A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is one of the most important documents in your career journey. It acts as a professional summary of who you are, what you’ve achieved, and why you’re the right fit for a job. In today’s competitive job market, recruiters receive hundreds of applications for a single vacancy. A well-crafted CV can be the difference between getting shortlisted or being overlooked.
This guide will walk you through how to make a strong CV step by step, along with the best online platforms that can help you design one easily.
Why a Good CV Matters
Your CV is often the first point of contact between you and a potential employer. Research shows that recruiters spend less than 10 seconds scanning each CV before deciding whether to move forward. That means your CV should not only be well-structured but also tailored to the role.
A good CV:
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Grabs attention quickly
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Highlights your most relevant skills and achievements
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Shows professionalism and attention to detail
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Positions you as the right candidate for the job
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a Good CV
1. Start with Personal Information
At the top of your CV, include:
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Full name
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Phone number
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Professional email address
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LinkedIn profile (optional but recommended)
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Location (city and country is enough; no need for full address)
Tip: Avoid outdated details such as date of birth, marital status, or a photo unless specifically required.
2. Write a Powerful Profile Summary
This is a short 3–5 sentence paragraph at the top of your CV. It should summarize your professional background, strengths, and career goals.
Example:
“Ambitious Business Administration undergraduate with internship experience in banking and a strong background in financial analysis. Skilled in teamwork, problem-solving, and delivering results under pressure. Currently pursuing CA Business Level, with a passion for corporate finance and auditing.”
3. Highlight Your Education
Employers often check education first, especially for entry-level jobs. Include:
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Degree name (e.g., B.Sc. (Hons) in Business Administration)
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University and faculty
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Duration (e.g., 2022–2026)
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Key subjects, research, or projects (if relevant)
4. Showcase Work Experience
Work experience should always be listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Each entry should include:
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Job title
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Company name
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Duration (month/year)
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Key responsibilities and achievements
Example:
Intern – People’s Bank (Jan 2024 – Jun 2024)
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Assisted in daily financial operations including account reconciliations.
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Supported auditing teams with documentation and compliance checks.
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Contributed to customer service improvements by streamlining query handling.
5. Add Skills Section
Skills should be divided into hard skills (technical) and soft skills (personal).
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Hard skills: Microsoft Excel, Sage 50, Data Analysis, RapidMiner, Financial Reporting.
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Soft skills: Communication, Leadership, Time Management, Teamwork, Problem-Solving.
6. Include Certifications and Extra Activities
Certifications add credibility to your profile, especially if you lack experience. Examples:
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CA Business Level Certification
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Digital Marketing Certification (Google)
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Microsoft Excel Advanced Course
Extra activities such as volunteering, sports, or student organizations also show leadership and teamwork.
7. Keep Design Clean and Professional
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Use simple fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman).
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Stick to black text with minimal color highlights.
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Keep sections well-spaced for easy reading.
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Save your CV as a PDF unless otherwise requested.
8. Tailor Your CV for Each Job
Never send the same CV everywhere. Always read the job description and include keywords from it. If the role asks for “financial analysis,” make sure that term appears in your CV.
Common CV Mistakes to Avoid
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Using generic templates without customizing.
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Making it too long (stick to 1–2 pages).
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Including irrelevant personal details (age, religion, photo).
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Listing duties instead of achievements.
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Spelling and grammar mistakes.
Best Sites to Create a Professional CV
Fortunately, you don’t have to build a CV from scratch. Many online tools provide templates and step-by-step guidance. Here are the best ones:
Fortunately, you don’t have to build a CV from scratch. Many online tools provide templates and step-by-step guidance. Here are the best ones:
1. Canva
- Offers creative and stylish CV templates.
- Easy drag-and-drop editor, perfect for beginners.
- Great for modern, design-focused industries.
2. Zety
- Professional CV builder with customized content suggestions.
- Provides pre-written phrases to make your CV strong.
- Good for corporate and traditional roles.
3. Novoresume
- Focuses on minimalist and professional designs.
- Helps highlight your strengths with targeted advice.
- Widely recommended for both students and professionals.
4. Kickresume
- Uses AI-powered CV building.
- Offers cover letter and CV matching templates.
- Suitable for tech, startups, and modern industries.
5. VisualCV
- Great for both traditional CVs and online CV links.
- Lets you track CV views if you share it digitally.
- Good option for freelancers and consultants.
Final Thoughts
Making a good CV is not about filling pages with information—it’s about creating a clear, tailored, and professional document that highlights your strengths. Remember to:
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Keep it simple and relevant.
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Use action verbs and measurable results.
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Customize for each role you apply to.
With the help of modern CV-building websites, you can easily design a professional-looking CV even without advanced formatting skills. Whether you prefer a creative design (Canva) or a formal corporate style (Zety, Novoresume), these platforms make the process faster and more effective.
