TL;DR: A good CV in 2026 is clear, results-focused, and tailored to the job. Below you’ll find a free Word template to download, an interactive example you can edit directly on this page, and a section-by-section guide so you know exactly what to write — and what to leave out.
What Is a CV?
CV stands for Curriculum Vitae — Latin for “course of life.” It’s a structured document that summarises your professional experience, education, and skills for a potential employer.
Unlike a résumé (more common in the US), a CV is typically more detailed and is the standard format used when applying for jobs in the UK, Europe, and most international markets.
A strong CV doesn’t just list what you’ve done — it shows what you’ve achieved. Employers spend an average of 6–7 seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to read further, so structure and clarity matter as much as content.
How to Structure Your CV
A well-structured CV follows a clear order. Here’s what to include, section by section.
1. Personal Details
Keep this section short. You only need:
- Full name
- City and country (full address is not required)
- Phone number
- Professional email address (firstname.lastname@email.com)
- LinkedIn profile URL (optional but recommended)
Leave out: date of birth, nationality, marital status, or a photo — none of these are required in most countries and can open the door to unconscious bias.
2. Professional Summary
This is a 2–3 sentence paragraph at the top of your CV, just below your name. Think of it as your pitch — what you do, how long you’ve been doing it, and what results you deliver.
Strong example: Digital marketing specialist with 4+ years of experience managing paid campaigns, SEO, and social media for SMEs. Consistently delivered 30–40% reductions in cost-per-acquisition and grown organic traffic by 100%+ across multiple clients.
Weak example: Motivated and hardworking individual looking for new opportunities in a dynamic environment.
The second example says nothing. Employers see hundreds of these — yours needs to be specific.
3. Work Experience
List your jobs in reverse chronological order — most recent first. For each role include:
- Job title
- Company name and location
- Dates (month and year)
- 2–4 bullet points describing your achievements
Write achievements, not duties. The difference:
- “Responsible for managing social media accounts”
- “Managed social media for 8 clients simultaneously, growing combined follower base by 45% in 6 months”
Use strong action verbs: led, built, increased, reduced, managed, designed, launched, improved.
If you have limited experience, include internships, freelance work, or relevant volunteer roles.
4. Education
List your qualifications in reverse chronological order:
- Degree title and field of study
- University or institution name
- Graduation year (or expected graduation year)
If you have a degree, you don’t need to include secondary school unless you’re a recent graduate with limited work experience.
Professional certifications (Google Ads, HubSpot, Meta Blueprint, etc.) are worth listing here or in a separate Certifications section — especially in digital fields where they carry real weight.
5. Skills
List specific, relevant skills — not generic ones. Examples of what works:
- Google Analytics 4
- Meta Ads Manager
- WordPress & Elementor
- Figma
- SQL basics
Avoid: “Microsoft Office,” “teamwork,” “good communicator” — these are either assumed or too vague to be useful.
Tailor this section to each job posting. If the employer mentions specific tools or platforms, make sure yours mirrors the language where it’s honest to do so.
6. Languages
Include all languages you speak and your honest level for each. Use the CEFR scale:
- A1/A2 — Beginner
- B1/B2 — Intermediate
- C1/C2 — Advanced / Proficient
- Native
If you have a formal certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, DELF), include your score. It gives the claim credibility.
What NOT to Include on Your CV
A clean, focused CV is more effective than a long one. Leave out:
- A photo — not expected in the UK or most of Europe, and can introduce bias
- Personal information — religion, ethnicity, political views, marital status
- An unprofessional email — set up a firstname.lastname address if you don’t have one
- Irrelevant work experience — a weekend job from 10 years ago won’t strengthen your application unless it’s directly relevant
- A “why I want this job” paragraph — that belongs in your cover letter, not your CV
- Spelling mistakes — proofread twice, then ask someone else to read it
Key Takeaways
- Keep your CV to 1–2 pages — one page for early-career, two pages maximum for experienced professionals
- Lead with achievements, not duties — use numbers wherever possible
- Tailor it for every application — a generic CV rarely gets interviews
- Include a professional summary at the top so employers immediately understand your value
- Use the free template above — fill it in directly on this page, then download as PDF
