How to write a CV from scratch, section by section

Before you start: gather your materials

Writing a CV is faster if you collect the information first. Pull together the start and end dates of every job, the names of the companies, your qualifications with grades, and any certifications. Jot down two or three results for each role: numbers, projects delivered, targets hit. You'll use these details to fill in each section without stalling.

Pick your target role too. A CV written for a specific position converts far better than a generic document. Keep the job ad in front of you: you'll work its keywords into the right sections.

Step 1: contact details and professional profile

At the top of the page, put your first and last name, phone number, a professional email address and your city. Add your LinkedIn URL if it's up to date. Skip your date of birth, marital status and ID numbers: they're irrelevant and dated.

Below your contact details, write a two- or three-line professional profile. It's the first thing a recruiter reads. Sum up who you are, how many years of experience you have and what you bring to the company. For example: "Sales associate with 5 years in retail, specialising in customer management and upselling." Concrete, not generic.

Step 2: work experience with results

This is the most important section. List your experience in reverse chronological order: most recent first. For each role, give your job title, the company, the city and the dates.

Under each entry, add two or three bullet points. Don't just describe your duties: show your results. Instead of "managed the warehouse," write "cut order fulfilment times by 20% by reorganising the warehouse." Numbers make the text credible.

Start each bullet with an action verb: managed, coordinated, increased, reduced, implemented. Match your language to the wording in the job ad.

Step 3: education, skills and languages

After your experience, add your education: qualification, institution, year and, if it's strong, your grade. Recent graduates should move this section higher, before their experience.

Then your skills. Split them into technical skills (software, tools, certifications) and soft skills relevant to the role. Avoid endless lists: choose the ones that matter for the position.

Close with languages, stating your level on the European framework (A1-C2). Be honest: your level gets tested in the interview.

Step 4: proofreading, format and sending

A CV with spelling mistakes gets binned straight away. Read it through twice, then have someone else read it too. Check that dates and names are consistent.

Keep the format clean: a single font, plenty of white space, one or two pages at most. Always save as a PDF so the layout doesn't break. Name the file clearly, for example First-Last-CV.pdf.

Add a data-processing consent line (GDPR) at the bottom if it's required for applications in your country.

For the full picture on structure, templates and mistakes to avoid, read the complete guide How to write a perfect CV. When you're ready to write yours, use the free EuroCV CV builder: create and download your CV with no limits, using ready-made templates that follow these exact steps.