CV Layout – what sections should be in

There is no foolproof format, so please do tailor the brief format below to your needs and the needs of the employer you are applying to.

The first page of many CVs focuses on personal details and education - however, it is your employment experience and ability to do the job that is most significant to recruiters and prospective employers. For professional roles people should list their work experience and career history before education, as this is the part of your CV which shows an employer what you have achieved for other companies in practice, rather than academically.

The following layout guide below follows this principle, as does the detailed CV advice in this section.

• CV Header – your contact details
• Personal Profile
• Career History in reverse order, including key achievements in each role
• Education and Qualifications, in reverse order
• Skills and Experience
• Other relevant information
• References request