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CV WRITING GUIDE

CV tips that get you hired

Everything you need to write a professional CV and cover letter, step by step.

1. Keep it short and clean

  • Use 1 page if you have less than 5 years of experience, and no more than 2 pages otherwise.
  • Choose one clear font (10–12 pt for text, 14–20 pt for your name) and use it everywhere.
  • Leave white space and margins of about 2 cm so the page is easy to scan.
  • Recruiters look at a CV for about 6–10 seconds first — the most important information must be at the top.

2. Contact details at the top

  • Write your full name, phone number with country code (e.g. +92 or +966), a professional email and your city.
  • Use an email like firstname.lastname@gmail.com — avoid nicknames.
  • Add your LinkedIn link if you have one. You do not need your full home address, ID number, religion or marital status unless the employer asks.
  • Double-check that your phone and email are correct — a single wrong digit can cost you the job.

3. A strong career objective or summary

  • Write 2–4 lines saying who you are, your main skills and what job you want.
  • Example: "Registered nurse with 3 years of ICU experience, BLS certified, seeking a Staff Nurse role in Riyadh."
  • Change this section for every job you apply to so it matches the job title.
  • Avoid empty phrases like "hard-working team player" without proof.

4. Work experience that shows results

  • List jobs from newest to oldest: job title, company, city and dates (month and year).
  • Use 3–5 bullet points per job, starting with action words: managed, built, improved, trained, reduced, sold.
  • Add numbers wherever you can: "Served 120+ customers daily", "Cut stock errors by 30%".
  • Include internships, part-time work, volunteering and projects if you are a fresh graduate.
  • Explain gaps honestly in one short line if they are longer than a year.

5. Education and certificates

  • Write degree name, institute, city and passing year — newest first (e.g. BS, then FSc/Intermediate, then Matric).
  • Add marks or CGPA only if they are good (for example above 3.0 or 70%).
  • List professional certificates and short courses with the issuing body and year (e.g. BLS – American Heart Association, 2024).
  • Keep your DMCs, degrees and certificates ready — employers may ask for copies.

6. Skills that match the job

  • Split into hard skills (MS Excel, AutoCAD, patient care, accounting software) and soft skills (communication, leadership).
  • Read the job advert and use the same words it uses — if it says "customer service", do not write only "client handling".
  • List languages with level: Urdu (native), English (fluent), Arabic (basic).
  • Only list skills you can prove in an interview.

7. Pass ATS (computer screening)

  • Many companies use software to filter CVs before a human sees them.
  • Use normal headings: Experience, Education, Skills — not creative names.
  • Avoid putting important text inside pictures or text boxes.
  • Save and send your CV as PDF unless the employer asks for Word.
  • Name your file clearly: Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf.

8. Photo — only when it helps

  • In Pakistan, the Gulf and many Asian countries, a photo is common; in the UK, USA and Canada, leave it out.
  • Use a recent, clear, front-facing photo with a plain background and professional clothes.
  • No selfies, filters or group pictures.

9. Write a matching cover letter

  • Address it to a person if you can find their name; otherwise "Dear Hiring Manager".
  • Paragraph 1: the job you are applying for and where you saw it.
  • Paragraph 2: two or three achievements that match what the job asks for.
  • Paragraph 3: why you want this company, then a polite request for an interview.
  • Keep it under one page and never copy the CV word for word.

10. Common mistakes to avoid

  • Spelling and grammar mistakes — read it aloud and ask a friend to check.
  • Lying about degrees, jobs or skills — it can be checked and you can lose the job later.
  • Using the same CV for every job without changes.
  • Too many colours, fonts or long paragraphs.
  • Adding references on the CV — write "Available on request" or leave it out.
  • Outdated information such as old phone numbers or school-level details when you already have a degree.

11. Before you send it

  • Check dates, names and phone number one final time.
  • Open the PDF on your phone to make sure it looks right.
  • Follow the application instructions exactly (subject line, file type, documents requested).
  • Follow up politely after 7–10 days if you have not heard back.
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