Do you want a CV that can get you hired?
As you are aware, your CV is your chance to make a first-time good impression on your potential employer and according to this statistic, recruiters take less than 1 minute to review your resume.
This is why it is important to have a great CV that can get you the job
The major challenge then is not if you need a CV but how to actually come up with a workable CV.
That is what I am going to show you in this article.
In this post, you are going to learn:
FREE CV BUILDER FOR OPTIMISED JOB SEARCH
A CV is a 2-page document that shows in chronological order a detailed document highlighting your professional and academic history.
This is a question many job seekers would always ask but quite a few find the answer they seek. Even throughout their entire career, most professionals would still not be able to answer this question because a CV is often used interchangeably with another word, the resume.
If you are reading this article then congratulations because you are about to be numbered among the few who understand what a CV is and can differentiate between it and a resume.
The meaning of CV is (Curriculum Vitæ), which means a course of life in Latin. It is an in-depth document that can be laid out over two or more pages, and it contains a high level of detail about your achievements, a great deal more than just a career biography. The CV covers your education as well as any other accomplishments like publications, awards, honours, etc.
A CV is a document that tends to be organised chronologically and should make it easy to get an overview of an individual’s full working career. A CV is static and doesn’t change for different positions; the difference would be in the cover letter.
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is one of the most important tools in your job search. In 2026, many companies use AI screening systems and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan CVs before a human ever reads them. That means your CV must be clear, relevant, and tailored to the job you want.
Before writing your CV, take time to carefully read the job description. Employers often include the exact skills, qualifications, and responsibilities they expect from candidates. Understanding these requirements helps you tailor your CV to match the role. Pay close attention to the keywords used in the listing, as many companies rely on ATS software to filter applications based on those terms. When your CV reflects the language used in the job description, it increases the likelihood that your application will pass the initial screening and reach a hiring manager.
Choosing the right template is an important first step in creating a professional CV. A good template should be clean, easy to read, and well-organised. Avoid overly complex designs with excessive graphics, colours, or columns, as these can sometimes confuse automated screening systems. Instead, select a layout with clear headings, consistent formatting, and enough white space to make the document easy to scan. In most cases, a CV should be one to two pages long, depending on your level of experience.
Before you start filling out your CV, it helps to identify your core skills. These are the abilities that make you valuable to employers and relevant to the position you are applying for. Core skills may include technical skills, industry-specific expertise, or soft skills such as communication and leadership. Writing these skills down first allows you to strategically incorporate them throughout your CV so that they align with the needs of the role.
Your CV should start with your full name and professional contact details. This information should be clearly visible at the top of the document so that employers can easily identify and contact you. Include your phone number, a professional email address, and if applicable, a link to your LinkedIn profile or professional portfolio. Avoid including unnecessary personal information such as age, marital status, religion, or national identification numbers, as these details are generally not required by employers.
The work experience section is often the most important part of your CV. Start with your most recent position and work backwards in reverse chronological order. For each role, include your job title, the name of the organisation, the dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities. Rather than simply listing tasks, focus on highlighting your achievements and the impact you made in each role. Whenever possible, include measurable results that demonstrate your contributions, such as improvements in efficiency, revenue growth, or successful project outcomes.
Your education section should also be organised in reverse chronological order. Begin with your most recent qualification and include the name of the degree or certification, the institution where you studied, and the year of completion. If you are early in your career, you may also include relevant coursework, academic honours, or major projects that demonstrate your knowledge and abilities in your field.
After outlining your work experience and education, include a section that highlights your key skills and any relevant training or certifications you have completed. This section allows employers to quickly see the technical abilities or professional qualifications that support your experience. Certifications, workshops, and professional training programs can strengthen your application by demonstrating your commitment to professional development and continuous learning.
Depending on the role, you may want to include additional information that strengthens your candidacy. This could include volunteer experience, professional memberships, languages you speak, industry conferences you have attended, or notable projects you have completed. Only include information that adds value to your application and is relevant to the position you are seeking.
Before submitting your CV, it is essential to proofread the entire document carefully. Check for spelling errors, grammar mistakes, and formatting inconsistencies. Even small errors can create a negative impression and suggest a lack of attention to detail. Reviewing your CV multiple times or asking a trusted friend or colleague to read it can help catch mistakes you may have overlooked.
A well-written cover letter should accompany your CV whenever possible. The cover letter gives you an opportunity to introduce yourself, explain your interest in the role, and highlight the experience that makes you a strong candidate. It should complement your CV rather than repeat it, focusing on how your skills and achievements align with the company’s needs. A concise, tailored cover letter can significantly increase your chances of being invited for an interview.
Even if your CV can be flexible to suit some information like your skillset, professional experience, interest etc. There is still some information that an employer would love to see on your CV, regardless.
You know that employers don’t spend the whole day reading your CV. An average recruiter will spend 6 seconds to glance through your CV. Surprised right?
When employers read your CV, they are reading your CV to determine if you are the best person for the job.
So to appeal to your prospective employer’s judgment, you must figure out what your prospective employer wants to see at a glance.
If you are confused about employers are looking for on your CV, then you don’t have to worry because we’ve got you covered.
To create an outstanding CV, you have to include the following information:
The first thing the recruiter should see when they open your CV should be your name, professional title, and personal contact.
This information should be positioned at the top of your CV. Putting this information at the top of your CV gives the employer an idea of who you are at a glance.
Your name should be the title of your CV, followed by your professional title.
When it comes to adding your contact details to your CV, your email and phone numbers are important. A recruiter will likely call you on the phone to inform you of the interview after they have sent you an email to that effect.
You can add your LinkedIn in this section. Many employers search for candidates on social media to know more about them. This is a good example:
Gary Olusegun
Administrative Assistant
0804-7657-432
garyolusegun@gmail.com
3, Ike Street, Ikeja
Your profile is also known as your personal statement. Your personal statement is a piece of writing usually not more than 2 or 3 paragraphs that appears at the top of your CV that gives a summary of who you are, your skills, your achievement, experience, your career goals and finally; the reason for your application.
You can write an amazing CV, but not having a personal statement on your CV or having a poor one can make your CV not get the attention that it should get. A personal statement is what captivates the recruiter’s attention to your CV.
It is good for you to tailor your personal statement to the job that you are applying for, paying attention to the particular job that you are applying for.
Don’t forget to keep your personal statement short and interesting and a few sentences long. To achieve this, you can build your personal statement around the following:
Need more tips on how to write a great personal statement? Then this all you need to know about the personal statement.
Personal statement example:
A team player, with a commitment to customer service, who possesses a long track record of working in various administrative roles,
coupled with good PC skills and the ability to communicate confidently at all levels.
Apart from being immediately available, I have a strong background in general administration along with experience of working within a customer-focused company like yours.
This section allows you to list your previous jobs, work experience and internships. You must include this section in your CV because it gives the employer an idea of what you can do.
Employers find it easier to hire a candidate who has functioned in a particular role, rather than someone that has little or no experience at all.
That is why it is good for you to arrange your work experience in reverse chronological order so that the employer can see your most recent work experience first.
When you are listing your previous positions of employment, you should state your job title, the employer (company name), the dates that you worked, and a few sentences that summarise the role. Put your key responsibilities, skills, etc. in bullet points to aid readability.
MMM YYYY - MMM YYYY Company Name, Location
Position title
Outline
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Key Responsibilities
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Key Achievement/ Projects
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Your education is another important section that should be included in your CV. Many job descriptions usually come with educational qualification specifications.
Just like you listed your job experience, you should also list your educational qualifications in reverse chronology. Include the name of the institution and the dates you were there, followed by the qualifications and grades that you achieved.
If you recently graduated from school, you can list a few of your relevant modules, assignments or projects underneath your educational qualification.
If you have gone a little further along in your career journey and have many certifications, you can add them to your qualifications.
You can write your educational qualifications this way:
Institution name - Dates (From - to)
Qualification/Subjects - Grade
If you are writing a CV that is focused on showing your work experience, knowledge and expertise, then you are writing a functional CV. In this kind of CV, you arrange your job skills chronologically.
Aside from writing a functional CV, your skills are one of the most important pieces of information that you should include on your CV.
It is important to add skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for in a strategic section of your CV. You can study the job description carefully to understand what skills are most important to perform the job.
Make sure you arrange your skills in order of relevance.
Irrelevant work experience: Any work experience that is not related to the position you are applying for should not be added to your CV. As much as adding your work experience to your CV is important, it is also important you include only experiences that are related to the job that you are applying for.
Personal information: Personal information like your marital status, religious preference etc. Any information that does not suggest that you are the best person for the job should not be added to your CV.
Employers are not interested in knowing your personal details; they want to know if you are the best candidate for the position.
Your prospective employer does not really care about what you love to do in your spare time if it is not related to the job.
There is no need to include your hobbies in your CV if they are not related to the job.
There is no point lying on your CV to please the recruiter. Lying does not make you qualified for the job.
According to statistics, 75% of hiring managers can spot a lie on a CV. Lying about your skills and qualifications may even get you disqualified for the position.
A career objective may not be necessary on your CV. If you have applied for the job, then your objective is clear (you want the job). You should write a personal statement instead to emphasise why you think you are the best candidate for the job.
It is necessary to add a physical description of yourself to your CV. Even if you think you have a great physical feature, it may not appear great to the recruiter.
You should leave this information to the recruiter to discover during the interview.
Compensation rates differ from company to company. Adding your salary information to your CV may have a negative effect on you more than you think.
Putting your salary information can make you earn less than you should earn. It can also disqualify you from the position, as the information may suggest to the recruiter that you are not open to negotiation at all.
If the recruiter wants to talk to your reference, then they will let you know and ask you to provide that information.
Writing “reference upon request” may also be unnecessary. However, it is good you make plans for this beforehand to give you ample time to prepare.
You can use this tool to adjust your CV and cover letter to fit any job description
What is a CV?
Ans: CV is (Curriculum Vitæ), which means a course of life in Latin. It is an in-depth document that can be laid out over two or more pages and it contains a high level of detail about your achievements, a great deal more than just a career biography.
What is a Resume?
Ans: A resume or résumé is a concise document typically not longer than one page as it is assumed that the reader will not dwell on your document for very long.
What is the difference between a CV and a Resume?
Ans: The main difference between a resume and a CV is that a CV is intended to be a full record of your career history, and a resume is a brief, targeted list of skills and achievements.
When Should I use a CV or Resume for my Application?
Ans: Most employers will tell you what they want you to send in. However, it is advised that an experienced job seeker should use a CV for high-profile job applications as this will show how much experience and expertise they have.
Are there any rules guiding CV and Resume writing
Ans: There are no rules, but be sure that:
What should be included in my CV and Resume
Ans: Bearing in mind your objective for writing a CV or Resume,
How do I ensure that my CV and Resume are attractive to employers?
Ans: Bearing in mind that a recruiter should be able to tell at a glance what you can offer, what your qualifications are and what experiences you have. We do recommend that you craft a brand statement and place it at the beginning of your CV/Resume. Below is an example of a brand statement:
With an MSc. in Project and Construction Management and has worked as a Project Manager for 8 years in the oil and gas sector, I love to build formidable project teams from scratch who can deliver top-notch projects on budget and within the specified time frame.
What Resume format is best to use?
Ans: A chronological resume is a typical style most employers expect to see. The functional resume is popular with career changers, people with little work experience (like students and recent grads), or those who’ve been out of the workforce for an extended leave. Mixed (combined format) resumes combining the chronological and functional formats. And a Curriculum Vitae (CV) is mainly for professors, teachers, lawyers, scientists and related professionals.
Are there CV and Resume samples I can access for FREE?
Ans: Yes, we have a couple of templates that you can download and use for FREE. Access them here
Can I get professional help tailoring my CV/Resume?
Ans: Yes, you can use MyJobMag CV Pilot to instantly tailor your CV and cover letter to match any job description. It’s fast, accurate, and keeps your unique voice while improving your chances of getting hired.
Gary Olusegun
Administrative Assistant
Gary Olusegun
Administrative Assistant
0804-7657-432
sample@gmail.com
3, Ike Street, Ikeja
Professional Summary
I am a competent and enthusiastic administrative assistant with 1-year of experience in the retail industry.
I am organized and proactive in providing timely and accurate administrative support to office managers. I am skilled at preparing documentation, memos, and handling correspondence.
Job Experience and Employment History
Car Sales Company, Lagos.
Administrative Assistant
2019 – Present
Duties
+ Meeting and greeting clients and visitors that come to the office.
+ Typing documents and distributing memos.
+ Supervising the work of office juniors and assigning work for them.
+ Handling incoming /outgoing calls, correspondence and filing.
+ Faxing, printing, photocopying, filing and scanning.
+ Organizing business travel, itineraries, and accommodation for managers.
+ Monitoring inventory, office stock and ordering supplies as necessary.
+ Updating & maintaining the holiday, absence and training records of staff.
+ Responsible for purchase orders.
+ Raising purchase orders and invoice tracking.
+ Creating and modifying documents using Microsoft Office.
+ Setting up and coordinating meetings and conferences.
+ Involvement in social media implementation.
+ Updating, processing and filing of all documents
Skills
+ Time Management
+ Interpersonal Relationship
+ Organisation
+ Communication
Education
Nuneaton University
+ BSc (Hons) Business Administration
2015 – 2018
Coventry College, Lagos.
+ Secondary School Leaving Certificate
2006 – 2014
Maryland Schools
+ Primary School Leaving Certificate
1994 - 2005
OLUSEYI SHARON
Chartered Accountant
0804-7657-432
sample@gmail.com
3, Ike Street, Ikeja
Professional Summary
I am proficient in accounting principles across multiple contexts and environments. My prior experience ranges from working in small to medium companies. I am adept at all functions of accounting, including balancing sheets, processing payments, managing accounts payable, and providing executive administrative support.
Job Experience and Employment History
UGO.C Accountants
General Accountant 2008 – 2011
Duties
ABC Financials
General Accountant 2008 – 2011
Duties
Skills
Interests
Education
Institute of Chartered Accounting
ACCA Accounting
2008 – 2011
Covenant University
BSc. Accounting
2008 - 2011
Up – Town Secondary School
Secondary School Leaving Certificate
2000 - 2006
+ Secondary School Leaving Certificate
2006 – 2014
Maryland Schools
+ Primary School Leaving Certificate
1994 - 2005
These CV samples are examples of a good CV sample. You can use it to structure your CV.
Writing a CV should not be a hard job. If you want to learn how to write a resume with no job experience or you are a fresh graduate and you are wondering how to write an awesome cv for undergraduate students, then I believe that with the information provided in this article, you should be on your way to writing a winning cv. You can also check out this video on the cv writing mistakes to avoid when writing your CV.
However, the good news is that you do not need to start from scratch. You can use these Free CV Templates to get started. Depending on your work experience, we have different cv templates for all jobs fields and if you do not want to use our cv templates, you can build your CV using our CV builder.
Further Readings:
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