How to write a CV (2026 guide)
A strong CV is easy to scan, built around what you achieved rather than what you were responsible for, and laid out so hiring software can read it. Those rules apply almost everywhere. What changes from country to country is mostly length, the name of the document, and which personal details to include.
How long should a CV be?
For most jobs, one to two pages. One page suits students and people early in their career. Two pages is normal for experienced professionals. Academics, doctors and senior specialists may need more, because publications, registrations or project lists are expected.
The sections, in order
- Name and contact details. Your name, phone number, email, the city you live in, and a LinkedIn or portfolio link if you have one. Put these in the main body of the page, not in a header, because some applicant tracking systems skip headers.
- Professional summary. Two or three sentences: who you are, your level of experience, and the skills the job ad asks for. Adjust it for each type of job you apply for.
- Work experience. Most recent job first. For each role give the job title, employer, location and dates, then three to six bullet points about what you achieved.
- Education. Your highest qualification first, with the institution and the year. Early in your career, you can add school results or relevant certificates.
- Skills. The specific skills and systems named in the job ad, using the same wording, such as “Microsoft 365”, “patient assessment” or “SAP”.
- Certifications, licences and registrations. Professional registrations, licences and certificates, with the year achieved.
Write achievements, not duties
“Responsible for customer queries” tells an employer very little. “Resolved 40 customer queries a day with a 95% satisfaction score” tells them how well you did the job. Start each bullet with an action verb and add a number where you honestly can. Our guide to writing CV achievements shows how.
What to leave out (almost everywhere)
- Government ID numbers, passport numbers or bank details. Never put these on a CV, whatever the country.
- Your full home address. Your city and country are enough.
- “References available on request.” Employers assume this.
- Hobbies that don’t add anything. Keep them only if they show a relevant skill or help start a conversation.
Make it readable by applicant tracking systems
Most medium and large employers worldwide use an applicant tracking system (ATS), which turns your CV into plain text before a person reads it.
- Use one column, with no tables, text boxes, icons or skill bars.
- Use standard section headings such as Work Experience, Education and Skills.
- Use a common font at 10.5 to 12 point.
- Save as PDF unless the job ad asks for Word.
Not sure how your current CV reads? Run it through the free ATS Check to see the text that hiring software pulls out. Our guide to ATS-friendly CVs explains the details.
What changes by country
These are common conventions, not strict rules. When in doubt, follow the job ad or look at examples from the employer’s own country.
| Region | Name and length | Personal details and photo |
|---|---|---|
| UK and Ireland | “CV”, usually two pages | No photo, date of birth, marital status or nationality. Add your right to work if it might be unclear (for example a visa or residence permission). |
| US and Canada | “Resume”, often one page early in your career, two later | No photo or personal details such as age or marital status. Use US spelling for US employers. |
| Germany, Austria and Switzerland | “Lebenslauf” or CV, often two pages, sometimes in table form | A professional photo and date of birth are still common, though increasingly optional. |
| Rest of Europe | “CV”, one to two pages | Varies by country. Some public bodies and EU institutions ask for the Europass format. |
| Gulf countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar) | “CV”, two pages | A photo, nationality and visa status are often included, because they affect hiring and visa sponsorship. |
| Australia and New Zealand | Often called a “resume”, two to three pages | No photo or date of birth. Listing two referees at the end is common. |
| India, Pakistan and South Asia | “CV” or “resume”, one to two pages | Some employers still expect personal details. Multinational employers usually prefer the international style without them. |
If you’re applying across borders, an international-style CV (no photo or personal details, one to two pages, achievement-focused, ATS-friendly) is the safest default. Add local details only where the employer expects them.
Tailor it for each application
You don’t need a new CV for every job, but adjust three things each time: the summary, the order of your skills, and which achievements you list first. Mirror the language of the job ad where it’s true for you.
Applying for public sector jobs
Many governments and public bodies use an online application form instead of, or as well as, a CV. Read the instructions for each competition carefully, and give examples that match the skills or competencies they list.
Build an ATS-friendly CV
Start from an example for your job, then download a clean PDF or Word file. Free, no sign-up.
Open the CV builder