Top CV Examples

A curriculum vitae, or CV, is a job application document that summarizes your academic background and career history. The following CV template examples — accessible on any device — show you how to make a CV for different jobs, industries and career stages.

Grad school CV example

This grad school CV sample perfectly illustrates how to include your previous academic achievements, awards, internships, research positions or coursework.

Academic CV example

Notice how this sample weaves in publications, grants, fellowships and awards sections to make a convincing case for the candidate’s academic background and achievements.

Professor CV example

Use this well-written professor CV sample to inspire you to highlight your educational background, teaching experience, research, and publications.

Student CV example

Observe from this student’s CV how to showcase the right publications.

Government CV example

This government CV sample is a great starting point to see how you could explain your role in various community initiatives, social services, projects and administrative work.

Executive CV example

Here’s a great executive CV sample that shows a few practical ways you could describe your work history and professional summary to prove your leadership skills.

CV Examples by Job Title

Browse professional CV examples for every job and industry to help you craft a high-quality document and get the attention of a potential employer. Find a CV example for your job title, edit it in our Builder, download and send!

Accounting

Accounting CV Examples

Administrative

Administrative CV Examples

Billing

Billing & Collections CV Examples

Business

Business Operations CV Examples

Computer Hardware

Computer Software CV Examples

Construction

Construction CV Examples

Copywriting

Copywriting CV Examples

Hotel Hospitality

Culinary CV Examples

Customer Service

Customer Service CV Examples

Datasystem

Data Systems Administration CV Examples

Dentistry

Dentistry CV Examples

Transportation

Driving CV Examples

Electric

Electrical CV Examples

Engineering

Engineering CV Examples

Sales

Finance CV Examples

Foodservice

Food Service CV Examples

Healthcare

Healthcare Support CV Examples

Human Resources

Human Resources CV Examples

Hvac

HVAC CV Examples

Informaton Technology

Information Technology CV Examples

Janitorial

Janitorial CV Examples

Law

Law CV Examples

Maintenance

Maintenance CV Examples

Marketing

Marketing CV Examples

Mechanics

Mechanics CV Examples

Nursing

Nursing CV Examples

Pharma

Pharmaceutical CV Examples

Production

Production CV Examples

Quality Control

Quality Control CV Examples

Real Estate

Real Estate CV Examples

Retails

Retail CV Examples

Safet Security

Safety & Security CV Examples

Sales

Sales CV Examples

Human Resources

Social Services CV Examples

Statistic

Statistics CV Examples

Web Developer

Web Development CV Examples

What Is a CV?: Key Differences Between A Resume

A curriculum vitae (CV) is a document some job seekers use to apply for jobs. In Europe, CVs are the standard hiring document.

In the U.S., only specific industries prefer CVs over resumes, including academia, medicine, research and the sciences. For most other industries, resumes are the standard.

A CV is similar to a resume but includes more sections and details about you. This might include information about your degrees and awards, research, published works, teaching experience, and more.

CVs can vary in length. Some very experienced job seekers could have a CV of up to 10 pages long. By contrast, resumes are at most two pages.

Often, an employer will request a CV. See below for the differences between a CV and a resume and which document is right for you.

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CV

  • Emphasizes academic accomplishments.
  • Used primarily when applying for positions in academia.
  • Varies in length; how long a CV is depends on your experience.
  • Should include a list of your publications, awards and presentations.
Resume Icon

Resume

  • Emphasizes skills and work experience.
  • Used by applicants seeking positions in the private and public sectors.
  • Should be one to two pages maximum.
  • Have a variety of formats, which should be chosen depending on your level of work experience.

How to Make a CV: Key Sections

Check out this perfect CV example for an executive assistant to understand how to make yours:

Senior Executive Assistant Example CV 1Senior Executive Assistant Example CV 2
  1. 1

    Contact information

    Include your basic details, as the curriculum vitae example shows.

  2. 2

    Summary

    In clear sentences, mention your best skills and qualifications, like in the example on your CV.

  3. 3

    Skills or Core competencies

    However you choose to title this section, it lists your top attributes and abilities.

  4. 4

    Work history

    Highlight specific achievements from previous jobs using numbers and active language.

  5. 5

    Education

    List your academic background here, and keep it to the bare details you see here.

  6. 6

    Awards and Honors

    If you have academic achievements of note, list them in a devoted section.

  7. 7

    Publications

    Feature any books or articles you’ve published in papers or academic journals.

  8. 8

    Presentations, lectures and exhibitions

    Note any events that you’ve facilitated, presented or helped to organize.

  9. 9

    Certifications, professional licenses and affiliations

    Cite accreditation and group membership that help show your industry expertise.

How to Write a CV Tips

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Use a pre-formatted CV template.

Starting with a CV template with the key CV sections outlined correctly is a big time-saver.

Our CV templates are preformatted documents created by professional designers. They’re ready to use, so you don’t have to worry about formatting your CV to ensure it looks professional and eye-catching.

LiveCareer also offers free CV templates in various styles, including modern, traditional and professional.

From here, the design is immediate, and your sections are all organized. You just have to write your CV.

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Tailor your CV for each job by incorporating keywords.

Identify keywords — such as key job requirements, skills or qualifications — from your desired job’s advertisement and include them on your curriculum vitae to quickly show recruiters that you have what they’re looking for.

Only select the keywords that most accurately match your abilities, and avoid copying and pasting large swaths of text from the job ad onto your CV.

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Impact your statements with action verbs.

Make your CV achievements sound more impressive by beginning each sentence with a strong action verb.

Action verbs like “led,” “collaborated,” and “supervised” help recruiters immediately get an idea of your role and accomplishments.

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Quantify achievements to stand out.

Another way to easily convince recruiters of your impact in previous roles is to quantify your achievements.

When you use numbers, percentages and dollar amounts to explain the scope and results of your work, you speak an employer’s language. You’ll let them know how much money you saved, how you increased profits or how many people you impacted.

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Optimize your CV for academia or research positions.

If you possess advanced degrees and want to pursue a career in academia or research, you should optimize specific areas of your CV.

For instance, when writing your CV achievements, emphasize the experiences you contributed to research to show recruiters that you’re familiar with this type of work.

Highlight any teaching experience, as this can make you a shoo-in for assistant professor positions at colleges and universities.

Another way to capture recruiters’ attention is to mention any grants or funding you’ve been awarded to complete your research and list peer-reviewed publications that legitimize your findings.

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Try a CV builder.

For a full-service experience, use a CV Builder. It features 25+ professionally designed CV templates; you can switch designs with a single click!

Our builder suggests phrases customized to the role for which you’re applying!

Career experts craft this industry content for your CV, which you can customize and edit.

It’s helped thousands of job seekers earn their dream positions and can help you, too!

What Users Say About Our Builder

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine whether I should use a CV or a resume?

Using a CV versus a resume depends on what job you’re applying for, where that position is located and whether an employer requests one.

To decide, check the job post. Otherwise, search online about the application standards of the country where you’re applying.

How to turn a CV into a resume?

You can transform your CV into a resume by reducing your document’s length to one or two pages. You can achieve this by selecting the necessary information relevant to your desired job. Then, reorganize your layout to fit the three classic resume formats.

Is it worth getting a CV done professionally?

Learning how to write a resume or CV is a skill that takes time. So, if you need a CV quickly, LiveCareer offers two options:

  1. The high-tech way to generate a CV: Use our CV Builder. It’s automated to walk you through the process with step-by-step guidance and text suggestions based on your desired job. Plus, it takes care of design elements!
  2. Get your CV written by our team of professional resume writers. Provide your personal information, online or during a short consultation, and our writers will craft a document tailored for you.

Build My CV

What are the best hobbies and interests to put on a CV?

The hobbies and interests you choose to share should be relevant to the position for which you’re applying.

Companies look for employees who fit their culture. For example, highlighting any secondary languages or interest in history or photography is relevant when applying for a travel writing job.

What are examples of the differences between CVs and resumes?

CVs and resumes do have some differences; here are examples:

  • CVs tend to be longer than resumes and feature more sections.
  • CVs are primarily used to apply for academic and scientific positions in the U.S.
  • CVs are more likely to feature photos than resumes.

What are some good CV skills examples?

Good CV skills include teamwork, communication, problem-solving, time management, adaptability, leadership, critical thinking, and relevant technical skills. Also, include industry-specific abilities like data analysis, project management, or coding. Tailor your skills section to the role you’re applying for to increase your chances of standing out.

Where can I find CV profile examples?

You can reference the 100+ CV samples on this page, each with unique CV profile examples tailored to different roles and experience levels. A strong CV profile should introduce yourself by sharing your most job-relevant qualifications, skills, and education.

What should you not put in a CV?

Avoid including CV information that elicits potential bias. This includes information about your age (e.g., graduation dates), political or religious affiliations and personal information (e.g., marital status).

Some experts warn against having a photo on your CV or resume for the same reasons. However, in some countries, a photo is standard. Check first!

Learn More About CVs

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