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How to Write a Summary on a CV with 20+ Examples

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your CV.” Patrick I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan  My previous CV was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George

1. What is a CV summary?

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How to List Work Experience on a CV: Sample Job Descriptions

How to List Work Experience on a CV: Sample Job Descriptions

250+ CV Action Words & CV Verbs for Strong CVs

250+ CV Action Words & CV Verbs for Strong CVs

What to Include on a CV (20+ Best Things to Put)

What to Include on a CV (20+ Best Things to Put)

United Kingdom CV Tips & Format Requirements

Applying for a job in the United Kingdom? This guide has the tips, examples, & format requirements needed to write the perfect UK CV. Create your VisualCV today!

UK CV Requirements

Applying for a position in the United Kingdom requires a specific CV format. When you are looking for work in the UK, make sure that your CV is suitable for a UK audience and will meet the expectation of recruiters.

Browse our gallery of resume examples here.

UK CV Image

How to Format a CV?

To best format the CV, you need to select the best layout based on your relevant past experience and the type of role you are applying for.

There are three general CV layouts in UK that are popular:

Reverse Chronological CV Format for UK

reverse chronological uk cv format

Functional CV Format for UK

functional cv format uk example

Combination CV Format for UK

A combination CV format is helpful if you are applying for a job in the UK where you wish to display with clarity how your past skills and experience are transferable to the job you are applying for.

combination cv format for uk

UK CV Examples

Administration uk cv example.

administration uk cv example

Retail UK CV Example

retail uk cv example

Professional British CV Example

professional uk cv example

Engineer UK CV Example

civil engineer uk cv example

Marketing UK CV Example

marketing uk cv template

Management UK CV Example

management uk cv example

Accounting UK CV Example

accountant uk cv template

UK CV Tips and rules:

CV, not Resume: The term ‘CV’ is most common in the United Kingdom. The terms ‘resume’ and ‘curriculum vitae’ are rarely used.

Language: Be sure to write your CV in proper British English - for example, write ‘labour’ rather than ‘labor’ and ‘optimise’ rather than ‘optimize’.

Length: Your UK CV should not exceed two pages - “no longer than two sides of A4”, according to Rachel Swain at Prospects.ac.uk.

Resume template: Browse through our gallery of UK resume templates .

UK CV Format, Order and Layout:

Photo: A photo is not expected on your UK CV. While common in the rest of Europe, it is rare to see a picture on a CV in the United Kingdom. In certain roles, such as some sales positions or a creative job where visual presentation is key, a picture may be acceptable, but be sure to research the company first.

Personal Information: The only personal information required for a UK CV is your contact information - your name, home address, mobile phone number and email address (which should be some variation of your name: [email protected] or something similar). No other personal information should be included.

Personal Statement: Your CV should begin with a brief description, no more than five lines of text, that describes who you are, what you can do, and what you bring to the position you are applying to. Your personal statement should be tailored to the job description - focus on the skills and experience that make you suited for this particular job. Personal statements are not mandatory, but they are a great way to grab an employer’s attention. According to Michael Cheary at reed.co.uk , “a well written personal statement can mean the difference between standing out from the crowd and your application being rejected.”

Work experience: Display your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent. Use this space to showcase your achievements in each position - important milestones and quantifiable data are more impressive than daily duties. Use proactive action words to make your experience sound interesting and dynamic.

Education: Education should also be listed from most recent to least recent. Include all relevant certifications, including institution names and dates. Your education section should come after your work experience, unless you graduated very recently.

Other sections for your UK CV:

Skills: It is common to include a simple list of skills kept separate from your work history. This provides a quick, at-a-glance look at what you excel at, without delving into your experience too much.

Volunteer experience: Volunteering experience should be noted on your CV. If you prefer, you can include volunteer experience in your Work History section, but remember to specify when a role is a volunteer position.

Languages: Feel free to note any languages you are fluent in. This is particularly important when the job calls for multiple languages.

References: It is not necessary to include references in your CV. Instead, follow up with references to an employer separately when asked.

How do I Write a UK CV in 2022?

To write a UK CV in 2022 follow these steps:

What is a UK CV Format?

The UK CV format requires your CV to be:

How do I Write a Good UK CV?

To write a good UK CV ensure that you start with the right CV format and then customize the CV based on the job you are applying for. Pick up keywords and skills that are mentioned in the job description and modify your UK CV to show relevant skills and experience.

What Font Should a CV be in the UK?

The following fonts are preferred for a UK CV - Roboto, Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman. To give your UK CV a modern look you can select a Sans serif font e.g. Roboto, and for traditional looking CVs you can go for a Serif type font e.g. Times New Roman.

What Font Size Should my CV be in the UK?

A font size between 10 to 12 is considered easy to read. So make sure that your UK CV’s font size isn’t less than 10, but not greater than 12 either.

Conclusion:

Though CVs in English-speaking countries are very similar, each country has its own nuances that must be observed for best results. When writing a UK CV, pay attention to the specific requirements of each employer and if possible, have someone you trust read over your CV before submitting your application.

Copyright © 2023 VisualCV

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How to Write a CV Summary: 10+ Professional Examples

How to Write a CV Summary: 10+ Professional Examples

In recruitment, one short paragraph can decide your fate. Your CV summary. Discover a simple formula that works for everyone and make sure you get it right.

Jacques Buffett, CPRW

Take a step into the world of creative writing and there’s one piece of advice that comes up time and time again. You have to start off with a hook to draw the reader in. Just as the name suggests, you need that juicy bit of bait to catch the reader and reel them in.

Writing a CV is exactly the same. You need an introduction that’ll make the hiring manager sit up straight in their chair and think “I want more”! That introduction is known as a CV summary and you’re about to learn how to write one that’s professional and compelling.

In this guide we’ll show you:

So now you’re hooked, let’s begin.

Want to save time and have your CV ready in 5 minutes? Try our CV builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ CV templates and create your CV here .

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sample resume templates

Sample CV made with our builder— See more templates and create your CV here .

You’re about to learn how to start off your CV. Here’s how to write the rest: How to Write a CV: Professional UK Examples

1. What Is a CV Summary?

A CV summary acts as the opening statement for your CV. It’s a brief introduction that tells the hiring manager who you are, what skills and strengths you have, and the professional experience that you possess.

It goes by many names, but they all mean the same thing. Here are some of the CV summary synonyms you might come across.

But as Shakespeare famously said ‘A rose by any other name…’.

So putting the Bard aside, why do you need a CV summary? The answer is simple, speed. Recruiters get flooded with applications for every job that gets posted. There’s so little time to read each one that it’s estimated they spend less than 30 seconds on each CV.

If you don’t grab their attention from the outset they’ll just toss it aside and move on to the next. So you need to come in strong and make the most of that brief window of attentiveness. First, let’s take a look at the basics of structuring your CV summary.

CV Summary—Layout

Now, let’s move to crafting the content of your CV summary.

Read more: CV Layout: How to Lay out a Professional CV

2. How to Write a CV Summary for Your Job

No matter what job you’re targeting, a CV summary can be written using the same simple formula. You just need to answer three questions.

Your answers will be different depending on how much experience you have. So if you’re targeting a job in a field where you do have some experience, do this:

If you’re a career changer or a new graduate or school-leaver with no experience, do this:

And whether you’ve got years of experience or you’re just embarking on your career you should:

CV Summary Keywords

There’s one aspect of writing a CV summary that’s worth examining in more detail. Pardon the bad joke, but keywords are key. CV keywords are words or phrases that describe desired experience, skills or traits.

Hiring managers and ATS software alike will scan your CV for set keywords that match what’s needed for the role. Leave out crucial keywords and you’re setting yourself up for rejection. Thankfully though, it’s easy to find the most important keywords in the job advert. Here’s an example for an estate agent.

Farnborough Estates seeks sales negotiator with 5+ years experience in luxury property sales. Must be skilled in sales progression and property valuation . Generous basic salary, company car and OTE of £40k plus.

Everything that’s highlighted is a keyword. As you can see, this includes the job title, the level of experience required and the required skills. Try to include these keywords in your CV summary so the recruiter can see at a glance that you’re qualified for the job.

But whatever you do, don’t just string together keywords and phrases and hope for the best. Make sure your CV summary remains grammatical and easy to read. Have a friend check your work or read your CV personal summary aloud to make sure it scans well.

So that’s the theory, let’s put it all into practice. The best way of learning how to write your CV summary section is to look at some CV summary examples.

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a professional resume template here for free .

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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.

Estate Agent CV Summary Sample

First up, a CV professional summary written by an experienced estate agent responding to the job advert example above.

Target-driven senior sales negotiator with 10 years experience in luxury home sales. Highly competent in sales progression using all avenues of communication to speed sales process. Accurate valuation skills and sales figures that consistently exceed targets by +15%. Aiming to continue delighting clients with high levels of service.

And to break it down:

Next, a graduate CV example, which takes a slightly different approach.

Graduate CV Professional Summary Example

Here’s a CV summary sample written by a new graduate applying for an entry-level data analyst role.

Recent Leicester University graduate with 2:1 honours Media and Communications BA. Have completed summer internships with Associated Press and Dentsu Aegis Network. Highly developed knowledge of academic theory and practical media industry experience. Seeking to launch career in the prestigious environment of The Financial Times.

And now to break it down:

Read more: Graduate CV Example & Guide

Now let’s take a look at some other CV summary examples. Feel free to use them for inspiration, but remember to always find your own voice and write a CV summary that’s tailored to the job you’re applying for.

Customer Service CV Summary Sample

Highly detail-oriented customer service supervisor with 6+ years experience in high-volume multi-channel support roles. Diligent and composed with a commitment to resolving complaints at FPOC. Completely dedicated to delivering outstanding customer experiences and finding solutions to all problems. Seeking to continue to improve customer outcomes.

Read more: Customer Service CV Example & Guide

Sales Assistant CV Summary

Business-focused sales assistant with 4+ years of clothing retail experience. Strong focus on comprehensive product knowledge in order to offer customer-appropriate advice and maximise sales. Consistent record of target beating sales figures. Seeking a role in the women’s high street fashion sector to further grow my skills and experience.

Read more: Retail / Sales Assistant CV Example & Writing Guide

Receptionist CV Profile Summary

Energetic corporate receptionist with 3+ years experience in front desk roles. Immaculate personal presentation with highly-skilled administrative skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of clients and visitors. Looking to take on a role that will take my skills to the next level through new challenges and experiences.

Read more: Receptionist CV Example & Writing Guide

Waiter / Waitress CV Summary

Accomplished waitress with 4+ years experience in fine dining. Dedicated to delivering unique dining experiences through attentive customer service. Highly developed multi-tasking skills, excellent wine knowledge and a committed team player. Looking to further improve my skills in the fine dining sector.

Read more: Waiter / Waitress CV Example & Writing Guide

UI Developer CV Professional Summary Sample

Creative UI developer with 5+ years of experience in front-end web development. Implemented elements that increased conversion rate by 20% and resolved persistent issues reported by Firefox users. Seeking to use my dedication to delivering smooth and commercially focused user experiences to produce winning UI for Aleric Development.

Read more: Skills Based CV Example & Writing Guide

Graphic Designer CV Summary

Resourceful and inventive graphic designer with 5+ years’ experience in multimedia design. Passion for innovation combined with a client-driven approach. Accomplished collaborator with the ability to efficiently meld creative vision with practical implementation. Aiming to further my experience in web design in a cutting edge multimedia environment.

Read more: Graphic Designer CV Example & Writing Guide

Teaching Assistant CV Summary

Committed teaching assistant with 5+ years of experience supporting students with SEN. Dedicated to maximising outcomes by recognising the individual strengths of each student. Looking to expand my knowledge of specialist SEN teaching and help Northcote Primary maintain its reputation for excellence through diversity.

Read more: Teaching Assistant CV Example & Writing Guide

Support Worker CV Profile Summary Example

Patient and devoted care support worker with 7+ years experience providing care in the community to the aged. Specialist in ensuring clients can remain in their own home with a focus on assisting with adaptations and medical needs. Seeking to continue empowering independence in clients with warmth and empathy.

Read more: Support Worker CV Example & Writing Guide

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.  Here's what it may look like:

matching set of resume and cover letter

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaways

Here’s how to write a CV summary:

Thanks for reading. I hope I’ve covered everything you need to know about writing a professional summary for your CV. What did you think of the formula for creating a CV summary template? If there’s anything at all that you need to know about what to put in a CV summary then go ahead and ask in the comments section. I’ll be happy to help.

Jacques Buffett, CPRW

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Writing a personal statement for your CV

Also known as a personal profile or personal summary, a personal statement is essentially a blurb for your CV. Discover if they're really necessary, how to write one and how to make it stand out to employers

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a concise paragraph or summary, which details what you can bring to a job or company. It's also known as an opening statement or executive summary.

Sitting at the top of your CV, it's your opportunity to really sell yourself to employers and to highlight the relevant skills and experience you possess.

While effectively and succinctly convincing recruiters that you're a good fit for the role, a personal statement gives you the chance to show off your strengths and share your career goals.

'The personal profile is essentially a snapshot about you that should excite and entice the employer to want to pay closer attention to your CV,' explains James Corbin, head of the careers and employability service at the University of Kent. 'It's the sales pitch that highlights your best features.'

Do I need a personal statement on my CV?

Traditionally, almost all CV types include a personal statement but in recent years there has been some debate about whether you need to include one.

Some believe that personal profiles are one of the most important parts of a CV as they provide an easily accessible overview of a candidate's ability, while others feel that personal statements are a waste of valuable space and time.

This latter belief is often the case with graduate CVs as some recruiters feel that those just stepping onto the career ladder don't have enough knowledge or experience to warrant a personal statement. Because of this, a graduate's personal profile runs the risk of being bland and generic, which is why some employers believe that they are best suited to more senior professional CVs.

Fiona Stubs, careers manager at the University of Glasgow explains, 'I'm not in favour of writing a profile as it is hard to get right. Many students' profiles tend to include a list of common strengths without a context, in some cases stating things that should be a given, for example, hardworking and organised. I feel that profiles can be more helpful when you are more senior as you can be more specific about your skills, specialisms and successes.'

While your CV doesn't necessarily need a personal statement, employers spend only seconds looking at CVs. With this in mind a personal statement can give you an invaluable opportunity to make your application stand out to employers and to set yourself apart from the competition.

If you'd like to include a personal statement on your CV it might be best, as a graduate, to focus on your educational background and the career path you'd like to embrace. If you have relevant experiences use these to make your personal statement unique.

'Work with your careers or employability advisers to hone what you are writing. Start this process early as it can take more time than you expect,' adds James.

What does a personal statement include?

In terms of length, a CV personal profile should be no longer than 150 words. Aim for a few short sentences, four or five should do the job.

If you're struggling with what to write, break your personal statement down into three parts. Focus on:

Start by introducing yourself. For example, 'A recent graduate with a 2:1 in English literature from the Hillview University' or a 'Highly-skilled physiotherapist looking to progress into…'

Next, detail what you can offer the company. Ask yourself why you're suited to the particular role and cover any relevant skills or experience. If you lack practical work experience instead draw attention to your academic achievements such as contributing to university publications, which developed written communication, attention to detail and team working skills.

Conclude your personal statement by highlighting your career goals. For example, 'I am looking to start my career in the exciting world of publishing and to develop the skills learned through my university studies and internships.'

'Avoid using empty statements like 'I work well independently and as part of a team' - it's bland and tells employers nothing about what you’re capable of,' says James. 'On the other hand 'experienced event manager, who led a team to organise a charity ball for 150 people, raising £5,000 - a 20% increase on previous years' sounds dynamic and demonstrates your experience.'

It's up to you how you present this information; there is no hard and fast rule. However, personal statements are generally displayed as a single paragraph, without a title or subheading. You'll need to keep it consistent with the rest of your CV formatting, meaning that the font size and type will need to be the same throughout your document.

Also, consider the voice you'd like to use. Personal statements can be written in either the first or third person but you'll need to maintain this voice throughout - don't switch between the two.

Take a look at  how to write a CV .

How can I make it stand out to employers?

'Too many people stop sounding like themselves when they write cover letters or profiles,' says James. 'Employers aren't looking for some archaic scholar or someone who only writes in jargon, they are recruiting a real human and this is your chance to give them an insight into your experiences and personality.

Think about the connotations of the words you use - 'currently studying' implies things might change, 'trying' implies failure. The words you use have significant power, and should be chosen carefully to paint a positive and engaging picture.'

Find out more about the  top 7 CV mistakes .

CV personal statement examples

To help you get started take a look at the following CV personal profile examples.

As a recent graduate from the University of Townville, with a 2:1 honours degree in marketing, I have undertaken internships at industry-leading agencies such as Beyond Imagination and Noah Freemans. These placements have allowed me to develop sector knowledge and gain hands on experience, as well as expand transferable skills such as commercial awareness, communication and negotiation and analytical skills. My career aim is to gain a role which allows me to further my expertise and take on increased responsibility at a market-leading digital marketing agency.

I am a highly motivated 2:1 forensic science graduate from Groveshire University, looking to secure a graduate position that enables me to use and develop my analytical, attention to detail and communication skills. I have gained relevant experience in both scientific and hospital laboratories, which allowed me to build on my problem solving, concentration and team working skills. My career goal is to assume a role that enables me to analyse and interpret forensic data and to eventually move into crime scene investigation.

Remember; avoid copying and pasting ready-made examples. Instead use them as a guide to craft your own, tailored CV personal statement. Take a look at our  example CVs .

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professional summary examples uk

CV Personal Profile examples

Putting together a personal statement can be quite daunting as many people find it hard to talk about themselves.

To help take the sting out of putting a personal profile together we have collected some examples of completed profiles and a list of the type of things that may help you to best describe yourself and your skills.

Examples of Completed Profile Statements:

I am an experienced joiner with well developed skills and experience in groundwork, concrete finishing and steel fixing and have worked in the construction industry since 1982. I am also a skilled labourer who has supported many different trades over the years. I have a full clean UK driving licence with entitlement of up to 7.5 tonne. I am keen to return to work after a period of training and personal development which has broadened my skills and experiences.
I am a flexible and experienced insurance administrator with excellent time management skills. I am a good communicator with proven inter personal skills and am used to working in a team whilst also being capable of using own initiative. I am skilled In dealing with problems in a resourceful manner and negotiating to achieve beneficial agreement. I am always enthusiastic to learn and undertake new challenges.
I am a professionally qualified fire engineer with 7 years experience. I have recently achieved RTITB accreditation in the use of Counterbalance fork lift trucks and I am seeking employment that will make best use of my skills and allow me to develop them further. I am determined and enthusiastic, I have developed good planning & organisational skills and am confident working independently or as part of a team. I am flexible regarding working hours and am able to work a range of shifts.
I am a hard working, honest individual. I am a good timekeeper, always willing to learn new skills. I am friendly, helpful and polite, have a good sense of humour. I am able to work independently in busy environments and also within a team setting. I am outgoing and tactful, and able to listen effectively when solving problems.
I am a punctual and motivated individual who is able to work in a busy environment and produce high standards of work. I am an excellent team worker and am able to take instructions from all levels and build up good working relationships with all colleagues. I am flexible, reliable and possess excellent time keeping skills.
I am an enthusiastic, self-motivated, reliable, responsible and hard working person. I am a mature team worker and adaptable to all challenging situations. I am able to work well both in a team environment as well as using own initiative. I am able to work well under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines.
I am a dedicated, organized and methodical individual. I have good interpersonal skills, am an excellent team worker and am keen and very willing to learn and develop new skills. I am reliable and dependable and often seek new responsibilities within a wide range of employment areas. I have an active and dynamic approach to work and getting things done. I am determined and decisive. I identify and develop opportunities.
I’m a nice fun and friendly person, I’m honest and punctual, I work well in a team but also on my own as I like to set myself goals which I will achieve, I have good listening and communication skills. I have a creative mind and am always up for new challenges. I am well organized and always plan ahead to make sure I manage my time well.

To download these examples click here:  Lighthouse Project – Example statements for personal profile 2018

Examples of personal sentences for your personal profile

If your not sure what to say, or how to start then consider selecting a combination of up to 5 sentences from the list below to create your own personal profile.

Also consider adding information relevant to the job description or duties that you may be expected to undertake – this makes it personal!

 To download a copy of these statements click here:  Lighthouse Project – Example sentences for personal profiles CV 2018

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Best CV format 2023 (+ UK examples)

Karl Kahler

Successful CV formatting depends on the CV template  that you choose and how your CV format showcases your experience, skills and achievements.

Format your curriculum vitae well and both the recruiter and ATS software will find exactly what they are looking for. 

But what are the considerations when formatting a CV? While fonts and graphics are visually important, there are also deeper structural considerations. 

In which circumstances might you highlight your skills over your experience? Is there a benefit in following the format norms? How is the job seeking environment of 2023 influencing the structure of CV templates? Here is what we will cover:

How to format a CV: accepted norms

How you structure your CV format will depend on what aspects of your candidature a future employer wants to see in your application, but it is also very much dictated by the hard realities of your previous career.

Firstly, let’s explore some more universal curriculum vitae formatting questions:

Tailor your format as well as your content . While we will explore how your career circumstances might dictate a particular format choice, your CV should be designed to optimally indicate your fit with each role. If one job description is deeply prescriptive in terms of the skillset they are looking for, a skills-led functional CV might well make more sense than a traditional reverse chronological format.

There are certain widely accepted norms on how to format a UK CV that no job seeker should ignore. No matter how “innovative” you consider your application, these few simple CV format rules are nearly set in stone:

While there are many CV format choices to make, you should never veer too far away from the norm on the above questions. You want the recruiter to be noticing your skills and experience rather than questioning left-field typeface choices.

Choose a font that your future employers are used to reading . Changing a font on a CV format is not difficult, so a sneaky way of seeming to fit in is to choose one that your employers are used to reading. Look at their emails and employer branding materials – what font are they using? You might not think that it matters, but subconsciously it might well start to ring a few bells.

Now we have covered the basics, there are three main types of CV :

This is when they are typically used :

Let’s explore the three CV format types in more detail:

Reverse Chronological CV Format

Here’s a reverse chronological CV format that places recent experience at the top:

professional summary examples uk

The personal profile is the employer’s first introduction to your skills and experience so it’s important to get this section right. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the most important elements of the personal profile and offer examples to get you started.

3. Work Experience

The trick with including work experience in a reverse chronological format is to include an equal amount of content for the past 2-3 roles. This will make your experience seem more significant than if you include a lot of info on the most recent role and less on previous ones. Spread out the experience you wish to demonstrate.

4. Education

If you are a student or recent university graduate, then your education section should be included above the work experience. Education offers an important indication of potential in any early-career CV format. If you don’t have much work experience, then you should consider the merits of a functional CV.

5. CV skills section

While the skills section may not come at the bottom of the CV in some CV template formats, it is probably a section that is less visible. Your work experience sections will contain many of the key skills and attributes that an employer is looking for, so in this format skills are an added bonus (and ideally should not repeat what has been said in the employment part).

The hiring manager will notice the format before they get into the content, so the format choices that you make will form their first impression. Clean formatting and an absence of grammatical errors is one of the first things that recruiters take in when they scan a CV, according to Mashable .

Functional CV Format

Here’s an example of effective functional CV formatting putting skills first:

professional summary examples uk

When you ponder how to write a CV, there are some deep questions to consider.

3. Recruiters won’t like it, but it will make them look again.

This is a counterintuitive one, but when you put your work experience later in the CV, a recruiter or hiring manager cannot help but read your skills first. You want as much of your candidature to be considered, so this backwards approach could work.

Combination CV Format

Here’s an example of a combination CV format with a larger emphasis on skills:

professional summary examples uk

Or a more formal/expert take from the Financial Times (note how the advice differs regarding 1 and 2-page CVs):

At the end of the day, the best CV format for UK jobs is entirely dependent on the situation. Always analyze the employer and job position. In creative industries, you may add more flair and personality. For entry-level jobs a one-page CV may be more than enough. The best CV format in the UK will change with the circumstances… just as in any other country.

Europass Curriculum Vitae Format

The Europass curriculum vitae system is a well-intentioned initiative to standardize the paperwork that people use to look for jobs in Europe. It’s a web-based system for producing a free electronic document that contains your contact info, work experience, education and other credentials that qualify you to obtain employment.  

It should be said that not many European job seekers use it, for various reasons:

There will always be organisations that will request a Europass CV (often in the public sector), but unless it is requested, avoid this CV format at all costs. 

Don’t be afraid to try different formats. Certain job application processes may require more information on skills, while others will want to dig deeper into your work experience. Don’t feel that you are obligated to stick with the same CV format for every role. When you use a CV builder, the possibilities of playing around with the formats are unlimited. Go with your gut in terms of what feels right.

Three 2023 trends in CV Formatting 

2023 has brought some seismic shifts that will have an impact on the medium-term jobs market and although the reverse chronological CV has held sway for so long, the employment market is creating pockets of activity where a functional CV would work just as effectively. Here are the top 3 trends in 2023 CV formatting and formats (based on our experience and research):

1. 2023: the continued rise of the freelancer

According to  CNBC , the freelance market is booming, with more than one-third of Americans turning to freelance work this year and employers looking to hire them, especially in the fields of ecommerce, web and mobile design.

For freelancers looking to build on their current skill set, a functional CV is perfect to explore their skills in depth, especially as they are often pitching their services with little knowledge of what might be required of them.

Freelancers often have multiple clients at any one time, so rather than list them all in a reverse chronological CV, it may be more efficient to list your experiences by skill or area of functional expertise.

How to improve your CV layout

A good layout and great content is the magic recipe that recruiters won't fail to appreciate. Take your CV layout to a new level with our CV builder.

2. 2023: the dawn of the deep specialist

According to  McKinsey , specialization is the way of the future. Employees who can handle one task well are likely to fare better than generalists in the long run.

When you are deep in a certain specialization, you often require more CV real estate to do justice to your knowledge. If you also have some huge career wins, then a combination CV might be able to paint enough of a picture.

3. 2023: graduates with little experience focus on potential

Most grads might have muddled through 2020-2023 in terms of their studies, but very few will have undertaken the traditional internships and volunteer positions that have traditionally set up graduates for their first roles.

Employers are therefore being more forgiving and not expecting so much employment experience, so more early career professionals are exploring their potential with functional or combined CV formats. According to  Forbes , more than 70 percent of roles today have less requirements than one year ago.

How do I format my CV for the ATS?

When an ATS algorithm is scanning your curriculum vitae for keywords, you need to select a format where each CV section contains the normal headings and that the keywords are sprinkled throughout the document. The order of the headings doesn’t matter, but in even the most extreme of functional CVs there should still be a work experience section.

Key Takeaways 

Some key considerations to bear in mind when choosing the best CV format:

Sometimes a job search can be tough. If you have been rejected a few times and you don’t quite understand why, it may be worth considering a slightly different CV format. You can also avoid confusion and guesswork by using our recruiter-approved CV templates - a great way to save time and achieve top results!

How to improve your CV layout

StandOut CV

CV UK format examples

Andrew Fennell

If you’re searching for a job in the UK, it’s important that you write your CV in UK format.

Although CVs are largely the same across the globe, every region has style preferences that you need to adapt to if you want to get shortlisted for jobs.

This guide, along with  6  example CVs will show you the preferred CV format for the UK and provide you with some helpful notes on how to write your own interview-winning CV for the UK job market.

Bold CV builder - small

UK format Admin CV

UK Administrator CV-1

Tips on creating a strong admin/office CV …

Head with an eye-catching CV profile

Ensure that UK recruiters and hiring managers are instantly impressed, by heading your CV with an introductory profile which summarises your skills and experience, like the sample CV above.

For best results, tailor this short paragraph to include key words from the job adverts you are applying for – this will make an instant first impression and encourage people to continue reading your CV.

Add a well-tailored core skills section

If you really want to ensure that busy recruiters and managers can quickly see your suitability, add a bullet pointed core skills section which reflects your most valuable skills and knowledge. This will create a snapshot that can be quickly seen from even a brief glance at the CV – ensuring the points aren’t missed.

Write powerful role descriptions

So that readers can understand your previous jobs and the value you added, make sure the roles are well structured and written.

Start with an outline sentence to give an overview of the job and the business of the employer.

List your office/admin responsibilities, being sure to detail who you interact with in the office, the skills you use, and how your work feeds into the business.

Finish each role with some quantified key achievements , to give employers an exact impression of how you have impacted the business positively.

Bold CV builder - large

UK customer service CV

UK customer service CV-1

Tips on creating a strong customer service CV …

Ensure your customer service CV catches the attention of UK recruiters and hiring managers by writing an introductory paragraph which explains why you are suitable for the roles you are applying for.

Tailor it to match the candidate requirements of the job you are applying to – and keep it brief as recruiters see hundreds of CVs every day and don’t want to spend too much time on each one.

To ensure that your most in-demand skills are not missed – add a bullet pointed core skills section. The points will jump off the page and ensure that they are seen as soon as the CV is opened.

Pack this section full of essential customer service skills and qualifications.

Quick tip:  If you worry that your spelling and grammar might not be correct, try using our partner’s CV builder to eliminate the risk of making mistakes.

Head each role with an introduction to build some quick context for readers, outlining the role and who you work/worked for.

Bullet point your responsibilities to detail your interactions with customer and duties you perform within each job.

Add some achievements to give examples of impressive results you’ve achieved in sales or service. Add numbers to give them scale if you can.

CV UK format – Teaching roles

UK teacher CV-1

Tips on creating a strong teaching CV …

To catch the attention of recruiters and head-teachers, add a punchy profile to the top of your CV, which summarises your teaching skills and experience. It should be heavily tailored towards your target jobs so that recruiters can quickly see you are a suitable candidate.

Make your most valuable skills stand out from the page by adding them to bullet pointed core skills section underneath your profile. This will help more UK recruiters stick to your CV as they browse through the hundreds of applications in their inbox.

Your role descriptions give you a great chance to prove the impact you make in the workplace.

Start each role with an intro that describes the institution you work for and overview of what/who you teach there.

Bullet point your responsibilities to show the skills you use and how you provide education over the long-term

Add achievements to prove impact such as improved standards or impressive exam results.

UK Finance CV

UK Finance CV -1

Tips on creating a strong finance CV…

Hold the attention of recruiters and hiring managers by adding a powerful profile to the top of your CV. This is a short paragraph which summarises your skill set and quickly shows readers a high level overview of your suitability for the jobs you are applying to.

Find out what the most important candidate requirements are for your target jobs, and add your matching skills and knowledge to a bullet pointed core skills section. This will highlight your most valuable skills to UK recruiters and help you get noticed as soon as the CV is opened.

Start your roles with an intro to show readers who you work/worked for, and what the overall goal of each role is.

List your responsibilities in easy-to-read bullet points, so they can be easily skim-read by recruiters and hiring managers.

Round off each role with some impressive achievements that have had an impact on your employers or clients. Add figures to them if you really want to prove how valuable you are as an employee.

UK Graduate CV

UK Graduate CV-1

Tips on creating a strong graduate CV …

To create an impact whenever your CV is opened, write an elevator-pitch style opening profile, or personal statement . This is the place to make a big first impression by explaining why you are a suitable candidate for the roles you are applying for by giving a summary of your studies, skills and even experience if you have any.

Ensure that your most important skills and knowledge aren’t missed by adding a core skills section under your profile. Research your target jobs thoroughly, and add as many of the most frequently appearing candidate requirements as you can.

If you have any work experience then add it into your career summary – if not, you can also add voluntary work or school/university work placements .

Provide an intro outline for every role to show who you worked for and what the overall function of the job was.

Bullet point your responsibilities to showcase the skills you applied, and how they affected your employer.

If you made any impressive achievements in those jobs, add them to the bottom of your CV to show how you made a positive impact in the role.

UK format IT CV

UK IT CV-1

Tips on creating a strong IT CV…

Lead with a punchy paragraph at the top of your CV which summarises all of your tech and non-tech skills to create a solid first impression.

Be sure to tailor this profile to the jobs you are applying for so that recruiters can instantly see how suitable you are.

Adding a bullet pointed list of core skills near the top the CV, ensure that recruiters can’t miss your most valuable skills.

Head every role with an intro line to build context for readers, by outlining the company and role function.

List role responsibilities in concise bullet points to show how your technical skills are used to solve business problems.

Finish each role by listing some achievements that have had a positive effect on your employer

Writing a CV in UK format

The above examples should give you a good steer on how to create your own CV in UK format .

Here are a few final tips to help…

Think before including a photo of yourself – UK employers don’t need them to make hiring decisions, but they can add some personality to the document – especially if you work in a creative industry.

Keep it simple – UK recruiters tend to be very busy, so make your CV easy to read by keeping the font and layout simple. And keep the CV to around 2 pages in length , unlike an American-style resume which is often only one page long.

Do your research – Find out what skills and experience UK recruiters are looking for, so you can tailor your CV accordingly.

Good luck with your job search!

Search advice

Personal statement examples.

professional summary examples uk

by Michael Cheary

OK, so putting a personal statement together is never easy…

But even if you’ve written one before, how you write a personal statement will always depend on your current situation. In other words, what you write as a school leaver will look a lot different to someone who has many years of previous work experience.

To help you find the right one for you, here are some real personal statement examples – and how you can use them to make your CV stand out:

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University personal statement 

First things first: personal statements aren’t just for your CV.

They’re also a key part of the UCAS application process, and a way to sell yourself to prospective universities. However, they will be much more detailed – and longer – than the one you write for a job application.

We’ve covered everything you need to know about personal statements for university here .

School leaver personal statement example

All personal statements should be tailored to the role in question. No exceptions.

Start by answering the following three questions: Why do you want to work in this industry? What skills make you right for the role (hint: use the job description)? And where do you want to go in your career?

However, school leavers should always focus on the latter – and what you can bring to the business, as well as focusing on the knowledge and skills gained through education, rather than employment history. Soft skills are also a great place to start.

A highly motivated and hardworking individual, who has recently completed their A-Levels, achieving excellent grades in both Maths and Science. Seeking an apprenticeship in the engineering industry to build upon a keen scientific interest and start a career as a maintenance engineer. Eventual career goal is to become a fully-qualified and experienced maintenance or electrical engineer, with the longer-term aspiration of moving into project management.

School leaver CV template

Graduate personal statement example

Similar to a school leaver personal statement, but with extra attention paid to specific things you’ve studied during higher education.

Once again, try and explain why you’re applying and where you’d like to go in your career, as well as the specific skills or knowledge you can offer. But try and drop in a few more details on your degree (projected grades are fine), as well as particular modules that have inspired you to work in this profession – if possible.

And remember: a personal statement written for a CV differs greatly from one written for a university application. If you haven’t written one before, you should start by reading our tips on how to write a personal statement.

A recent business economics graduate with a 2:1 honours degree from the University of X, looking to secure a Graduate Commercial Analyst position to use and further develop my analytical skills and knowledge in a practical and fast-paced environment. My career goal is to assume a role which allows me to take responsibility for the analysis and interpretation of commercial data for a well-respected and market-leading leading company.

Graduate CV template

Unemployed/redundancy personal statement example

Dealing with redundancy is never easy. But when dealt with in the right way, it needn’t be a hindrance when making applications.

Put the main focus on your employment history, and provide further information for your break in your cover letter . You don’t even necessarily need to mention it again, if you’ve already explained it elsewhere.

Remember, your personal statement is intended to sell yourself. So emphasise your positives rather than apologising for a negative.

Driven Retail Manager with over ten years’ experience in the fashion industry. Proven track record of success, including managing the top performing store in the region, and having the lowest staff turnover rate of all UK outlets. Currently out of work due to company closure, looking for the right opportunity to bring my expertise to a well-established fashion brand in an upper management position.

How to: Deal with redundancy

Redundancy CV template

Career break personal statement example

There are many good reasons someone may need to take a career break.

Some possible examples could include parental leave, caring for a family member, plans to travel or long-term illness. However, whatever the reason for your own break, it’s never something you should feel the need to justify to a prospective employer.

In fact, knowing how to explain a gap in your CV is mostly about confidence. So leave any extra explanation for your cover letter and focus your personal statement on your career before the break – and any skills learned during your time off which may be applicable to the role.

A highly motivated and experienced PA, currently looking to resume my professional career after dedicating the last five years to raising a family. Excellent admin skills, thorough knowledge of all Microsoft Office programs, as well as proficiency in minute-taking and extensive experience liaising with clients . After volunteering for one day a week with a local charity to refresh my skills, now fully committed to continuing my career on a full-time basis.

Career break CV template

Career change personal statement example

If you’re changing industry completely, think about any  transferable skills and applicable to the sector you’re moving into.

Any numbers you can give to demonstrate your success could be crucial – even if you’re moving into an area where your expertise may seem slightly different. So always aim to back up your claims with real examples.

Focus on one or two achievements, demonstrate the impact they had, and you’ll instantly start adding value to your application.

As an experienced sales manager, my tenacious and proactive approach resulted in numerous important contract wins. My excellent networking skills have provided my team with vital client leads, and my ability to develop client relationships has resulted in an 18% increase in business renewals for my current organisation. After eight years in sales, currently seeking a new challenge which will utilise my meticulous attention to detail, and friendly, professional manner.

Final thoughts

If you’re still not sure of what to write, don’t panic.

Crafting a winning personal statement will take time, especially if you haven’t written one before. Use these examples as a loose structure to follow, and you’ll be able to add to them as your experience grows.

And remember: you should always aim to edit your personal statement for each role you apply for. That way, you can ensure you’re really selling yourself to their role, rather than simply sending the same generic statement for each application.

It should only take a few more minutes to complete. But if it’s enough to attract an employers interest, it will be time well spent in the long run.

How to write a personal statement

Personal statement dos and don’ts

Read more CV help & tips

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4 comments on “ Personal statement examples ”

they all sound fake and unoriginal…

I agree with previous comment. I have read more interesting personal statements that have a life in them

This is probably the hardest and most difficult task you will ever have to get right in your life. Unless you have the proof and evidence to prove that you have either saved or made considerable financial credits or profits on the accountancy, balance sheet of every organisation or company you have ever worked in. You are just another overhead, liability or financial risk they consider may be worth investing in which they may have to liquidate at a later point in your career unless you move on first.

Is the personal statement and objective mean the same thing?

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