What to include on a CV
Use this as a structure checklist, not a requirement to include every possible section. The strongest CV contains the information a reader needs for the particular role, organised so it is easy to find.
Guidance by LadderReady. External references belong to their respective publishers and do not imply endorsement of LadderReady. Follow the employer’s application instructions.
A strong CV usually includes
- contact details
- a short professional profile
- relevant work experience
- education
- skills
- optional sections where they strengthen the application
Not every CV needs every section: relevance to the role matters more than filling space.
Core CV sections
Contact details
Name, dependable email and phone details, plus location and relevant professional links where appropriate.
Professional summary
A concise overview of your relevant experience, strengths and intended contribution.
Experience
Role, organisation, dates and focused evidence of responsibilities, contributions and results.
Education
Institution, qualification, subject and dates, with selected detail when it supports the role.
Skills
Relevant technical, practical or language skills described accurately and at a defensible level.
Optional sections when relevant
- Projects: the goal, your contribution, tools used and useful outcome.
- Certifications: the credential, issuing organisation and dates where applicable.
- Portfolio or professional links: only links that help the reader assess your work.
- Other evidence: relevant volunteering, awards, publications or professional activity if it strengthens the application.
A project can be especially useful when it demonstrates a skill that is not obvious from your job titles. State what you personally contributed, rather than listing only the team or technology. For certifications, include the credential and issuer so a reader can understand what was earned.
What not to include
Avoid unnecessary personal information, references or “references available on request”, irrelevant hobbies, outdated or unrelated details, unsupported skill claims and generic objective statements that add no useful information.
Conventions vary by country and industry, so check whether items such as photos or references are expected for the role rather than treating one rule as universal.
Turn the checklist into a CV
Add your career information once, then choose the sections and details that fit each application.
LadderReady keeps one Master Profile as your factual career history, so you can create multiple separate CVs or resumes, choose which details appear in each version and customise an existing free template before downloading the finished PDF for free with no watermark, no credit card and no paywall at download. Learn more about creating multiple CVs from one profile.
Sources and scope
UK National Careers Service: how to write a CV describes common CV sections in a UK context. University of Oxford careers guidance: CVs discusses relevant evidence, optional details and differences for academic CVs. This checklist is LadderReady’s own selection, not a universal requirement or a verbatim version of either source.