A CV (curriculum vitae) is a short list of facts about you and your work history, skills and experience. A good CV is essential when looking for work and it is worth spending time getting it right so it sells you to an employer.

What is your CV?

Your CV should:


  • be neat, typed if possible and to the best standard you can achieve in content and layout
  • be short, two sides of a sheet of A4 paper is normally enough
  • be positive, it should emphasise your achievements, strengths, successes and how you have contributed to your employers making a profit (add figures to support facts whenever you can and use positive action words, for example: ‘consulting’, ‘negotiating’, ‘managing’ and so on)
  • make a good impression, this means presenting the facts about yourself in a clear and positive way

How to use your CV

To apply to companies to see if they have any jobs available

You can send your CV with a covering letter or email asking if they have any current or future vacancies in your trade. You can find names and addresses of companies in newspapers or in trade or telephone directories.

To remind you what you’ve done

You can use your CV to help you remember all the dates and information each time you have to fill in a different application form.

To help with applications by phone

Having your CV handy when applying for jobs by phone can help if you are asked to give more information about previous jobs. If you have hearing or speech difficulties and use textphone or Typetalk, having a copy of your CV can cut down the length of time you spend making a call.

At interviews

Having your CV with you while you’re waiting to be called in can help you refresh your memory. It is also handy to leave a copy with the interviewer if they do not already have one.

Registering with recruitment agencies

Agencies may sometimes ask to see your CV before you can register with them.

as Provided by Jobcentre Plus

CV Example Templates

Here is a list of several examples of CV templates in Microsoft Word Format available for download:

Example CV 1 Clean and Simple
Example CV 2 Example CV with a border around the page
Example CV 3 Education, Reference and experience section only
Example CV 4 Page Border
Example CV 5 Professional, Functional CV Sample
Example CV 6 Functional CV focus on qualifications and skills
Example CV 7 CV template with detailed sections
Example CV 8 CV with example info. and instructions
Example CV 9 CV template with suggestions and tips embedded
Example CV 10 CV template with shading in headings
Example CV 11 CV Example with detailed instructions and tips embedded
Example CV 12 Nice page border
Example CV 13 Professional Academic CV
Example CV 14 Clean shaded titles with emphasis on skills CV
Example CV 15 Small font CV
Example CV 16 Professional CV
Example CV 17 Right Aligned CV
Example CVs Search the web for example CVs

Browse more CV and Resume Examples.

These example CVs are to be used as a base from which to start.

as shown on http://www.cvtips.com