CV in English: Example, Template & 10 English CV Writing Tips

Writing a CV in English doesn’t have to be difficult if you know what recruiters expect to see in such a document. In this guide, I will show you a professional English CV sample and share tips on how to create one for yourself.

You will learn what information to put in an English CV, how to describe your work experience, and how to highlight your skills to stand out from other candidates. On top of that, you will discover a few tricks that will make your English CV writing easier than ever.

Create an effective CV in just a few minutes. Pick a professional CV template and quickly fill in all sections of your CV thanks to our expert tips and ready-to-use CV samples. 

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Looking for a guide on how to write an English CV but explained in Polish? Go to: przykład CV po angielsku and CV po angielsku: zwroty.

Read also:

• Architect CV
• Engineer CV
• Programmer CV
• Waitress CV
• Professional CV template.

CV English — Example (for an Operations Manager)

1. Start Your English CV With a Strong CV Objective or Summary

The first time a recruiter looks at your job application is usually the most important. So, how do you make your English CV stand out? I’ll tell you one thing: you just need a great CV objective or summary.

What’s the difference between the two? Choose a CV objective when you are early in your professional career and you’re focused on your future goals. Use this English CV section to describe what’d you like to do in a new position and what value you can bring to the company.

If you’re a more experienced professional, choose a CV summary. In this case, you should list your biggest achievements in previous roles, talk about your professional experience, and show off your expertise. 

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Still not sure? Read this study — it shows that HR managers spend only 6 seconds skimming every CV they receive. That’s why you need to start strong. Have a look at the example of a summary in a CV in English below:

CV English — Example of a Career Summary 

A great CV objective or summary can persuade the recruiter to invite you to the job interview. You don’t need to create it from scratch: choose an objective or summary written by an expert and add it to your CV with one click. 

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2. Strategically List Your Skills in an English CV

A powerful list of skills in a CV is what employers are looking for. But list only the ones that relate to a role you’re applying for. This part of your CV in English should be used to present you as competent and well equipped for the exact position you’re targeting.

It’s wise to divide this list into soft skills and hard skills. Everyone talks about hard skills because they’re measurable but according to this study run by LinkedIn, more than 90% of HR Managers perceive soft skills in CV as key to career success. That’s why your CV in English should feature both types of your skills.

Also, if you have any proof for a specific skill, e.g. some certifications or courses, do not hesitate to mention them in your CV. 

Here’s an example of how to list your skills in an English CV:

English CV — Example of Skills

3. In Your CV in English, Include a Convincing Work Experience Section

There’s no doubt that the Work Experience section of your English CV is what employers and HR managers focus on mostly. So, look at the job offer, see what phrases are used there and try to list your previous duties and responsibilities using similar words. Why? To let them know you are already experienced in what they would require you to do at their company. 

When you do that in your CV in English, be specific. Use numbers and show how your previous employers benefited from your work. Don’t be afraid to brag a little — it’s recommended that you list achievements on your CV. 

You’re at the beginning of your professional career? It’s not that hard to write a CV in English with no experience. Did you take part in any internships or voluntary work? List them as your work experience and convince the HR manager that it taught you useful skills you can use in your next job.

See an English CV work experience section example below:

CV English — Example of Work Experience

You don’t need to be experienced in CV writing. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready CV samples adjusted to your job title and industry. Pick and customize them to your needs in no time.

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4. Don’t Undervalue the Education Section of Your English CV

Let’s be honest. It’s possible that your future employer doesn’t care about your education. What they want is your experience and skills. Despite that, never skip the Education section in your CV in English, especially when your degree is connected to what you’re doing professionally.

It’s enough to write what university you graduated from, your degree, and years attended. If you took part in some interesting and relevant additional projects during studies, list them as well. You can also add your GPA (if it’s above 3.5) and scholarships. 

Look at the example below:

Education in CV English — Example

4. Add a Short Section With Your Hobbies to Your English CV

Describing your hobbies in an English CV sounds absurd to you? You’re wrong. Although this is one of the optional CV sections, it pays off to briefly mention your interests. Do you want a proof? According to this study, you’re more likely to get a job interview if you and your potential employer share similar hobbies.

Also, you can be smart about it show how your hobbies are beneficial to your personal and professional growth. Not sure how to achieve this effect in an English CV? See the example below:

CV English — Example of Hobbies

5. What Else Do You Need to Know About Writing an English CV?

Before you finish writing your CV in English and apply, there are several additional things you should check.

First, if you want to get a job in the European Union, always remember to add the so-called GDPR consent statement at the very bottom of your CV. This is the correct English version of GDPR consent statement:

GDPR consent statement on a CV (klauzula CV in English)

The good news is that if you apply for a job in the United Kingdom (and prepearing CV in UK) or USA, you don’t need to include it at all. But, when looking for a job in USA, check if you need CV or resume.

Second, make sure to avoid typical mistakes in your CV in English. What does it mean? Check the grammar, eliminate typos, and above all, never lie on your CV. The last point is really important because in most cases you will get caught — usually during a job interview.

Third, submit your CV in the PDF format, even if you created it as a DOC file. This will help you avoid problems with file formatting. When applying for a job in the EU, you can also try the Europass CV format, but it’s definitely less popular among recruiters.

Sending your CV via email? Come up with a catchy but professional email subject and body. If you really want your potential employer to open the attachment with your English CV and read the entire document, your email application needs to stand out, too.

Want to quickly add the GDPR consent statement on your CV? Create a CV in our builder. The tool will automatically put the right clause where it should be and you won’t have to worry about the formalities. 

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If you have any questions about writing an English CV, don’t hesitate to comment below. I’ll make sure to help you and give you more tips.

Jak sprawdzamy treści na LiveCareer?

Nasz zespół sprawdził ten artykuł pod kątem zgodności z procesem redakcyjnym LiveCareer.pl. Dzięki temu porady naszych ekspertów są spójne z aktualnymi standardami i trendami w pisaniu CV oraz listów motywacyjnych. Zaufało nam już ponad 10 milionów kandydatów, którym pomogliśmy zdobyć wymarzoną pracę. Przygotowanie każdego z artykułów jest poprzedzone uważną analizą dostępnych raportów i badań, aby nasze treści odpowiadały na aktualne potrzeby rynku pracy.