Step-by-step guide
How to write a CV
Every section in the order UK and European employers expect, what to leave out, and a final checklist before you apply.
CV guides
CV guides for UK and European job applications
Plain-English guides to writing and formatting a CV, from structure and length to photos, Europass and applicant tracking systems. Most are written for applications in the UK and Ireland and point out where other European countries do things differently.
By the YourCVy teamLast updated
Write your CV
What goes in each section, how to word it and how long it should be.
Examples
CV personal statement examples
Examples for graduates, career changers, people returning to work, managers and six sectors, plus a simple 3-part formula for writing your own.
Bullet points
CV action verbs
120 action verbs grouped by skill, the CAR method and 8 before-and-after bullet points, in UK English.
Length
How long should a CV be?
The usual length by career stage and country, and 10 practical ways to cut a long CV to two pages.
Apply online and use AI well
How job portals read your CV, and how to get help from AI without it inventing anything.
Formatting
ATS-friendly CV
What applicant tracking systems do with your CV, the formatting that causes problems and a 2-minute test you can run on any PDF.
AI prompts
Improve your CV with AI
Prompts for bullet points, tailoring and personal statements, and the checks to make before you use anything an AI writes.
Work across Europe
Conventions change from country to country. These guides cover the differences that matter most.
Definitions
CV vs resume
What each word means in the UK, Europe and North America, and how to turn a US resume into a UK CV.
By country
Photo on a CV
Whether to add a photo, country by country, and 8 rules for a good one if you do.
Europass
European CV format
When you need a Europass CV, what employers in different countries expect and how to show language levels.
CV templates
Layouts for different situations, each shown with a fictional sample CV.
Not sure where to start?
Pick the line that sounds most like you.
| If you… | Start with |
|---|---|
| are writing your first CV, or rewriting an old one | How to write a CV |
| have a CV but it runs to three pages or more | How long should a CV be? |
| apply mainly through online job portals | ATS-friendly CV |
| are applying in another European country | European CV format |
| are moving from the US or Canada to the UK or Europe | CV vs resume |
| want a stronger opening paragraph | CV personal statement examples |
| have bullet points that read like a job description | CV action verbs |
| are applying in Germany, Austria or Switzerland and unsure about a photo | Photo on a CV |
| want to use an AI tool on your CV safely | Improve your CV with AI |
| are happy with the content and want a better design | CV templates |
About these guides
Do the guides apply outside the UK?
Most start with the UK and Ireland and then point out where other European countries differ, for example on photos and personal details. The CV vs resume guide also covers the US and Canada.
Are the guides up to date?
Each guide shows the date it was last updated at the top of the page. Where a guide relies on official guidance, it links to the source so you can check it yourself.
Do I need YourCVy to use the guides?
No. The advice works whatever tool you use to write your CV. If you want to see your own CV in a new layout, you can upload it to YourCVy and try every design for free; the PDF download costs €5 once.
Ready to update your CV?
See your CV in a cleaner layout
Upload the CV you already have, check the AI draft and try every design. Pay €5 only if you download.