CV Example and What Goes Behind Writing a Complete CV

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

The article explains what a CV is and the aim of writing it. Two broad categories of a CV and the components of a CV are explored. Lastly, the article concludes with a hypothetical CV example of a graphic design student.

[Featured Image]: A job applicant in a shirt and tie talks to a hiring manager while holding his CV.

Knowing how to write an outstanding curriculum vitae (CV) is essential to the job search process. A CV is your greatest chance of catching the eye of the human resource professional or potential employer, and a crucial opportunity to set yourself apart from the competition. In a competitive employment market, standing out is crucial. Unlike a resume, a CV allows you to identify yourself to the potential employer, express your motive for joining the organisation, and offer a background of your triumphs and skills.

So, how can you compose the ideal CV? Allow us to shed some light on important factors you ought to know in order to ace that CV.

Aim of a CV

A curriculum vitae notion could be best interpreted as the path of someone's academic and professional life. In summary, organisations requesting these papers are extremely keen to know about a person's well-rounded qualifications for the position, as demonstrated by education and accompanying work experience. 

Types of CV

A CV may be divided into two categories:

  • Skills-focused CV: Profession shifters, recent graduates, and people with employment gaps in their job experience will benefit from it.

  • Job-focused CV: Good for demonstrating professional experience and for persons moving up in their careers.

Components of a CV

A CV is an extensive description of your experience and talents, usually two or perhaps more pages long. You might require several variations of a CV for different kinds of employment, just as you would with a resume. Here are some components to consider adding to your CV:

1. Details: Provide your entire name, current address, phone number, and email address in your contact information. Your birth date is unimportant, and you don't need to attach an image unless you're looking for something like a performance or modelling role.

2. CV profile: A CV profile is a brief description that emphasises your essential skills and distinguishes you from the competition. It is typically seen at the top of a CV and highlights a few key accomplishments and talents while also articulating your professional goals. As your CV will be job-oriented, an excellent CV profile concentrates on the industry of the job you're applying for. Personal statements for CVs should be brief and succinct; no more than 200 words is ideal [1].

3. Education: Make a list of all past education, particularly professional qualifications, and include the dates. Put the latest ones at the top. Also include the type of higher education, qualification, grades, and timeframes. Specific modules should only be mentioned when they are necessary. Make sure to mention the names of the universities you attended, as well as the dates you attended them, in reverse chronological order.

4. Professional experience: In reverse chronological order, include your professional experience, ensuring that everything you describe is relevant to the position you're looking for. Incorporate your employment title, the firm's name, how long you've been there, and important tasks. This part should appear before schooling if you have a lot of useful, relevant work experience.

5. Abilities and accomplishments: Here, you list the different languages you know and the computer programmes you know how to operate. You must include vital abilities essential to the position you're applying for. Don't oversell your skills; you'll have to prove your statements during the interview. If you have a lot of job-oriented skills, a skills-based CV is a good idea.

At this point, you do not have to include the identities of your referees. You can state, "References subject to availability upon request," however, most some recruiters may interpret this negatively, so you can leave this out if you're short on space, or do not want to reveal the identities of your references.

6. Statement of objectives: An aim describes the sort of job you would like to do and the industry you want to be apart of. In roughly three or four phrases, a personal statement of objectives tells the company who and what you really are. You can mention what you're presently doing for work or school, what drew you towards the position you're going for, why you are sitting for it, as well as your professional objectives. An aim and a statement of objectives are both optional, and go underneath your contact information.

CV example

The following CV example is for a graphic design student:

Personal Details

Name: Ms Sunita Singh

Address: 218-D Hudson Street, Opposite St. Catherine Church, Chambra

Email Address: sunita.singh@gmail.com

Mobile/Telephone Number: xx67xx-09xx81

Nationality: Indian

Professional Interests

Animation, 3D sketching, logo design, business colour palette building, 2D illustrations

Profile

Graphic design student with a high level of expertise and experience in a variety of techniques, including vector graphics and assemblages. Highly skilled in Adobe's suite of products, including InDesign, Dreamweaver, and Illustrator. Significant experience using digital advertisements and social media graphic content to execute an effective digital marketing strategy. Specialising in assignments in which she can apply her extensive understanding of company logo design, advertising, and copywriting.

Education

2011-13: St. John’s Girls Community College

2004-11: St. John’s Girls Junior School

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Mother Mary College of Design

Non-Academic Achievements

  • Ballet lead dancer throughout 2012 and 2013

  • An active member of St. John’s Girls Community College’s community outreach club

  • An active member of St. Catherine Church

References

  1. Mr William Johnson (St. John’s Girls Community College’s community outreach club head, xx41xx-20xx01)

  2. Ms Alaska Aiden (Ballet instructor, xx58xx-33xx71)

Article sources

  1. Indeed. "How To Write a Personal Statement for Your Resume, https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-personal-statement-on-cv/." Accessed 27 May 2026.

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