How to Build a CV That Will Make Recruiters Reach for the Phone
Job hunting is a fiercely competitive process. Career experts report that an average of 250 CVs are reviewed for a single role.
Create a competitive edge by using an online CV builder. Get access to templates and expert advice on customising your CV to match the job you've applied for.
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Why Successful Candidates Use a CV Builder
It’s easy
Rather than starting with a blank page, our free online CV creator gives you example text to start out with. You get helpful tips and hints at every step, eliminating frustration and making it easy to create a professional document.
It’s quick
You're busy, and finding the time to review and respond to job descriptions is tough. Our online CV builder gives you professional templates so you don't spend hours looking for CV formats or CV designs. Get access to all the content you need at the click of a button.
It’s high quality
When it comes to crafting the perfect CV, the rule “quality over quantity” has never been more relevant. In fact, a study that assessed recruiters' responses to curriculum vitaes using eye-tracking technology, showed that readers favour those that are professionally prepared.
The documents with less information that were clear and evenly-formatted were categorised as “easier to read”, increasing the candidates’ chances of being rated as a “fit” for the organisation.
Free up valuable time
Your time is precious. Using an online CV builder gives you the guidance you need, cutting down the time you need to spend on choosing templates and writing content. Instead, use that time to apply for jobs and attend interviews.
3 Common Questions From UK Jobseekers
1. What information needs to be on a CV?
Information that needs to be on a CV includes:
- Personal statement: A punchy statement showing potential employers why you’re the right person for the job.
- Employment history: Include all relevant roles you've held, right up to your current (or most recent) position.
- Education: Relevant academic qualifications or degrees, from most to least recent.
- Achievements & awards: Highlight key successes - this is not the time for modesty!
- Key skills: Mention those listed in the job description, including any technical qualifications or software packages you're proficient in.
Our free online CV builder guides you through how to include all these essential components into your CV.
2. How many pages should a CV be?
A CV should be a 1-2 pages of A4. Here’s how to include all the information:
- Use appendices and portfolios: Consider adding the extra detail in a separate document.
- Sleep on it: It’s amazing how a little time will help your editing skills.
- Get a second opinion: An objective third party like a trusted friend or colleague can suggest what to cut.
- Link to online portfolios: These add more context, if you have them.
- Use our online CV maker: We'll help you to ensure your CV is the perfect length while still capturing all the vital details.
3. What are some tips for creating the best CV?
Create the best CV by paying close attention to every detail. Here are some tips:
- Make sure your email address is appropriate: 76% of CVs with unprofessional email addresses are discarded.
- No formal employment history? Focus on your most relevant skills or activities, like internships, apprenticeships, or volunteer work experience.
- Quantify your achievements or example, “Story selected for front page publication in XX publication out of 800+ submissions".
How to Choose the Right CV Builder
The right CV builder gives you a very real competitive advantage. A simple template isn't enough - the right tool will offer you more guidance and examples to build a perfect CV quickly and easily. Here are 10 important criteria to consider.
1. Provide plenty of example CVs to refer to
Your CV must be closely customised to match the job you've applied for. A CV creator that has different CV examples for your job and industry will give you maximum inspiration when creating your own document.
2. Include a variety of professional CV template options
When it comes to CV templates, there is no “one size fits all” approach. It’s important that the CV design presents content within a layout and structure that works for the role you're applying for. A great CV builder will offer a range of options.
3. Offer multiple output formats
While there may still be the odd occasion where you’re asked to produce a hard copy of your job application documents, such as your CV and cover letter, the majority of job applications these days are online.
However, the application process itself is far from standard – with each asking for different formats of your application documents.
It’s important that a CV builder equips you with what you need to submit an application that meets the exact requirements the organisation is asking for.
A great CV maker should offer you the option to create and save your CV in both a Word document and PDF format, so you’re not left scrambling at the last minute when it comes to uploading your final application!
4. Offer sample text to help build your CV
One of the best ways to make your CV stand out is by using the right language. You want to come across as educated, but not too formal; confident, but not arrogant. Sample text helps you to gauge what's appropriate, quickly and easily. Don't get stuck at square one: use one of the hundreds of pieces of sample text in our builder to create your perfect CV.
5. Give you tips and advice at every step
A CV builder should be like a helpful friend, with hints and help at every step of the process. This makes it quicker and easier to make your CV and then start submitting applications. Our CV builder goes a step further, even providing suggested content to help you with CV writing.
6. Be online
Flexibility is massively important when you're taking the next step in your career. Timelines can be short, and you may need to build or edit your CV at short notice, when you don't have a computer to hand. Having access to an online CV maker that can help you build your CV anytime, anywhere is essential.
7. Have been used by millions of other jobseekers
We all pay attention to recommendations when choosing products and services. A new CV maker might be intriguing, but it's not guaranteed to give you the same results as one that's tried and tested. Choose a CV builder with experience under its belt. MyPerfectCV has been helping millions of successful job seekers for over a decade, and we're confident that we can help you too.
8. Allow you to create multiple different versions of your CV
Each role requires a customised application. But building a CV from scratch each time is slow and hard work. Our CV maker allows you to create and save multiple unique CVs, one for each application.
9. Also offer cover letter builder functionality
Your CV is half of your job application - and your cover letter is the other half. Create a strong, positive impression with matching templates and content that syncs up by using the same builder for both documents.
10. Let you try it for free
You wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive first, right? So before you pay for a CV builder, try it out. MyPerfectCV lets you try building your CV for free, so you can see first-hand how easy it is, and how professionally your CV will turn out.
See Popular CVs Created in a CV Builder
Using an online CV builder helps you to create a stronger CV. Built by career experts, our builder has helped millions of jobseekers to build personalised CVs online and get interviews. With easy steps to follow and tips at every stage, you'll have a brilliant CV in no time.
Academic CV example
Looking for a role as a professor, lecturer or academic researcher? Your curriculum vitae should include your education, papers you've published, research projects, and great grades. Just choose a design and get started!
Admin CV example
Admin roles require require outstanding organisational and time-management skills. But versatility is also important, so don't forget to consider transferable skills and relevant achievements that may help you stand out as the perfect candidate.Administration CV example
The combination of our CV maker and templates will handle a lot of fuss when you need a new CV. We'll help you to showcase relevant work achievements and experience, while ensuring that the CV format is on point for your industry.
Bartender CV example
Generate a CV in just a few clicks with our CV maker. Our templates give you designs to choose from and guide you to include the right sections of information. We'll also help you showcase your experience handling customers and maintaining health and safety standards.
Chef CV example
Our templates make it quick and easy for chefs who need to write CVs. When combined with out free builder, you have all the right ingredients for a customised curriculum vitae that will win recruiters over. Don't wait around - start now.
Customer service CV example
Examples of customer service CVs show you what employers expect. Add in our templates and CV maker and you've got everything you need to build a customised CV, quickly and easily. We'll break it down into just a few easy steps.
Engineering CV example
Engineering candidates appreciate the precision that our CV builder and templates offer. We'll help you summarise your employment history and key skills into a concise CV format, and our free tips will ensure you meet or even exceed expectations that recruiters have of you.
English CV example
English CVs follow particular standards. We'll help you to generate a document that appeals to potential employers by using an appropriate template, including the right sections, and taking a professional tone. You'll stand out from the competition for all the right reasons.
Excellent CV example
Serious about taking your career to the next level? Show recruiters you’re a highly-skilled professional with a strong template, relevant information, and a concise personal statement. Generate a CV that will secure you the job interview with our professional CV builder.
Good CV example
The difference between a good and an average CV is simple: it's about professionalism. Appeal to potential employers with a professional CV template, powerful personal profile, and a concise employment history section. Our online CV maker gives you everything you need to create a good CV quickly.
Graduate CV example
As a new graduate, your CV may be light on the work history side. Focus on what you've achieved in your education, and transferable skills from hobbies and projects. Make sure your personal details are up to date so you're easy to contact.
IT CV example
Upgrade your career in IT with a smart new curriculum vitae. Our templates and CV maker make it quick and easy. Include a strong personal profile to concisely communicate what you have to offer, and beat the bots by including key words and phrases from the job description in your employment history.
Marketing CV example
Get recruiters’ attention with an eye-catching CV. Our templates provide the structure, our examples and sample text help you with the writing, and our CV maker brings them all together in one handy place. Our free tips will help you stand out for all the right reasons.
Nursing CV example
Creating the perfect nursing CV can be tricky: you need to show you have the right qualifications for the job, while also demonstrating essential personal qualities, likes compassion and empathy. Our builder helps you make a professional curriculum vitae that wins recruiters over.
Project manager CV example
Are you an experienced project manager with your eye on your next role? Build your CV online with MyPerfectCV and you'll get access to professional templates and tips that will help you stand out in a very crowded marketplace.
Retail CV examples
Ready for the next step in your retail career? Use our retail CV templates and builder to sell the recruiter on you - as the perfect candidate for the job. Write a strong personal profile, showcase key skills, and create a professional looking CV that makes you stand out from the crowd.Retail assistant CV example
Using specific key words and phrases will help you create a CV that will pass through ATS filters with ease. Our builder will help you to drop these in to one of our free CV templates, customising sample content to match the specific retail assistant role that you want.Simple CV example
A simple CV template is never an inappropriate choice. Our builder helps you to communicate your experience and achievements in a clear, clean layout, and display it in a clean, clear way. With tips at every stage you'll build your CV online quickly.
Teacher CV example
Passionate about educating the next generations Demonstrate you’ve got what it takes with a stand-out CV. Our templates will help you to best to present vital information, and our builder will help you to customise the content for the specific role that you've applied for.
UK CV example
Applying for a job in the UK? Our example CVs and online CV maker are the perfect place to start. We'll help you to create a locally appropriate curriculum vitae, using a professional CV template, in just a few easy steps.Create a Professional CV
Not all online CV makers are created equal. There are plenty of platforms that will help you throw a generic document together, but it's unlikely they'll exude the professionalism to land you the job you want.
Don't allow your CV to land in the an employer's rubbish bin. A high quality CV should secure you an interview by:
- Using a polished, ultra-professional CV design.
- Including keywords from the job ad.
- Showing that you meet the criteria for the advertised role.
- Highlighting relevant and impressive achievements.
- Including correct, up-to-date personal details.
That’s a lot to try and fit into two sides of A4!
A great CV builder doesn’t just collect basic information and automatically generate a CV. Instead, it guides you through the process of crafting and curating your CV to best represent you in the employment market.
What Are You Waiting For? Start Building Your Perfect CV Now
The UK employment market is extremely competitive and when you apply for your perfect job, you'll be up against a large group of applicants.
Using a CV builder will help to present you as a serious, professional candidate who will impress employers and secure the interview. The first step to a perfect job is a perfect CV. And your perfect CV is closer than you think: get started with our online CV builder now.