What to Put on a CV: The Complete Checklist

Every CV needs, at minimum: your name and contact details, a short summary or profile statement, work experience in reverse-chronological order, education, and a skills section. That's the core structure most ATS parsers and human readers expect.

Your summary should be three to four lines, not a paragraph — what you do, your strongest relevant skill, and what you're looking for. Skip generic filler like "hard-working team player"; be specific about the actual work.

For each role in your experience section, lead with what you achieved, not just what you were responsible for. "Reduced page load time by 40%" tells an interviewer more than "responsible for site performance."

Optional sections worth including if relevant: certifications, notable projects, languages, and — for early-career candidates with limited work history — a slightly expanded education section covering relevant coursework or academic projects.

Sections to leave off unless specifically asked: a photo (illegal to require in most English-speaking hiring markets and can introduce bias), references ("available on request" is assumed, don't waste space), and hobbies, unless genuinely relevant to the role or a strong conversation starter.