How to Write a CV in 2026: Format, Sections and Examples

What is a CV, and how is it different from a resume?

A CV (short for curriculum vitae, Latin for "course of life") is the document you send to apply for a job in the UK, Ireland, most of Europe and many other countries. In the US and Canada the same document is called a resume. In the US, "CV" usually means a longer academic, medical or research CV.

So if a US employer asks for a CV for a normal business job, they usually mean a resume. If a university or research lab asks for a CV, they mean the full academic version. The table shows the main differences.

What sections should a CV include?

A CV should include your contact details, a short personal profile, your work experience, your education, and your skills, plus languages if you speak more than one. Optional sections, such as certifications, volunteering or projects, go at the end when they help for the job.

For UK applications, the National Careers Service advises leaving out your age, date of birth, marital status and nationality. If you are stuck on the profile, see these professional summary examples; the same advice works for a CV profile.

How do you write a CV step by step?

Write a CV by reading the job ad first, then filling in each section in this order: contact details, work experience, education, skills and languages, and the profile last, because the profile is easier to write once the rest is done.

1. 1. Read the job ad first

   Note the job title, the must-have skills and the words the employer repeats. Your CV should show proof of those first.

2. 2. Choose the right format for the country

   Use a reverse-chronological CV on A4 for the UK and Europe, a resume on US Letter for the US, and a full academic CV for research and teaching jobs.

3. 3. Add your contact details

   Put your name, phone number, email, town or city and a LinkedIn link at the top. Leave out your full address, age and marital status unless the country expects them.

4. 4. Write your work experience

   List jobs from most recent to oldest with job title, employer, location and dates. Under each, write 3 to 6 bullet points that start with an action verb and show a result.

5. 5. Add education, skills and languages

   List degrees and qualifications with dates, the skills the job asks for that you really have, and languages with a level such as the CEFR scale (A1 to C2).

6. 6. Write your personal profile last

   Write 2 to 4 lines under your name that say who you are, what you do best and what you want next, using the job title from the ad.

7. 7. Proofread and save in the right file type

   Check spelling and dates, keep it to two pages for most jobs, then save it as a Word (DOCX) file or a text-based PDF with a clear file name.

Writing a new version for every job takes time. If you want help, our guide to writing a CV with AI covers what to check in an AI draft. ElevateAI, for example, writes a CV for each job from the experience you upload once, and asks you for details instead of making them up.

What is the best CV format in 2026?

The best CV format for most people is a reverse-chronological CV in one column, with your most recent job first, standard headings and a plain, readable font. It works for recruiters and for the applicant tracking systems (ATS) that many employers use to collect and search applications.

• Layout: one column, clear headings such as "Work experience" and "Education".
• Font: a common font such as Arial, Calibri or Georgia, around 10 to 12 point for body text.
• Dates: one style throughout, for example "Mar 2023 to present".
• Avoid: text boxes, tables for key content, icons, skill bars and charts. Software can skip text inside them.
• Career changers: a short skills section near the top can help, but keep a dated work history below it.

A simple CV is not a boring CV. Clean spacing and bold job titles are enough. For the detailed parsing rules, read our ATS resume format guide; they apply to CVs too.

How long should a CV be?

A CV for most jobs in the UK and Europe should be one to two A4 pages: one page if you are a student or recent graduate, two pages if you have several years of relevant experience. Academic CVs are the exception and can run longer because they list publications, teaching and funding, but always check the job ad for a page limit. Our guide on how long a resume should be explains what to cut when you are over.

What does a good CV look like?

A good CV is easy to scan in a few seconds: name and contact line at the top, a short profile, then jobs with clear titles, dates and result-focused bullets. Here is a short example for a made-up person.

Should you send your CV in Word or PDF?

Send your CV in the file type the job ad asks for. If it does not say, a text-based PDF keeps your layout the same on every screen, and a Word (DOCX) file is a safe choice when a recruiter or online form asks for an editable file.

• Make sure the PDF is text-based: you should be able to select and copy the words.
• Use a clear file name, such as Jordan-Sample-CV-Data-Analyst.pdf.
• Open the saved file once before you send it to check nothing moved.

In the EU you can also use the official Europass CV, which you can create online in 31 languages. It is useful for public-sector jobs and applications that ask for it, but a clean CV of your own is fine for most private employers. ElevateAI offers both PDF and Word (DOCX) downloads on its paid plans.

Do CV rules change by country?

Yes. The main differences between countries are whether you add a photo, how much personal information you include, and how long the CV usually is. Check the norm in the country where the job is, not where you live now.

For the details by country, see our guides to the German CV (Lebenslauf) and the French CV, plus the Spanish and Swedish guides listed at the end of this page.

How do you write a CV in English for an international job?

To write a CV in English, follow the conventions of the country where the job is, translate your job titles to their usual English name, and give each language a clear level. Small details show the reader you understand their market.

• Spelling: use UK spelling (organised, programme) for UK and Irish jobs and US spelling (organized, program) for US jobs.
• Job titles: use the common English title, and keep company names in their original form.
• Qualifications: give the local name of your degree and a short English description, for example "Licenciatura en Economía (5-year degree in Economics)".
• Language levels: use the Council of Europe's CEFR levels (A1 to C2), which European employers recognise.
• Dates: write the month as a word ("Mar 2024") so 03/04 is never read the wrong way.

What are the most common CV mistakes?

The most common CV mistakes are sending the same CV to every job, listing duties instead of results, and using a design that is hard to read. Most are quick to fix.

• One generic CV for every application instead of matching each job ad.
• Bullets that say "responsible for" with no result or number.
• Gaps in dates with no short explanation.
• Spelling mistakes, mixed date styles or an unprofessional email address.
• Skills you cannot back up in an interview.
• Two-column templates, graphics and photos where the country does not expect them.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• → How to write a CV with AI
• → ATS resume format 2026
• → How long should a resume be?
• → German CV vs US resume
• → French CV vs US resume
• → Spanish CV vs US resume
• → Swedish CV vs US resume