Writing a great CV in 2021 is no easy task. Fortunately, reviewing CV examples from other candidates in your industry or situation can help you get started.
Our list of situation-specific CV examples is ideal for job seekers of any sort, whether you’re a school leaver or are years into your career.
Table of contents
- Professional CV example
- Creative CV example
- Simple CV example
- Graduate CV example
- Student CV example
- 6 sections to include in your CV
- CV examples by industry
Professional CV example
This professional CV was written by a candidate with over four years of work experience.
In the example, the candidate is applying for a mid-level business analyst position.
Why this is a great example of a CV
This example starts off with a bold, formal header that commands attention. Then, it wastes no time presenting the candidate’s primary job skills and qualifications.
Note that by the time you’re halfway through the page, you’ve already got a general idea of what this candidate offers in terms of experience. In a competitive job market, this is one of the most effective ways to grab the attention of employers and ensure they continue reading the rest of your CV.
Creative CV sample
This creative CV was written by a candidate with just two years of experience.
In the example, the candidate is seeking a position as a graphic designer. Note that their CV adds creative flair while still maintaining an easy-to-parse, professional CV layout that’s sure to win over even the grouchiest employer.
Why this is a great example of a CV
If you’re looking to stand out from the rest and showcase your creative side, this CV example demonstrates exactly how to do that without sacrificing professionalism. By starting with a splash of colour and a unique, cheeky font choice, it’s creative without being overbearing.
The candidate who wrote this CV then promptly moves into their professional experience, starting with their CV personal statement and qualifications. This method is a great way to balance the formality of the traditional job-seeking process with the need to show your personality and creativity.
Your CV’s style should grab attention from the start, with the goal of moving employers into your professional experience and qualifications. This CV sample successfully achieves that goal.
Simple CV example
This CV was written by a retail associate with over 5 years of work experience, and is a great example of a simple CV that isn’t dull.
Why this is a great example of a CV
A perfect example of minimalism in action, this candidate uses their CV to present their experience and qualifications in a concise, professional fashion.
That doesn’t mean that their CV lacks information, however — quite the opposite. In fact, it’s the simple design of this CV that helps draw employers’ attention directly to their employment history (and keeps it there) by keeping distractions to an absolute minimum.
If you’re applying for positions in more formal industries such as law or finance, often it’s best to use a conservative CV design like this one to keep things professional and let your accomplishments do the talking.
Graduate CV example
This CV was written by a recent university graduate with less than a year of internship experience.
Why this is a great example of a CV
As a recent graduate, this candidate doesn’t yet have much formal work experience. However, that doesn’t stop them from writing a great CV.
Notice that the candidate starts their CV with their most marketable qualities, opening with a lengthier-than-average personal statement and a comprehensive list of their relevant CV skills. Following this, they move into a detailed account of their education.
This helps guide the attention of employers away from their limited work experience, and towards what they do have, namely technical skills and a newly minted degree.
Student CV template
This CV was written by a current uni student who’s seeking their first internship opportunity.
Why this is a great example of a CV
Like the graduate CV, this sample makes up for a lack of work experience with a robust introduction and education section.
Additionally, this CV uses a “relevant experience” section instead of one labelled “work experience.” That’s because this candidate has no full-time work or internship experience yet.
Instead of job positions, they list relevant coursework on their CV under where their work experience would go. This is a clever way to expand on broader skills and qualifications without relying on traditional on-the-job experience.
6 sections to include in your CV
If you’re still unsure how to put together your CV, here’s a basic outline you can use that explains each section in detail and what you need to include.
1. Contact details
FIRST AND LAST NAME
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 07911 123456 | Address: 20 Deans Yd, Westminster, London, SW1P 3PA | Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile
2. CV personal statement
Passionate [industry] professional with [# of years] years of experience. Seeking to leverage my expertise in [relevant skills] to fill the [position name] position at [Company’s Name]. A dedicated worker aiming to help contribute to [Company’s Name]’s goals and quickly take on more responsibility.
3. Education
Degree Name & Classification
University, Location | Start Date – End Date
Relevant Modules: List any modules that are relevant to the position here, separated by commas
4. Work experience or relevant experience
Most Recent Job Title
Employer Name / Location / Start Date – End Date
- Include a bulleted list of your accomplishments
- Add numbers to some of these bullet points to demonstrate your accomplishments
- Use four or fewer bullet points for each position you include on your CV
Earlier Job Title
Employer Name / Location / Start Date – End Date
- List relevant accomplishments from a previously held position
- If you no longer perform this job, make sure you use past tense verbs to describe the experience
- Unless you lack work experience, all the positions you list on your CV should be relevant to the job you’re applying for
5. Relevant skills & certifications
- List your relevant skills and certifications
- Include a mix of technical skills and soft skills (such as communication) to show that you’re a well-rounded candidate
- Be as specific as possible with your technical skills. Mention the names of software or tools you can use
6. Hobbies
- List some of your notable hobbies
- Employers like to get to know the person they’re hiring, and hobbies are a great way to show you have interests outside of work
- Any organisations or sport clubs you’re involved in should be listed here
Industry-specific CV examples
Our collection of industry-specific CVs is sure to have something that suits your needs. You can download all these CV examples for free and use them as inspiration:
