Free CV and resume guides
Short, practical guides to every part of a job application: how to format your CV or resume, what to write in each section, how to put together a cover letter and how to write a personal statement. Each one is written in plain English and links to a free tool so you can use the advice straight away.
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CV and resume format
How the page should look, what goes where, and which version employers in your country expect.
- Resume format Chronological, functional or hybrid: which layout to use, with US and Canadian conventions.
- CV format The UK, European, African and Indian CV layout, section by section, with length and font advice.
- CV vs resume What each word means in different countries, and how to tell which one a job ad wants.
- Europass CV When the EU format helps, when it does not, and how to make a cleaner alternative.
Writing your CV
The parts recruiters read first: your summary and your skills.
- Resume summary examples Short profiles for different jobs and levels, with notes on what makes each one work.
- Skills for a resume Which skills to list, how to prove them and how to match the words in a job ad.
- ATS resume checker A free tool that shows how an applicant tracking system reads your CV file.
Cover letters
The letter that goes with your CV, from structure to the final read-through.
University and further study
Statements for course and scholarship applications.
A simple order to work in
- Check what the job ad asks for. A CV, a resume, a Europass CV or an application form? The CV vs resume guide explains the difference.
- Get the format right. Pick a clear layout and the right length for your country and level.
- Write the summary last. It is easier once your experience and skills are on the page, because the summary is a short version of them.
- Match the job ad. Use the same words the employer uses for the skills you really have. The free ATS checker shows what a screening system can read.
- Then write the cover letter. Pick two or three things from your CV that fit this job best and explain them in more detail.
How we write these guides
Every guide is written from scratch for CompleteCV. We describe common practice and say where it differs between countries. We do not invent statistics or quote surveys we cannot check. When a guide touches on employment law or visas, it is general information, not legal advice: the job ad, the employer or an official source always wins.
Found something out of date or unclear? Tell us and we will fix it.
Frequently asked questions
Are these guides free?
Yes. Every guide is free to read, and so is the CV builder they point to, including the PDF download. There is no watermark, and you just need a free account to download.
Which guide should I read first?
If you are starting from nothing, read the CV format guide (or the resume format guide if you are applying in the US or Canada), then write your summary and skills. Leave the cover letter until your CV is done: it is much easier to write once you know what your CV already says.
Do the guides follow UK or US conventions?
Both, and each guide says which. CV pages use British spelling and cover the UK, Europe, Africa and India. Resume pages use American spelling and cover the US and Canada. Where the advice differs by country, the guide says so.
How often are the guides updated?
Each guide shows the date it last changed meaningfully. We update them when hiring practice changes, not just to refresh the date.