400+ CV Examples
(+ How to Write a CV Tips)

A CV, also known as a curriculum vitae, is a detailed document that provides information on academic training, work experience and top skills. The length can vary depending on the amount of experience you have and what you’re applying for. In comparison, resumes are meant to provide a “snapshot” of a job applicant’s professional career, focusing on job-ready skills and career achievements, so they tend to be shorter and generally one to two pages long.

The length of your CV will depend on your unique work history, credentials and academic background. As long as you address all the important elements of your career, including work and school achievements, it can be any length needed (although it’s recommended that most CVs stay under 10-pages long). Just use our curriculum vitae examples on this page as a guide.

A CV is a professional document and should only include relevant information. Don’t include anything that might be too personal, like your full mailing address or information about your personal life or interests that don’t apply to the job you want, such as your marital status or your date of birth. You will see that our curriculum vitae examples stick just to what’s important to the job application and don’t mention anything that isn’t necessary.

Many employers now use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes and give candidates a thumbs-up or thumbs-down based on the content—which means that having a polished, straightforward, readable document is a must. Our CV examples and templates are purposely built to pass ATS without a hitch, so rest-assured that you’ll get a professional CV for a job every time.

Some employers (and countries) are OK with having a job applicant’s photo appear on their CV, but it’s not common practice in countries like the U.S. or UK. Even employers who accept photos on CVs won’t be put off if you don’t have one, so stay on the safe side and submit your CV without a photo.

Skills and experience. Hiring managers will look at your CV to see if you can perform the job. They’ll also seek out evidence of academic achievement and recognition that highlights your expertise and credibility in your field of specialty. Make sure your academic history and related sections (publications, awards and honors, presentations, etc.) are complete and robust. If you need any inspiration on what to write, you can always come back to view our CV examples.

How to make a CV for your first job:

1. Choose a CV template.
2. 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.
3. Highlight your core qualifications.
4. Focus your curriculum vitae on your academic highlights and credentials, such as your GPA and relevant courses you’ve taken.
5. Mention any extracurricular, volunteer or school-related activities that show your best abilities, such as honors work, research groups, internships or fellowships.