How to Write the Perfect CV, Resume & Cover Letter: A Complete Guide

CV vs Resume: What's the Difference?

Resume: A concise 1-2 page document highlighting relevant experience and skills for a specific job. Common in the US and Canada.

CV (Curriculum Vitae): A comprehensive document (2+ pages) detailing your entire academic and professional history. Common in Europe, Asia, and for academic/research positions.

For this guide, we'll use "CV" to refer to both, as the principles apply to both formats.

Part 1: Writing Your CV/Resume

Contact Information

Include at the top:

• Full name (larger font)
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn URL
• City and country (full address not necessary)
• Portfolio/website (if relevant)

Professional Summary (Optional but Recommended)

A 2-4 line statement at the top of your CV that summarizes your experience, skills, and career goals. Tailor it to each job application.

Example: "Results-driven Marketing Manager with 7+ years of experience in B2B SaaS. Proven track record of increasing lead generation by 200% and reducing CAC by 40%. Expert in content marketing, SEO, and marketing automation."

Work Experience

List in reverse chronological order (most recent first). For each position include:

• Job title
• Company name and location
• Dates (Month Year - Month Year)
• 3-5 bullet points describing achievements

Writing Achievement Bullets

Use the CAR method:

• Challenge: What problem did you face?
• Action: What did you do?
• Result: What was the outcome? (Include numbers!)

Example: "Redesigned email marketing campaigns (Challenge), implementing A/B testing and personalization (Action), resulting in 45% higher open rates and $200K additional revenue (Result)."

Education

Include:

• Degree and major
• University name
• Graduation year
• GPA (if above 3.5 and recent graduate)
• Relevant coursework or honors (optional)

Skills

Create two categories:

• Technical Skills: Software, tools, programming languages, certifications
• Soft Skills: Leadership, communication, problem-solving (with brief examples)

Additional Sections (Optional)

• Certifications
• Publications
• Speaking engagements
• Volunteer work
• Languages
• Awards and honors

Part 2: Writing Your Cover Letter

Cover Letter Structure

1. Header

Match your CV header (name, contact info). Add:

• Date
• Hiring manager's name and title
• Company name and address

2. Opening Paragraph

Hook the reader immediately:

• State the position you're applying for
• Mention how you found the job
• Include a compelling reason why you're interested
• Hint at your unique value

Example: "I'm writing to apply for the Senior Product Manager position at TechCorp. As someone who has followed TechCorp's innovative approach to AI-driven solutions for years, I was thrilled to see this opening. With 8 years of product management experience and a track record of launching products that generated $50M+ in revenue, I'm confident I can contribute to your team's continued success."

3. Body Paragraphs (1-2 paragraphs)

Connect your experience to the job requirements:

• Pick 2-3 key requirements from the job description
• Provide specific examples of how you meet each requirement
• Use numbers and concrete achievements
• Show enthusiasm for the company and role

4. Closing Paragraph

• Reiterate your interest
• Thank them for their consideration
• Include a call-to-action (request an interview)
• Mention you've attached your CV

5. Sign-Off

Use "Sincerely," or "Best regards," followed by your name.

Cover Letter Tips

• Keep it to one page (3-4 paragraphs)
• Customize for each application
• Don't just repeat your CV—add context and personality
• Address the hiring manager by name (research if needed)
• Proofread multiple times
• Match the tone to the company culture

Common Mistakes to Avoid

CV Mistakes

• Typos and grammatical errors
• Using "I" or "me" (use action verbs instead)
• Including irrelevant information
• Inconsistent formatting
• Lying or exaggerating
• Using generic descriptions
• Forgetting to update dates

Cover Letter Mistakes

• Generic "To Whom It May Concern"
• Focusing on what you want instead of what you offer
• Repeating your CV word-for-word
• Being too long or too short
• Negative language about previous employers
• Forgetting to customize for each job

Final Checklist

Before Submitting:

• ✓ Proofread 3+ times
• ✓ Have someone else review it
• ✓ Check ATS compatibility
• ✓ Customize for the specific job
• ✓ Save in the requested format
• ✓ Use a professional file name (FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf)
• ✓ Test that links work
• ✓ Ensure consistent formatting

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