Contact Information

The CV contact information formatting looks as follows:

• Name
• Professional job title
• Email address
• Phone number
• LinkedIn profile
• Location

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is a short, 50–100-word pitch of your professional and educational career, and it goes right on top of your CV:

The personal statement can be written in two ways:

• As a CV Summary - Focused more on your work experience and achievements.
• As a CV Objective - Focused on your aspirations, goals, skills, and educational background (instead of work experience or achievements).

If you have any practical work experience, a CV summary is what you should use because it will promote you as a candidate more persuasively than your credentials or objectives.

If you don't have any work experience or are changing industries or professions, you would just choose a CV.

Work Experience

Format your CV's work experience section as follows:

• Start with your most recent job, and work your way back.
• For each work experience entry, start with the position title.
• Under the title, list out the following: name of the company, dates worked.
• Finally, mention 4-6 responsibilities or achievements for each position.

Educational History

Format your educational history in the following order:

• Degree name.
• University name.
• Study timeframe.
• GPA (optional).
• Courses taken (optional).
• Honors (if relevant).

Skills

Listing your skills on a CV is relatively straightforward - just create a section named “Skills,” and list them out.Stick to hard skills. After all, the hiring manager looking over your CV won't be able to discern whether the "critical thinking" skill included on your resume is real or just there to take up space. Soft skills are typically assessed by recruiters during interviews rather than throughout the screening process.

Other Optional Sections

The optional sections you can include on your resume include:

• Awards & Honors
• Projects
• Certificates
• Extracurricular Activities
• Hobbies & Interests
• Professional Organizations
• Languages
• Volunteering Experience
• Teaching Experience

CV Format for Freshers

• Begin by entering all your personal information.
• Next, complete the employment history and education sections (s)
• Include appropriate customized parts, such as a third for personal projects or volunteer activities.
• Add your abilities and languages.
• You can also include sections for volunteer work and personal pursuits.
• Keep in mind that you may always reorder sections and modify your resume to suit your needs.

It's likely that you won't have a lengthy career history or plenty of experience to include while creating a fresher CV. However, if you had any related part-time jobs while you were in school or even volunteer work, it would be very beneficial to your application.

CV Format for Experienced

When writing your CV, it is important to keep in mind the rules of the current job market. This article will offer some tips to help ensure that you are putting your best foot forward when you submit your CV.

1. The first and most important tip is to make sure your CV is up to date. It should include the most recent information about your education, experience, and skills. If your CV is not current, it could be off-putting for a potential employer. Make sure to update your CV regularly with any new information.
2. Another important tip for writing a CV is to make sure it is formatted properly for the year 2023. Many employers use specific templates for their job postings which will determine the format of your CV. Make sure you have the correct CV format for the job you're applying for.
3. It is also important to include relevant keywords in your CV. Employers often use software to search for keywords in CVs, so including the right keywords could increase your chances of landing the job. Additionally, make sure to use the same keywords that were used in the job description.
4. Finally, make sure to proofread your CV carefully. Any spelling or grammar mistakes could make a bad impression on your potential employer. Take the time to check and double check your CV to make sure it is free of errors.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your CV is in the right format and contains the right keywords for your job application. This can increase your chances of success when you're applying for jobs. 

Tips For Writing A Strong CV

Listing your education and work history is only one aspect of creating an effective CV. To stand out in a competitive job market you must strategically present your abilities accomplishments and credentials. Here are some professional pointers to help you write a compelling CV: 

• Customize your CV or resume for each job application by adding pertinent keywords from the job description. 
• Your career progression will be easy for recruiters to see if you present your work experience in reverse chronological order. 
• Format your document using standard fonts like Arial and Times New Roman and stay away from images or graphics that could confuse the ATS. 
• For clarity include pertinent headings and bullet points. 
• Highlight your achievements rather than just your job responsibilities. 
• Strong action verbs like “managed” “developed” and “implemented” should be used at the start of your bullet points. 
• Use percentages or numbers to quantify your accomplishments to show how much of an impact you had in prior positions. 
• For instance, write “Led a team of 10 employees resulting in a 20% increase in productivity instead of responsible for managing a team”. 
• Check your CV or resume for typos and grammatical mistakes.

Information to be Excluded from CV Format

When writing your CV, it's important to consider exactly which information to include and which information to exclude. It's easy to make a CV that's too long, and employers may not have the time to read it all. It's better to focus on the aspects of your experience and skills most relevant to the position. Additionally, including too much information can also make it hard for recruiters to quickly find the information they want.

So, what should you exclude from your CV format?

• First and foremost, avoid including any personal information that is unnecessary and doesn't contribute to your professional history. This includes details of your marital status, religious beliefs, health, family, ethnicity, and age. 
• You should also avoid mentioning anything that is not directly related to the job you are applying for. This could include hobbies and interests, irrelevant work experience, or referee contacts.
• Another important thing to exclude is any information that could be considered discriminatory or offensive, such as comments about sexual orientation, gender, race, or disability.
• Finally, there is no need to include your academic qualifications if they are old or not relevant to the job you are applying for. For example, you do not need to list your GCSE or A-Level results if you have a degree and are applying for a graduate-level role.
• Above all, focus on the relevant and essential information employers will want to know about you. The CV format for 2023 is changing, so make sure to keep up with any new trends in CV formatting. By only including the most important and relevant information, you will make it easier for recruiters to quickly identify your key skills and experience.

Common Misconceptions of CV

The following are the main ideas outlined under each resume myth.

1.The maximum length for a CV is two pages. 

• Quality is more important than length and the two-page rule is flexible. 
• For a more thorough experience several pages are acceptable. 
• Pay attention to pertinent details for the intended job market. Avoid superfluous bloating and properly showcase your capabilities. 

2. Every job you have ever held must be mentioned. 

• Emphasize recent and pertinent positions instead of listing every job. 
• Emphasize positions that show development and success. 
• Include volunteer work and internships for candidates in their early career stages. To stay relevant executives can condense more traditional roles.

3. A career objective is necessary for resumes. 

• For seasoned professionals a professional introduction or profile summary is ideal. 
• Goals may be overly centered on individual preferences rather than the requirements of the employer. 
• Adapt the introduction to the intended audience and job purpose.

4. You ought to enumerate every duty you have. 

• Focus on important pertinent accomplishments rather than enumerating all of your responsibilities. 
• Action verbs can be used to increase impact. Use the STAR technique to quantify accomplishments whenever feasible. 

5. A CV lacks personality and is a formal document. 

• In order to stand out, CVs can showcase personality. Tailored writing styles and imaginative layouts can work well together. 
• A section titled “About Me” can highlight values and personal interests.

6. Your CV must contain references. 

• References should be provided separately upon request. 
• Avoid including references on the CV. Including them takes up valuable space and can violate privacy.

7. Every job should be applied for using the same CV. 

• For every job application, tailor your resume to emphasize your relevant skills. 
• Various occupations demand distinct attributes  and customization heightens focus. 
• Employ job descriptions precise language to increase your appeal. 

8. It is must to close employment gaps. 

• Covering up gaps can cause issues, so it's better to give a brief explanation. 
• List jobs in reverse chronological order being transparent about any gaps. To avoid hiding gaps dont remove months openness is essential. 

9. A cover letter isn’t necessary.

•  Sending in a cover letter can improve your application and demonstrates your dedication. 
• A well-written cover letter should discuss the jobs specifics and enhance the resume. 
• Stay clear of generic cover letters as they can be harmful.

 
10. It’s okay to exaggerate or lie.

•  If found out, inflating credentials can have major repercussions. 
• Prioritize real accomplishments over exaggerated assertions. Seek out authentic credentials rather than making them up.

11. The only thing that matters is your CV. 

• Direct approaches and networking can be just as crucial as a CV. 
• Take into account other tactics such as phone calls or LinkedIn connections. 
   

12. You get to the interview with a flawless CV. 

•  Even poorly written CVs can land interviews but a well-written CV can help. 
• The competitive environment and market conditions can affect interview prospects. 

13. Writing a CV in the third person is recommended. 

• Write in the first person (omitting the pronoun I) for a straightforward style. 
• Employ action verbs to make duties and accomplishments more clear. 
   

14. Education should always come first. 

• Education should come before work experience for recent graduates. 
• Priority is given to candidates with professional experience. Enumerate the courses in reverse chronological order. 

15. Having a photo on your CV will help people find you. 

• Though it may draw attention away from qualifications adding a picture can help with recall. 
• Pictures are common in some places but they can introduce bias. Pay more attention to credentials than looks. 

16. A static CV is ideal. 

• Make sure your CV is updated on a regular basis to reflect your skills and growth. 
• To highlight originality include non-traditional sections. 
• You should include both qualitative and quantitative effects on your CV.

17. Generic career objectives are effective.

• Generic goals are frequently disregarded make your summary more impactful. 
• Emphasize accomplishments and abilities to make an impression. 
   

18. Your CV will look better with fancy fonts and graphics and Infographics Draws Attention to Your CV.

• Clean simple designs make it easier to read. 
• Stay clear of images that might make screening more difficult. 
• Infographics have the potential to cause rejection by confusing ATS systems. 
• CVs with a lot of information and are simple have a higher chance of passing an ATS. 

19. Utilize the same CV for every job you apply for. 

• Customizing CVs demonstrates interest in the position and attention to detail. 
• Tailored CVs cater to each company's particular requirements. 

20. Keyword stuffing improves ATS ranking. 

• Use keywords naturally, stuffing them can backfire. 
• Adapt keywords to job descriptions without going overboard.
   

Difference Between Resume and CV

CV (Curriculum Vitae) and resume are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. Their meaning depends on geographical location and purpose. The table below highlights the same: