Build a CV That Shows What You Can Do
Need help turning a blank page into a confident CV? You’re in the right place.
This toolkit is your step-by-step guide to creating a CV that’s not only honest and clear but also tailored to you. Whether you’re just starting out, returning to work, or switching paths, your CV should show your value, potential, and personality.
📄 A good CV is a key to opportunity. Employers use it to decide who gets an interview, so it’s worth taking the time to get it right. This toolkit brings together trusted templates, writing tips, real-world examples, and free tools to help you:
- Understand what to include (and what to leave out).
- Highlight your experience, even if it’s not traditional.
- Make your CV friendly for both humans and bots.
- Tailor your design to fit the role.
- Proof, polish, and press send with confidence.
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Why You Need a CV
Your CV is your personal story on paper. It tells employers:
- Who you are
- What you’re good at
- Why you’d be a great addition to their team
Even if you’ve never had a formal job, your experience still matters. Volunteering, caring for others, school projects, or community involvement all show skills that employers value.
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What to Include
You don’t need a perfect background, just an honest one. Here’s what to include:
Must-Haves
- Your name and contact details
- Short personal summary (just 3–4 lines)
- Key skills (e.g. communication, teamwork, problem-solving)
- Experience (paid work, volunteering, community roles, or informal jobs)
- Education or training (courses, school, online learning)
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Nice to Include
- Hobbies and interests (only if they show useful qualities)
- Languages or awards
- Access needs (if you’d like to share this in a cover letter)
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✅ Quick-Reference: CV Do’s
Why it matters | What to do | Simple tips |
First impressions | Keep it short | 1 page is best if you’re early in your career. Use clear fonts like Calibri or Arial, size 11 or 12. |
Easy to read | Use clear structure | Order it like this: Contact info → Personal summary → Education → Skills → Experience → Extras |
Relevance | Match each role | Use keywords from the job ad. Move the most important points to the top. |
Strong impact | Show achievements, not just tasks | ❌ “Did social media” → ✅ “Increased Instagram followers by 35% in 4 months” |
Works for people & software | Use plain words and standard headers | Skip tables, columns, and fancy designs that confuse automated systems. |
Confident tone | Start bullet points with power verbs | Use words like “led,” “created,” “organised,” “supported” |
Finishing touch | Proofread twice | Read it out loud. Use a grammar checker. Ask someone you trust to check it. |
Contact ready | Use a simple, professional email | john.smith@gmail.com looks better than xxgamerqueenxx@hotmail.co.uk |
🚫 Don’ts (Common Mistakes to Avoid)
- Don’t cram the page. Leave space between sections so it’s easy to scan.
- Don’t lie or stretch the truth. It can backfire later.
- Don’t list everything you’ve ever done. Only include what matters for the job.
- Don’t mix tenses. Past jobs = past tense. Current roles = present tense.
- Don’t add personal info like your photo, date of birth, or marital status.
- Don’t use fancy fonts, emojis, or colours. Stick with one clean font.
- Don’t start with “I’m seeking a challenging role…” Instead, say what value you bring.
- Don’t paste long links. Use short links or hyperlink your words.
- Don’t talk about pay or references unless asked.
- Don’t name your file “cvfinalNEW.docx.” Use something like: FirstName-LastName-CV-May-2025.pdf
Pick a Template That Fits the Role
Job Type | Best Template |
Creative | Canva, Google Docs |
Admin or Office | National Careers Service Word Template |
Academic or Tech | Overleaf or Word Chronological Layout |
First-time Jobseeker | Skills-based layout with short bullets |
🧰 Free Tools to Build and Improve Your CV
Templates & Layouts
- Canva Resume Builder – Easy drag-and-drop designs (Free)
- Google Docs Templates – Clean layouts (Free)
- Word Templates – “Modern” or “Swiss” designs (Free with Microsoft Word)
- Overleaf LaTeX – Best for science/academic roles (Free)
Feedback & Proofing
- Grammarly – Spelling and grammar help (Free)
- Hemingway Editor – Makes writing clearer (Free)
- Jobscan – Matches your CV to job ads (5 free scans per month)
- ResumeWorded – Suggests changes to language and keywords (1 free scan per week)
People to Help You
- National Careers Service – Free phone advice and templates
- Manchester Work Clubs – In-person CV help and job support
- LinkedIn Resume Builder – Creates a CV from your profile
📝 How to Use This Toolkit
- Choose a template
- Write a rough first draft
- Run it through 1–2 feedback tools (Jobscan, Grammarly, etc.)
- Edit and clean it up
- Ask someone to read it over
- Save it as a PDF
- Apply with confidence
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CV Example One (1)
Jane Smith
Manchester, UK
📧 jane.smith@email.com | 📞 07900 123456
🔗 linkedin.com/in/janesmith
Personal Statement
Creative and organised individual with strong communication and teamwork skills. Passionate about inclusive storytelling and digital content creation. Looking to start a career in communications where I can support projects that make a social impact.
Key Skills
- Clear and engaging written communication
- Social media content creation (Instagram, Canva, TikTok)
- Team collaboration and meeting deadlines
- Community outreach and event support
- Basic design and layout using Canva
- Organisation and time management
Education & Training
Digital Marketing Short Course – Google Digital Garage (2024)
Topics included SEO basics, social media strategy, and content planning.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Media – Manchester College (2021–2023)
Achieved: Distinction Merit Merit
Experience
Volunteer Social Media Assistant
Manchester Community Food Bank (Oct 2023 – Mar 2024)
- Created weekly Instagram posts using Canva to share donation needs and success stories
- Increased follower engagement by 40% over 5 months
- Wrote short blogs for the website to highlight volunteer voices
Peer Mentor
Manchester College (Sept 2022 – June 2023)
- Supported new students with settling in and study tips
- Ran drop-in sessions to answer questions and build confidence
- Built active listening and problem-solving skills
Projects & Extras
- Designed posters for a local youth theatre production
- Helped organise a community clean-up day with 20+ volunteers
- Wrote a personal blog on everyday activism and inclusive language
Hobbies & Interests
- Photography and visual storytelling
- Writing short creative pieces
- Supporting youth-led events
- Listening to podcasts about mental health and identity
CV Example Two (2)
Ahmed Khan
Birmingham, UK
📧 ahmed.khan@email.com | 📞 07400 654321
🔗 linkedin.com/in/ahmedkhan
Personal Statement
Friendly and reliable person with a strong work ethic and a passion for helping others. Known for staying calm under pressure and working well in a team. Looking to build experience in customer service and grow within a supportive retail environment.
Key Skills
- Confident, polite communication
- Problem-solving and conflict resolution
- Cash handling and till use (basic)
- Punctual and organised
- Fast learner and adaptable
- Understanding of different customer needs
Education & Training
Retail Works Training Course – Jobcentre Plus (March 2024)
Covered customer service, teamwork, and workplace rights.
GCSEs – Birmingham Community School (2020)
English (C), Maths (C), Science (C), Business Studies (B)
Experience
Community Café Volunteer
Local Youth Centre, Birmingham (Nov 2023 – Present)
- Greeted and served customers in a friendly and helpful way
- Helped manage stock and refill supplies
- Kept the space tidy and followed food safety rules
Part-Time Carer for Family Member (2021–2023)
- Developed patience, empathy and responsibility
- Managed household tasks, appointments and communication
Projects & Extras
- Helped run a charity raffle at a community event
- Completed online customer service training (via LearnMyWay)
- Attended mock interview workshops with local employment centre
Hobbies & Interests
- Playing football and staying active
- Learning about healthy cooking
- Watching documentaries about different cultures
- Listening to motivational podcasts
