How to write a CV: the UK government’s own checklist

The National Careers Service is the UK government's free careers advice service, and its guide to writing a CV is one of the clearest starting points there is.

It treats your CV as your first chance to promote yourself, and keeps the rules simple:

• Make it easy to scan. A clear font such as Arial or Calibri at size 11 or more, one consistent style, headings and bullet points.
• Tailor it to the job. Match the skills the advert asks for. If there's no job description, use the service's job profiles to see what employers in that field look for.
• Include the essentials: contact details, a short introduction, education, work history and references.
• Leave out personal details such as your age, date of birth, marital status and nationality.
• Describe each job briefly, with the employer, your title, the dates and two or three lines on what you did, using the STAR method.

It also covers gaps in your work history and what to do if you have little experience, by drawing on projects, volunteering and hobbies.

Good for: anyone writing their first CV, or checking an old one against the basics.