What Makes a Good CV in the UK? (+ Examples)

What makes a good CV? Fortunately, the answer to how to write a good CV is much easier than you would assume. You just need to know what to pay attention to, and the entire writing process will be quick and easy!

To help you out, I've also prepared some good CV examples, so you can check out what a great CV should look like. Without further ado, let's begin!

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Good CV example #1

Good CV example #2

Now that you’ve seen some outstanding CV examples, it’s time that I show you what makes a good CV.

What makes a good CV stand out?

1. It’s up-to-date

A good CV is always up to date. Be super diligent about checking all the dates and contact information. After all, you don’t want to miss a job opportunity just because you forgot to update the phone number on your CV!

Here’s what to include in a good CV header:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Email address (but make sure it sounds professional)
• LinkedIn profile or a link to your website

Read more: How to Include Your CV Personal Details

2. Perfect formatting

Nothing makes the recruiter’s life easier than a well-formatted CV that’s quick to scan. Recruiters are really short on time as they take only 7.4 seconds to scan a CV initially. Pick a good CV format that will suit your needs best:

• Reverse-chronological format: it’s the most popular CV format and recruiter’s favourite. It should suit you well if you have some professional experience.
• Functional format: consider it when you’re just starting out on your professional journey or going after an entry-level job.
• Combination format: it’s pretty rare but it’s perfect for career changers who want to highlight their transferable skills.

No matter what CV format you choose, here are some design tips to make your CV look good:

• Margins: set margins to 1 inch on all sides.
• Font choice: opt for professional, good CV fonts like Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, or Times New Roman.
• Font size: use 14–16 pt for section headers and 12 pt for the main body text.
• Formatting: use bold for emphasis but sparingly. Underline section headers for clear separation, and use italics for secondary details like locations.
• Length: aim for a one-page CV, though two pages are acceptable for highly experienced or senior candidates.

Read more: Different CV Formats

3. Impressive CV profile

No example of a good CV can go without the ultimate magnet for recruiters’ attention—a well-crafted CV profile, aka CV summary. The details of writing this short introduction to your CV depend on how experienced you are. No matter if you’re a rookie or a true pro, you should briefly highlight who you are as a professional, what can you offer to the employer, and what are your career goals.

But that’s not all.

If you're an experienced professional, here's what to do to make a good CV intro: Begin by listing your key strengths, including the skills and experience that demonstrate your ability in the field. Next, review the job description and pick out 3–4 points that align with your own qualifications. Use these to craft a tailored CV summary that highlights how your experience matches the specific needs of the position you're applying for.

But—if you're at the beginning of your career and have little to no experience, take a different approach. Focus on your skills and experience, emphasising your education and any relevant practical experience, even from unrelated jobs. Combine this with your enthusiasm for the role and an understanding of the employer's needs to show you're a strong candidate.

Read more: How to Write a CV Profile: Examples and Tips

4. Relevant work experience

Another thing that makes a good CV is that it’s relevant to the job offer. Especially in terms of experience. You don’t have to list everything you’ve ever done unless you want to bore the recruiter to death.

To create a standout CV, your work experience section needs to be spot on, clearly showing your qualifications for the role. Follow these steps:

• Start with your most recent position and work backward.
• List your current job title or position.
• Include the company name and its location.
• Use bullet points to outline your key responsibilities—limit it to six for your current role, with fewer for past jobs, keeping descriptions concise.
• If applicable, add key achievements (1–3), selecting those that are the most impressive.
• Use action verbs to highlight your active role in each job.
• If you've been promoted, make sure to note that, and group multiple roles at the same company.

One last thing: all good CVs rely on the power of numbers. That’s why you should quantify your achievements whenever possible to make your CV truly impressive.

Read more: How to Add Work Experience to a CV

5. Neat education section

It might be tempting to gloss over it, but what’s true for other CV sections, is valid also for this one—a good education section contributes to a good CV.

Here’s what you should include:

• Degree
• The school’s name and location
• Graduation date (and if you’re still studying, the expected date of graduation)

Got a lot of experience? List only your last degree. If you’re just starting out, add some relevant details such as relevant coursework and more.

Read more: What to Include in Your CV Education Section

6. Skills that the employer actually needs

What makes a good CV? Certainly not listing all the skills you can think of. Just like with presenting your experience, relevance is key to writing a good CV. But—many candidates mistakenly think that cramming their CV with an extensive list of every skill imaginable will make it stand out. Don’t be one of them.

Here’s how to make a good CV skills section:

• Keep a balance between hard skills and soft skills, as they’re equally valuable.
• Reread the job offer to identify the key skills the company needs.
• Highlight these skills in the skills section of your CV, but ensure you're honest—don’t claim skills you don’t have.
• Be specific when listing skills, especially since applicant tracking systems (ATS) scan for keywords. For example, if the ad mentions 'Microsoft Word,' don’t just list 'Office'—otherwise, you may be overlooked.

Read more: How to List Your Skills on a CV

7. Additional CV sections

What makes a good CV truly stand out from the thousands of other job applications? A strategic use of carefully curated extra CV sections. Here are some you can add to your CV:

• Hobbies and Interests—picking generic hobbies like "reading" or "watching movies" won’t make a good CV. Instead, choose interests related to the job. For example, when targeting a tech role, mention "coding personal projects" or "participating in hackathons." For marketing, highlight "writing a blog on digital trends." Tailoring your hobbies and interests helps demonstrate relevant skills, especially if you’re new to the industry.
• Certificates and Licenses—this section allows you to highlight any relevant courses, certificates, or awards. They can give you an edge over other candidates. Simply list the certificate or course name and the year you obtained it.
• Volunteer Work—volunteer experience is often overlooked by candidates, both experienced and inexperienced. However, it shows that you care enough about something to dedicate your free time to it. This section is especially useful if you have limited job experience, as it can demonstrate skills, professionalism, and maturity.
• Foreign Languages—fluency in foreign languages can make you a top candidate for many positions. List each language and your level of proficiency. Depending on where you're applying, choose the most appropriate proficiency scale to indicate your skill level.

Read more: CV Writing Tips & Expert Advice [+ Examples]

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8. Matching cover letter

Yes, I know that we’re analysing what makes a good CV, and it seems like a cover letter is an entirely different matter (rhyme intended). But—a good CV can become even more powerful if it’s accompanied by even a short cover letter. Need data to convince you? 83% of hiring managers view cover letters as important. If this stat doesn’t convince you, then I don’t know what will!

Read more: How to Write a Cover Letter

9. Proofreading

You put a lot of effort into writing your CV, so don’t risk falling for a mistake that can break it. Poor grammar or spelling will make the recruiter think that you lack attention to detail, and what’s worse—they’ll assume that you simply don’t care.

No good CV was ever made without proofreading. Here are some tips to help you out:

• Use tools like Grammarly or built-in spell checkers to spot mistakes.
• Reread your CV slowly and out loud to catch errors you might miss.
• Have someone qualified review your CV for feedback.

Read more:Proper CV Layout

10. Honesty

This should be pretty obvious, but lying on a CV is always a bad idea. Misrepresenting your skills or experience can get you hired for a role you're not qualified for, which can harm both your career and the company.

Plus, employers often verify information even after you get the job, and any false claims could result in getting fired or damaging your professional reputation. A truthful CV demonstrates integrity and ensures you're a genuine fit for the position.

Read more: Lying on a CV: Is It a Good Idea?

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your CV 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:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key takeaway

Maybe you thought that making a good CV must be hard work. But—it can be easy as long as you remember what makes a good CV:

• Using a CV format best suited to your situation
• Filling it with up-to-date and relevant experience and skills
• Attaching an impactful cover letter that will wow the recruiter
• Proofreading and editing
• Sticking to the truth
• Making your CV aesthetically pleasing
• Adding some extra CV sections

Now that you have everything you need to make a good CV, start writing! But before you do that, you can reach out to me in the comments section. I’ll be happy to help you out with the details of what makes a good CV and more!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

Our editorial team has thoroughly reviewed this article to ensure it follows Zety’s editorial guidelines. Our dedication lies in sharing our expertise and providing you with actionable career advice that offers you real value. Every year, the quality of our content attracts 40 million readers to our site. But that’s not all – we conduct original research to gain a detailed understanding of the labour market. We take pride in being cited by top universities and leading media outlets in the UK and worldwide.

Sources

• TheLadders, "Eye-Tracking Study"
• Human Resources Online, "Are cover letters important? 83% of recruiters say yes"