How to Start a CV - Writing Tips & 19 Examples

To get you started, here’s a video overview of what a CV should include to start it off:

Knowing how to start a CV is the key to landing the job you want. You need to convince the recruiter immediately that you’re a top candidate for the job.

So start your CV with a 3–5 sentence or bullet point introduction called a personal statement (also known as a CV summary, personal profile, or about me) that gets employers’ attention with your most job-relevant professional and/or educational achievements.

Here’s how to start a CV the right way:

Here’s an example of how to start a CV if you don’t have work experience yet:

And this is an example of how to open a CV if you have work experience:

Still having trouble figuring out what to write? Use a CV builder that composes a CV opening based on your experience. Or keep scrolling to read our tips for starting off your CV or look at role-specific CV introduction examples.

5 tips for starting off your CV

Struggling to think of what to write about in your CV? Don’t worry — we’ve all been there. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Start with your CV header

The section an employer might glance at before they read your CV introduction is your header with your name and contact information. Making a well-designed header is important because it helps the employer remember your name and where to find your contact information.

To make a CV header that differentiates you from other applicants:

• write your name in extra-large text (up to 30 points)
• clearly list your contact details (email, phone number, address, and relevant online profiles)

This is an example of a great CV header:

2. Read the job advert again

If you’re having writer’s block, take another look at the job advert. You’re looking for any part of the job description that you can connect your experience to.

For example, if the employer emphasises that they’re seeking a team player who knows how to take the lead when necessary, you know that you’ll need to write about your most successful group project or the time you stepped up and led an initiative at work.

Writing about such experiences will trigger your memory of other great examples to highlight on your CV.

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3. Research the company

Another good way to get ideas for starting a CV is by researching the company. Here’s how:

• read through the company’s website
• look at its social media profiles (including its employees’ LinkedIn profiles)
• check for news stories (Google the company name and click ‘News’ under the search bar — or in the ‘All filters’ menu if it’s not there)
• find its latest annual report online

When you get a clearer picture of what the company’s goals and challenges are, you’ll know better how to frame yourself as the solution in your CV.

4. Make an outline and brainstorm

Staring at a blank page can be daunting, so start by writing an outline of the sections in your CV. Your outline should include your:

• personal statement
• work experience
• education
• skills list
• hobbies and interests
• extra sections as needed (e.g., for language skills or IT skills)

Leave lots of blank space between each item in your CV layout, and jot down anything relevant that comes to mind. Brainstorming like this will give you plenty of details to organise into a job-winning CV.

Always start your CV outline with your personal statement, but rearrange the following sections to ensure your most job-specific information is at the top of your CV. For example, if you don’t have much work experience, move your skills and education above your work experience to make a skills-based CV.

5. Use a CV template

An easy way to start off your CV is to use a CV template that guides you through what to write in each section. Here’s a template you can copy and paste into Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or whatever writing software you use:

16 job-specific CV opening examples

Another way to figure out how to start your CV is by looking at how successful applicants from your industry have started theirs. So here are CV opening examples for:

1. Students
2. IT and engineering
3. Customer service
4. Administration
5. Marketing
6. Creative roles
7. Health and social care
8. Security and public safety

1. Students

Looking for work to support your studies or writing a CV for your first job out of university? Here are two examples of how to start a CV as a student:

Student CV opening with no work experience

Student CV opening with internship experience

Related CV samples: recent graduate, law student, medical student, student nurse, student ambassador

2. IT and engineering

If you’re targeting a job in IT or engineering, start your CV with a summary of your technical expertise and achievements, like these applicants do:

CV opening for an IT job

CV opening for a civil engineer

Related CV samples: IT, engineer, cyber security, data analyst, civil engineer, computer science

3. Customer service

These are examples of how to get the attention of employers in the customer service industry with your CV opening:

CV opening for a call centre agent

CV opening for a wait staff role

Related CV samples: waiter/waitress, customer service, delivery driver, shop assistant, hospitality

4. Administration

Here are two examples of CV openings for administrative roles:

CV opening for an administrative assistant

CV opening for a receptionist

Related CV samples: administrative assistant, receptionist, personal assistant, project manager

5. Marketing

If you work in marketing, you know how important it is to get your audience’s attention immediately. Below are two CV introductions designed to do just that:

CV opening for a digital marketer

CV opening for a marketing manager

Related CV samples: digital marketer, marketing manager, PR, business analyst

6. Creative roles

Read these CV opening examples to get ideas for how to be creative with your own:

CV opening for a graphic designer

CV opening for a photographer

Related CV samples: graphic designer, photographer, interior designer, fashion, architect

7. Health and social care

Here are examples of well-written CV introductions for physical and mental health-related job applications:

CV opening for a nurse

CV opening for a counsellor

Related CV samples: nurse, counsellor, carer, personal trainer, public health, pharmacy assistant

8. Security and public safety

These CV opening samples will help you learn how to start a CV that secures the public safety job you want:

CV opening for a door supervisor

CV opening for a security officer

Related CV samples: door supervisor, security officer

FAQs about how to start a CV

Still unsure how to start your CV? We’ve answered the three most common questions about starting a CV below:

1. How do you finish a CV?
2. How do I start an email when sending a CV?
3. How do I start a CV letter?

1. How do you finish a CV?

You finish a CV with your least important — but still job-relevant — information. Typically, your hobbies and interests section is the final part of your CV.

And remember, when you finish writing your CV, you need to proofread it, ask a friend to take a look, and then edit it at least one more time before sending it to the employer.

2. How do I start an email when sending a CV?

These are some good examples of how to start an email when sending a CV:

• My name is [Your Name], and I’ve attached my CV and cover letter for [Company Name]’s open [Position Title].

Don’t forget to write a polite salutation before your email’s opening line, following this format:

Dear [Contact Person’s Title and Surname],

For example:

Dear Mr Fantinelli,

3. How do I start a CV letter?

Start a CV letter (more commonly referred to as a cover letter) with a statement designed to get the employer interested in hiring you. For instance, you can start your CV letter with:

• a job-related achievement (including hard numbers if possible to really make your accomplishment stand out)
• a statement about how you’ll help the company solve a specific problem or reach a certain goal
• information that shows your company research
• appropriate humour (not too corny, or you’ll get an eye roll rather than a job interview request from the employer)