How to write a great CV

A strong CV (Curriculum Vitae) is one of the most important tools in your job search. It gives employers a clear picture of who you are, what you can do and why you’re a good fit for their role. Think of it as your personal marketing document, a chance to sell your skills, experience and potential so you’re invited to interview.

Below is a step-by-step guide to creating a clear, confident and professional CV that helps you stand out.

What is a CV?

A CV is a short document (usually 1–2 pages) that summarises your:

  • Skills
  • Work experience
  • Education and training
  • Achievements
  • Contact information

Employers, recruiters and agencies almost always request a CV when you apply for a job, so having one that’s clear, up-to-date and well-formatted will increase your chances of progressing to the next stage.

Tip:
You only need to include dates in the Employment and Education sections, nowhere else.

What to include in your CV

There’s no official CV format, but most employers expect the following sections:

1. Personal details

Include:

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Town/city and postcode (full address not required)

Avoid:

  • Date of birth
  • Nationality
  • Photograph (not used in the UK)
  • Full address

2. Personal statement (profile)

A short paragraph (3–5 lines) introducing who you are, what you bring and what type of role you are seeking.

Example:

“Experienced service advisor with 5+ years in customer-facing automotive roles. Strong communicator with a track record of improving customer satisfaction scores and streamlining booking processes. Now looking to bring my skills to a fast-paced dealership or service centre.”

3. Key skills

List 6–10 skills that match the job you’re applying for. Use keywords from the job advert.

Examples of skills

  • Customer service
  • Diagnostics
  • Team leadership
  • Stock control
  • Microsoft Office
  • Time management
  • Attention to detail
  • Health & safety awareness

Tip: Avoid generic skills like “hardworking”, instead use job-specific or measurable skills.

4. Work experience

List your roles in reverse order, starting with your most recent.

For each job include:

  • Job title
  • Employer
  • Location
  • Dates of employment
  • 3–6 bullet points describing responsibilities
  • 1–2 achievements (if possible)

Example achievement bullets:

  • Reduced return repairs by 18% by improving inspection process
  • Increased positive customer reviews from 4.1 to 4.6 stars
  • Trained and supervised a team of three new technicians

5. Education, qualifications & training

List your most recent qualifications first. Include:

  • School/college/university
  • Course and level
  • Year achieved
  • Any relevant training (Health & Safety, IMI qualifications, first aid, management courses)

6. Memberships and certifications

Include only those relevant to your career or the role, such as:

  • Institute of Motor Industry (IMI)
  • IOSH
  • Technical certifications (e.g., MOT tester, EV training)

Optional sections

Use these only if they add value:

Section

Include if…

Hobbies & interests

They link to the role (e.g., volunteering, coding, sports coaching)

Projects

You have practical examples of work (e.g., building a website, restoring a vehicle)

Volunteering

It demonstrates transferable skills

Languages

Relevant to the job

Awards

They show achievement and credibility

Formatting your CV

The visual layout says a lot about you. A clean, simple design makes it easier for employers to find key information quickly.

Formatting checklist

  • Present information in a logical order
  • Keep sentences short and professional
  • Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs
  • Stick to a standard font (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica)
  • Use 10–12pt text and 14–16pt for headings
  • Make headings bold or slightly larger
  • Leave plenty of white space
  • Spell out acronyms on first use (e.g., “Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)”)

Common formatting mistakes

Mistake

Why it’s a problem

Using multiple fonts/colours

Looks messy and unprofessional

Tiny margins

Makes the CV hard to read

Long paragraphs

Recruiters won’t read them

Too many graphics/columns

Confuses applicant tracking software (ATS)

How long should a CV be?

Most recruiters agree that two sides of A4 is ideal for most people. One page may work for early-career candidates; three pages is rarely needed unless you are in a specialist technical or academic role.

Tailor your CV to each job

This is one of the most important steps.

To tailor your CV:

  1. Read the job advert carefully
  2. Identify the key skills, experience or certifications they want
  3. Mirror the language they use (e.g., “customer retention”, “diagnostics”, “EV experience”)
  4. Move your most relevant experience near the top
  5. Add achievements that link directly to the role

This shows recruiters at a glance that you match their criteria.

Highlight your achievements

Achievements help your CV stand out and show measurable value.

Examples of strong achievement statements:

  • “Cut stock loss by 15% by improving inventory checks.”
  • “Completed EV Level 2 training ahead of schedule.”
  • “Handled up to 60 customer enquiries per day with a 95% satisfaction rating.”

Try to include numbers, improvements or outcomes where possible.

Use keywords

Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan CVs for keywords before a human sees them. Using language from the job description helps ensure your CV is picked up.

Examples of common keywords

Industry

Useful keywords

Automotive

diagnostics, warranty, MOT, service, EV, workshop, parts

Customer service

enquiry handling, complaints, CRM, communication

Logistics

planning, stock, inventory, scheduling

Check and check again

Before you send your CV:

Final checks:

  • Spellchecker set to English (UK)
  • No grammar or punctuation errors
  • Dates are accurate and consistent
  • Font and spacing are tidy
  • File name looks professional (e.g., “J_Smith_CV.pdf”)

Ask at least one other person to proofread it, fresh eyes spot mistakes.

Photographs

Including a photo is common in some countries, but not in the UK. Skip it to avoid unconscious bias and keep the focus on your skills.

Saving your CV

Save the final version as:

  • PDF (recommended) – keeps your formatting consistent
  • Word document (.doc/.docx) – useful if an employer specifically requests it

References

You don’t need to include references or write “references available on request”.
If you’re offered the role, you’ll be asked for details at that stage.

Now you’ve got your CV sorted…

The next step is writing a great cover letter.