CVs

You should include:

• your first name and surname – usually at the top as a heading in large, bold letters
• the town or city you live in
• mobile number
• email address
• a link to your LinkedIn profile, if relevant

International students should also add their nationality and work permit status. 

A profile statement is an optional three- to four-line summary of why you're suitable for a role. It should highlight your main skills, knowledge and experience, as well as where you gained them.

It should cover three key points:

• Who you are – eg "Second year BA Business Management student"
• What you're good at – eg "with exceptional skills in communication and customer service from numerous customer-facing and supervisory roles"
• What you want to do – eg "seeking a placement year in financial services"

For some roles, such as in the science, IT or creative industries, employers will want to know what technical skills or knowledge you have. Including a dedicated section early on in your CV can help highlight your relevant experience.

Examples

• "Thorough working knowledge of C++"
• "Proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator"

List your qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent. This can include:

• Details about your current course – such as your modules, assignments or dissertation topic
• A brief summary of your A-levels and GCSEs (or equivalents) – you don't need to list all your subjects, but most employers will be interested in Maths, English and Science

List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent. This can include placements, voluntary jobs and full- or part-time roles.

Make sure to include:

• your job title
• the company or organisation you worked with
• dates of your employment

Our top tips

• Keep the list concise – focus on your skills and achievements rather than tasks
• Group similar jobs together if the list becomes long
• Highlight relevant experience – emphasise aspects that are useful for the role you're applying for
• For less relevant roles, cover the key transferable skills you gained
• If you have relevant experience you want to draw attention to, consider adding a separate section for it above your other experience

This section is an opportunity to make your CV more personal by highlighting the activities you're motivated and passionate about. It can include:

• sports you take part in
• artistic activities
• community involvement

Try to make your interests engaging by adding details such as:

• why you do them
• how long you've been doing them
• how often you do them
• what skills you have gained from them

If relevant, add the following line to the end of your CV: "References are available on request"

Referees are people you've worked with who can vouch for your skills, experience and character. They can include:

• an academic referee, such as a personal tutor or course tutor who knows your work
• a current or previous employer from paid or voluntary work

You should have two referees who have given you their permission to be contacted by employers.