CV Examples & Expert Tips for 2025

A CV—which stands for “curriculum vitae”—is a structured document that presents your professional and academic background, including degrees and work experience. 

You might need a CV to apply for academic, medical, scientific, or research positions, as these fields require more information about an applicant’s educational background.

Your CV should be well-structured, easy to read, and tailored to the job or academic position you’re applying for. It can be multiple pages, especially for academic or research-focused roles.

The length of your CV will depend on your unique work history, credentials, and academic background. Here are a few guidelines to consider: 

• Entry-level and early career professionals: One to two pages (focus on essential skills, a strong education section, and relevant experience). 
• Mid-level professionals: Two to three pages (include detailed work experience, key achievements, and additional sections like certifications or presentations). 
• Academics, researchers, and senior-level professionals: Three or more pages (include relevant research, publications, grants, and presentations). 

We have some of the best CV examples to inspire you, and our CV Maker allows you to include all the sections you need to complete your CV and achieve the ideal length.

Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes and CVs for the core competencies and qualifications they are seeking. 

Our CV examples and templates guide you in formatting your CV correctly, boosting your chances of passing ATS screening with a professional CV tailored to any job.

Explore our ATS resume writing guide for additional tips on crafting a resume or CV that passes automated screening tools and reaches hiring managers.

Some employers (and countries) are OK with having a job applicant’s photo appear on their CV, but it’s not common practice in many countries, such as the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia. 

Unless a photo is required (for example, a professional headshot for an acting CV), it’s best to leave it out to keep the focus on your qualifications.

We recommend exploring our ChatGPT CV guide and prompts to learn how to use AI tools to improve the content of your CV.

In the U.S., a CV and resume mean different things. A U.S. resume is usually one to two pages long and documents your work experience and skills—most job applications require a resume. 

Outside the U.S., a CV has the same function as a U.S. resume, providing a snapshot of a job applicant’s professional career and job-relevant skills and career achievements. 

Explore our CV vs. Resume guide for additional guidance on the differences between CVs and resumes and how to determine which document is right for you.

Skills, a strong professional summary, and work experience are essential components of a compelling CV. Hiring managers will look at your CV to see if you can perform the job. 

They’ll also seek evidence of academic achievements, recognitions, and certifications that highlight your expertise and credibility in your field or specialty. 

Ensure your academic history and related sections (publications, awards and honors, presentations, etc.) are complete and robust, particularly for a student CV. 

Explore our CV examples for students with no experience for expertly crafted samples and tips for crafting a CV for your first job.

A CV is a professional document and should only include relevant information. Notice that our curriculum vitae examples only mention what is essential to the job application.

Don’t include anything that might be too personal, such as your complete mailing address, information about your personal life, marital status, or date of birth.

Making a CV for your first job is similar to crafting one for a job if you have experience. Follow the tips below to get started: 

• Review CV examples from your desired job or industry to get some inspiration and see the best practices. Not every industry will have the same CV sections.
• Highlight your core qualifications. Focus your CV on your academic highlights and credentials, such as your GPA, impressive projects, and relevant coursework. 
• Mention any extracurricular, volunteer, or school-related activities that show your best abilities, such as honors work, research groups, internships, or fellowships.

Our guide on writing a resume without experience includes helpful tips and tricks that can be applied to crafting a CV with minimal experience.

A CV template is a pre-formatted document that provides a structured layout for organizing your professional and academic details.

It helps streamline the CV-writing process by ensuring consistency, readability, and a professional appearance.

We offer a selection of professionally designed, easy-to-customize CV templates suitable for many industries.