ATS CV

How to Structure Your CV for Maximum Impact

Your CV's structure is just as important as its content. Learn the optimal layout to guide recruiters through your career story and make the best first impression.

July 21, 2024

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The Blueprint for a Winning CV

When a recruiter scans your CV, they spend an average of just seven seconds on it. In that short time, they need to quickly understand who you are, what you've done, and why you're a good fit for the role. A clear, logical structure is your best tool to make that happen.

A well-structured CV isn't just about looking neat; it's about creating a narrative that guides the reader seamlessly through your professional journey. Here is the standard, most effective structure for a modern CV.

1. Contact Information

This should be right at the top, clear and concise. Don't make recruiters hunt for it.

  • What to include:
    • Full Name (in a slightly larger font)
    • Phone Number
    • Professional Email Address (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com)
    • Location (City, State is sufficient—no need for a full street address)
    • LinkedIn Profile URL (make sure it's customized)
    • Optional: Link to your professional portfolio or GitHub profile if relevant.

2. Professional Summary (or Objective)

This is your 3-4 sentence elevator pitch. It sits just below your contact information and should be tailored to the specific job you're applying for.

  • For experienced professionals: A Professional Summary is best. It highlights your top skills, key experiences, and most significant achievements.
  • For recent graduates or career changers: A Career Objective can work well. It focuses on your career goals and how your skills can benefit the employer.

3. Professional Experience

This is the core of your CV. List your work history in reverse chronological order (most recent job first). For each role, include:

  • Job Title
  • Company Name & Location
  • Dates of Employment (Month, Year – Month, Year)
  • 3-5 bullet points that describe your accomplishments, not just your duties. Use action verbs and quantify your results whenever possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 20%" instead of "Responsible for sales").

4. Education

Also in reverse chronological order.

  • What to include:
    • Degree Name (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Marketing)
    • University Name & Location
    • Graduation Date (or expected graduation date)
  • What to leave out: Your high school information if you have a university degree. Your GPA if it's not impressive (e.g., below 3.5).

5. Skills

This section gives recruiters a quick snapshot of your capabilities. It's highly scannable and crucial for passing ATS (Applicant Tracking System) scans.

  • Create subheadings to organize your skills logically (e.g., "Technical Skills," "Languages," "Software").
  • Include hard skills relevant to the job description (e.g., Python, SQL, Google Analytics, Adobe Photoshop).
  • Weave soft skills (e.g., Communication, Leadership, Teamwork) into your Professional Experience bullet points rather than just listing them here. Show, don't just tell.

Optional Sections

Depending on your experience and the role, you might also include:

  • Certifications: For industry-specific qualifications (e.g., PMP, AWS Certified Developer).
  • Projects: Essential for tech roles or creative fields to showcase your work.
  • Volunteer Experience: Great for showing community involvement and additional skills.

By following this structure, you create a CV that is professional, easy to read, and optimized to make the strongest possible impression on both automated systems and human recruiters.