6.1 What should be included in a CV?

Figure 6 CV checklist

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Illustration of a clipboard with ticks down the page with a large 'CV' in front of it.

Figure 6 CV checklist

Whether you are updating an existing CV or creating a new one, you need to know what to include and exclude.

Any CV should include:

• your contact details
• a ‘personal profile’, which summarises your main skills and career aims
• your education and qualifications you have gained including dates and grades
• any work experience stating your responsibilities and main achievements
• your main skills
• relevant interests or activities, such as languages, IT or sports captaincy
• your references. Give the names of two people who have agreed to provide a reference, or say that you can provide details on request.

You don’t need to include your nationality (unless you need a work permit), age, marital status or health.

Now you need to understand the different ways in which this information can be presented in a CV. You will explore two types of CVs in the next section.