resume templates for uk

UK Resume [Format, Tips & Templates for 2024]

Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and continental Europe, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a great place to find a job.

During your job search, though, you might struggle with your UK resume.

Whether you’re a UK native or a foreigner, you might be at a disadvantage when applying if you’re not familiar with its specific requirements.

How long should your resume be, for example, and should you include a picture?

Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

That’s why we’ve prepared the ultimate guide to writing a UK resume!

The topics we’ll break down for you include:

UK Resume Example

• What Makes UK Resumes Different from US and European Resumes
• How To Write Your Own UK Resume

Let’s dive in!

Here’s what this UK resume example does right:

• Reverse-chronological format. This format shows your most recent work experience first, and it’s the most popular resume format in the UK by far.
• Relevant contact details. The candidate lists the most critical contact details, including their first and last name, job title, email address, phone number, location, and links to their profiles on LinkedIn and GitHub, as well as to their personal website.
• Captivating resume summary. The resume summary in this resume example perfectly summarizes the candidate’s experience, essential skills, and top accomplishments.
• Quantifiable achievements. This candidate quantifies their achievements by using the Laszlo Bock formula (“Accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z”).
• Bullet points. The use of bullet points instead of paragraphs makes the resume appear more organized and easier to read.
• Additional sections. Certificates, language proficiency, and interests all show greater depth to the candidate, which could make a difference if they’re competing against someone with similar professional background and skills. 

Free UK Resume Templates

Making your resume from scratch can be a hassle.

You need to tweak the margins, keep the fonts uniform, carefully align every element you add, and make sure it never spills over to page two.

So why not make your life easier?

Write your UK resume in minutes by using one of Novoresume’s tried-and-tested resume templates , free of charge. Each of our templates is created in collaboration with hiring managers to match industry standards and help you land a job.

UK Resume Specifics

You might think the UK resume is very similar to its US equivalent , and you’d be correct. But there are a few differences that might hinder your job search if you don’t take them into account.

Before you start preparing your UK resume, here’s one thing we need to clear up from the get-go:

A resume and a CV are the same in the UK.

In fact, most of the world uses the terms “ CV ” and “resume” interchangeably, including New Zealand and Australia . In the USA and Canada, however, a CV and a resume are two different things , with a CV being preferred for academic or research-oriented positions.

UK vs US Resume

There are a few key differences between resumes on the two sides of the Atlantic.

While the rule of thumb for resumes in North America is to be no longer than one page , the length of a UK resume is ideally around one and a half to two pages. But for recent graduates and less experienced candidates one to one and a half pages is more than okay.

Another important difference between US and UK resumes is the language used. When applying to universities or companies in the UK, be sure to use British English grammar and terminology .

For example, if you worked as an attorney in the US, in the UK you might be called a barrister or solicitor, depending on your area of expertise.

In terms of spelling, many words in British English contain a “u” where American English has dropped it, such as “colour” and “favourite”. Other things to watch out for are the use of “s” instead of “z” in words like specialise and industrialise, and the spelling of theater and center as theatre and centre, respectively. 

Consider using a grammar checker like Grammarly or QuillBot before submitting your resume, just to make sure everything is spotless.

UK vs European Resume

Like people in the UK, continental Europeans use the terms “CV” and “resume” are synonyms in continental Europe.

The Europass CV is fairly popular in Europe, but not mandatory. Europeans can use as many creative resume templates as UK candidates can.

The main difference between UK and other European resumes is the amount of personal information a candidate is encouraged to share.

You shouldn’t reveal your age, gender, marital status, or other information that may be used to discriminate against you in a UK resume. This also goes for including a photo on your resume - unless specifically requested, don’t add one.

By contrast, recruiters in countries like Germany and Switzerland may expect pictures of the candidate and other personal information, such as their date of birth.

9 Steps to Writing a UK Resume

Now that you know about all the specifics of UK resumes, it’s time to start working on yours.

Just follow along with the steps we’ve outlined and use Novoresume’s builder for convenience and tips as you fill in your chosen template.

Here are the steps to a perfect UK resume:

#1. Choose the Right Format

Before you jump into filling in the contents of your resume, let’s address how to format your UK resume the right way.

Essentially, there are three resume formats you can choose from:

• Functional resume format
• Reverse-chronological resume format
• Combination resume format

Your best option, however, is to pick the reverse-chronological format for your UK resume.

Generally speaking, the reverse-chronological format is the safest choice. It effectively highlights your work experience by listing your most recent jobs first, and it is recruiters’ favorite format.

Here’s what it looks like:

Only if you’re a recent graduate with zero work experience or you’re looking to do a big career change, you might consider trying the functional resume format instead.

#2. Take Care of the Layout

You only get to make a first impression once, and the same goes for your resume. If your resume looks cluttered and unorganized, the hiring manager will be less likely to want to dive into its contents. 

Stick to these tips to make your UK resume layout pop:

• Use separate resume sections for all the information you want to add. Use 14-16 point font size for section headings and 11-12 points for the copy. 
• Choose a resume font that’s professional but easy to read, such as Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Roboto.
• The font size should ideally be 10 to 12 points and the recommended color is black.
• Opt for using describing your achievements and responsibilities in bullet points instead of in blocks of text.
• Make sure your resume is saved for an A4 document size. With the Novoresume editor, you can easily change this using the “Layout” option in the top menu.)
• Export your resume as a PDF unless the employer specifically requests a different format. 

#3. Contact Information

Somewhere at the top of your resume, the recruiter should be able to see your name and contact information .

Here’s what this section should contain:

• Name and surname. There’s no need to list any middle names or more than one last name.
• Phone number. If possible, add a UK phone number. Note that the UK dialing code is +44, so if you provide a non-UK phone number, the employer might not be able to call you. When listing your number, add the dialing code, whether it’s a UK number or any of the other variants across the world.
• Address. If you’re a UK resident, you should write your full address, including the postal code.
• Email address. Make sure you provide a professional email address.

If applicable, you can add links to your LinkedIn, Github, online portfolio, or personal website. Provide social media only if requested by the employer.

Whether you’re looking for a remote position at a UK-based company or are looking to relocate for the job, make sure to mention this in your resume profile so recruiters will know from the start.

#4. Add a Resume Summary or Objective

Hiring managers only have seconds to spare on each resume. This means you need to catch their attention from the get-go. 

Adding a resume summary or objective at the top of your resume is the way to do that.

These are two-three sentence paragraphs that are supposed to sum up your career or highlight your professional goals.

A resume summary gives the hiring manager a brief recap of your years of experience, one or two of your top skills, and a couple of your most impressive achievements.

If you lack experience in the field you’re applying for, you can include a resume objective instead. That way you can showcase your skills and career goals, as well as your motivation to get that particular job. 

Here’s how you can write a great resume summary, visualized:

#5. Focus on Your Work Experience

The most important section of your resume is your work experience .

This section lets you expand on your past achievements and responsibilities and shows the recruiter that you have what it takes for the job.

Here’s how you should structure your work experience section:

• Start from your most recent job and move backward in time. Don’t include jobs from ten years back and jobs that are not relevant to the job you’re applying for, unless they’re you’re only experiences. 
• Add your job title. The hiring manager will know if you have the necessary experience for the job by reading your job title.
• List the company name and location. You can optionally include a brief description of your previous employer if they aren’t a household name.
• Include your period of employment. Stick to the mm/yyyy format, as there is no need to specify concrete dates.
• Opt for accomplishments over responsibilities. Use 4-6 bullets to describe your most recent work experience and 2-3 bullets for older jobs.

To make your work experience really stand out, quantify your achievements whenever possible. Numbers and data always do a better job of painting an impressive picture of you as a candidate.

Check out the following two examples:

Social Media Marketing Manager

02/2021 - Present

Achievements/Tasks

• Prepared marketing campaigns
• Managed a team of five employees

XY Company, Glasgow

06/2021 - Present

Achievements

• Conceptualized and launched promotional social media campaigns that increased sales revenue by 15%
• Trained and managed over 15 marketing and sales specialists, making sure their targets were always met

Which candidate would you pick as a hiring manager? That’s what we thought! 

Just getting started in your chosen field? Learn how to write an internship resume here. 

#6. Keep the Education Section Short

Unless you have very little work experience, keep your education short and to the point. Hiring managers care much more about your professional achievements and skills than about your degree. 

So, only mention the most important information in your education section. Start with your latest degree and list the details as such:

This section should clearly list the following information, in this order:

• Degree title. Start with the degree level (e.g.: Bachelor’s, Master’s, etc.) and then the program name.
• University name. We recommend adding the country the university is located in, especially if it’s from outside the UK.
• Years attended. There’s no need to specify months or exact dates.
• Notable achievements and courses. This part is optional and should be tailored to the position you’re applying for. (e.g.: If you’re applying for a job as a graphic designer , you can add your course on Typography and Page Layout or Graphic Web Design). If you have professional Graphic Design experience, though, there’s no reason to mention a class you took years ago at all. 

Here’s an example showing how your education section should look:

#7. Skills & Qualifications

The skill section of your UK resume tells recruiters what you can bring to the company.

This makes the skills section one of the most important UK resume sections . 

Ideally, you should list your most important skills somewhere at the beginning of your resume, close to your work experience.

Now, to make this section pop, you don’t need to mention every skill you’ve ever learned. The trick here is to list skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Here are a few tips for listing skills on your UK resume:

• Include skills the company is looking for. Carefully read the description of the job advertisement and write down the required skills. Out of those, add the skills you possess to your UK resume to prove you’re a perfect fit for the position.
• Research in-demand industry skills. If you can’t decide what skills to include on your UK resume, do some research. Learn what skills are currently valued the most in the industry you’re applying for, and highlight the ones you have on your resume. 
• List hard skills and soft skills separately. By splitting your skills by category, your resume will look more organized and allow the hiring manager to navigate it easier.

#8. Take Advantage of Optional Sections

If you have some space left to fill up, you can take advantage of optional sections.

While they are not as important as your work experience and skills, these sections can give you an advantage if you’re competing with a candidate with a similar background as yours. 

• Languages . This section shows you’re capable of communicating in more than one language, and can be a potential asset for international roles or projects.
• Internships. Adding any relevant internships to your UK resume shows you have some know-how and hands-on experience in the field.
• Volunteering . Any volunteer experience tells the hiring manager that you’re a person who gives back to the community and that you have a strong work ethic.
• Hobbies and interests . What you do in your free time reveals more about you as a person, and demonstrates qualities like teamwork or creativity.
• Certifications. Any extra qualifications show your commitment to continuous learning and professional development, as well as specialized skills you may have.
• Publications. This section demonstrates your expertise and in-depth knowledge of the field, as well as your dedication to research and industry advancement. 
• Awards. Adding awards to your resume lets potential employers know that you’re a high-achiever and helps you stand out from other candidates.

#9. Cover Letter

You’re now one step away from landing that coveted job interview. All you need to do is write a compelling cover letter to go with your resume.

Knowing how to write a cover letter shows off your communication skills and dedication to the job, which can increase the odds of you getting an interview.

Make sure your cover letter includes:

• Header. Include your contact information and proofread this section twice to make sure it matches what you’ve added to your resume. Make sure you add the employer’s contact information here, too.
• Greeting line. Knowing how to address the hiring manager shows professionalism.
• A strong start. Your introductory paragraph should be a brief summary of why you’re writing the letter and mention your interest in the company’s vacant position. Describe a couple of your biggest accomplishments to catch the hiring manager’s attention.
• A compelling body. The breadth of your cover letter should emphasize your work experience, education, skills, qualifications, and motivation. Explain what makes you the right candidate for the job and how you’re the right fit for the company.
• A concise finale. Finish your cover letter with a call to action in the closing statement and an appropriate signature line.

FAQs About UK Resumes

If you need any more information, look through the answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about UK resumes.

1. How do I create a UK resume as a student?

When creating a resume to impress UK employers or universities , focus on your strengths instead of your lack of work experience.

For example, if you’re a recent graduate with no work experience , focus on your academic achievements and any projects or courses that are relevant to the field you’re applying to.

Don’t go into details about how you don’t have relevant experience. Fill up the space on your resume with volunteer work, personal projects, and any internships you may have completed .

2. Is a CV or a resume used in the UK?

In the UK, “CV” and “resume” are two terms that refer to the same document.

You’re likelier to hear “CV” more often than “resume” but rest assured they’re used interchangeably in the UK. So if you know how to write a CV , writing a UK resume won’t be any different.

However, in countries such as the US and Canada , there is a difference between resumes and CVs . The CV (short for the Latin “Curriculum Vitae”) is a much longer and more detailed document that’s used for academic purposes and senior-level positions.

3. Should a UK resume include a photo?

We advise that you do not add a photo to your UK resume. The UK has anti-discrimination laws which protect candidates from unfair hiring decisions based on any features that can be recognized in a photograph, including age, race, or gender.

As such, photos are generally not included on UK resumes and employers don’t expect them from candidates. However, it’s okay to add a picture when applying to acting and modeling positions.

4. How do I create a UK resume as a healthcare assistant?

To create a strong medical assistant resume , pick a professional resume template and use the reverse-chronological format. Include your name, location, and professional email address in the contact information section, followed by a captivating resume summary.

When listing your work experience, education, and skills, make sure to mention your proficiency with Electronic Health Record (EHR) software and certifications like First Aid or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Emphasize your accomplishments in healthcare and any related qualifications, like volunteer work, patient care, and time management skills.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap! By now, you should be ready to build a solid UK resume.

Before you go, here are the main points we covered in this article:

• The standard UK resume length for a seasoned professional is around two pages.
• Don’t add a picture to your UK resume. Employers don’t expect photographs of candidates and it may seem unprofessional as it breaks UK resume conventions.
• Separate your resume’s information into clear sections for contact information, work experience, education, skills, and other optional sections you might want to add.
• The biggest difference between UK resumes and their US equivalent is the terminology and grammar. Make sure your resume is written in British English before you submit it.

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United Kingdom CV Tips & Format Requirements

Applying for a job in the United Kingdom? This guide has the tips, examples, & format requirements needed to write the perfect UK CV. Create your VisualCV today!

UK CV Requirements

Applying for a position in the United Kingdom requires a specific CV format. When you are looking for work in the UK, make sure that your CV is suitable for a UK audience and will meet the expectation of recruiters.

Browse our gallery of resume examples here.

How to Format a UK CV?

To best format the CV, you need to select the best layout based on your relevant past experience and the type of role you are applying for.

There are three general CV layouts in UK that are popular:

• Reverse chronological CV format
• Combination CV format
• Functional CV format

Reverse Chronological CV Format for UK

Functional CV Format for UK

Combination CV Format for UK

A combination CV format is helpful if you are applying for a job in the UK where you wish to display with clarity how your past skills and experience are transferable to the job you are applying for.

UK CV Examples

Administration uk cv example.

Retail UK CV Example

Professional British CV Example

Engineer UK CV Example

Marketing UK CV Example

Management UK CV Example

Accounting UK CV Example

UK CV Tips and rules:

CV, not Resume: The term ‘CV’ is most common in the United Kingdom. The terms ‘resume’ and ‘curriculum vitae’ are rarely used.

Language: Be sure to write your CV in proper British English - for example, write ‘labour’ rather than ‘labor’ and ‘optimise’ rather than ‘optimize’.

Length: Your UK CV should not exceed two pages - “no longer than two sides of A4”, according to Rachel Swain at Prospects.ac.uk.

Resume template: Browse through our gallery of UK resume templates .

UK CV Format, Order and Layout:

Photo: A photo is not expected on your UK CV. While common in the rest of Europe, it is rare to see a picture on a CV in the United Kingdom. In certain roles, such as some sales positions or a creative job where visual presentation is key, a picture may be acceptable, but be sure to research the company first.

Personal Information: The only personal information required for a UK CV is your contact information - your name, home address, mobile phone number and email address (which should be some variation of your name: [email protected] or something similar). No other personal information should be included.

Personal Statement: Your CV should begin with a brief description, no more than five lines of text, that describes who you are, what you can do, and what you bring to the position you are applying to. Your personal statement should be tailored to the job description - focus on the skills and experience that make you suited for this particular job. Personal statements are not mandatory, but they are a great way to grab an employer’s attention. According to Michael Cheary at reed.co.uk , “a well written personal statement can mean the difference between standing out from the crowd and your application being rejected.”

Work experience: Display your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent. Use this space to showcase your achievements in each position - important milestones and quantifiable data are more impressive than daily duties. Use proactive action words to make your experience sound interesting and dynamic.

Education: Education should also be listed from most recent to least recent. Include all relevant certifications, including institution names and dates. Your education section should come after your work experience, unless you graduated very recently.

Other sections for your UK CV:

Skills: It is common to include a simple list of skills kept separate from your work history. This provides a quick, at-a-glance look at what you excel at, without delving into your experience too much.

Volunteer experience: Volunteering experience should be noted on your CV. If you prefer, you can include volunteer experience in your Work History section, but remember to specify when a role is a volunteer position.

Languages: Feel free to note any languages you are fluent in. This is particularly important when the job calls for multiple languages.

References: It is not necessary to include references in your CV. Instead, follow up with references to an employer separately when asked.

How do I Write a UK CV in 2024?

To write a UK CV in 2024 follow these steps:

• First, select the right UK CV format based on your experience level. A reverse chronological CV format is good for experienced professionals, and a functional UK CV format is perfect for most entry level professionals.
• Second, right the perfect CV header.
• Third, write your UK CV summary or objective.
• Fourth, describe your work experience on your CV.
• Lastly, list any skills or achievements you’ve in a CV skills or an accomplishments section.

What is a UK CV Format?

The UK CV format requires your CV to be:

• A maximum of two pages long.
• In an A4 format.
• Either be a reverse chronological or a functional CV.

How do I Write a Good UK CV?

To write a good UK CV ensure that you start with the right CV format and then customize the CV based on the job you are applying for. Pick up keywords and skills that are mentioned in the job description and modify your UK CV to show relevant skills and experience.

What Font Should a CV be in the UK?

The following fonts are preferred for a UK CV - Roboto, Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman. To give your UK CV a modern look you can select a Sans serif font e.g. Roboto, and for traditional looking CVs you can go for a Serif type font e.g. Times New Roman.

2024 UK CV Trends

In 2024, UK CV trends emphasize adaptability and precision to align with job market demands.

• Functional CVs are increasingly popular, particularly for showcasing skills over employment history, which is ideal for career changers or those with gaps in their work history​.
• Combination CVs blend skills and experience, favored for their ability to highlight how past roles prepare candidates for future positions​.
• Brevity and Structure: A two-page limit ensures CVs are concise and scannable, making key qualifications quickly visible to recruiters​​.
• Personal Profiles: Strong introductory statements or profiles are crucial, offering a tailored summary of skills and experiences relevant to the job.
• Simple Design: Clear, well-organized CV layouts help ensure information is easy to read and professionally presented.

How Many Pages a UK CV Should Be?

Your CV should be one page if you are either an entry-level or a mid-career professional with less than 15 years of experience. For those who have more than 15 years of experience, a CV can be more than one page.

What Font Size Should my CV be in the UK?

A font size between 10 to 12 is considered easy to read. So make sure that your UK CV’s font size isn’t less than 10, but not greater than 12 either.

Conclusion:

Though CVs in English-speaking countries are very similar, each country has its own nuances that must be observed for best results. When writing a UK CV, pay attention to the specific requirements of each employer and if possible, have someone you trust read over your CV before submitting your application.

Copyright © 2024 Workstory Inc.

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Looking for inspiration?

Are you looking to update your CV, or perhaps you are a recent graduate looking for what is the best CV template on the UK job market? Either way, we have created CV examples for you to find additional inspiration on what makes a good CV and which CV template to use.

Find inspiration from our CV examples.

Refer to our career blog that experts have written.

Use our CV Builder to create a CV and easily customise the layout or template.

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How to choose the best CV template?

In today’s competitive job market, standing out among hundreds of other candidates is crucial. That's why we've crafted a variety of professional CV templates tailored to different levels of work experience. Our intuitive builder allows you to pick a template that best reflects your personality and expertise, with flexibility for customisation.

All you have to do is select your ideal CV template and fill in your details effortlessly!

Transform your job application with the best CV template

If you are unsure what to include in your CV or which format to adopt, explore 150+ CV examples for valuable industry-specific insights and inspiration. Discover the latest trends and expert tips and tips tailored to various job roles.

Why choose our CV templates? Features and Benefits

When deciding on which one to use, it's essential to align it with your level of experience or industry. We have four main types of CV templates: modern , professional , creative , and simple (basic) .

27 language options to choose from

3 ways to create your CV: from scratch, from a CV example, or import your CV.

Save time with easy customisation functionalities: diverse font selection, plenty of colours, custom sections

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For additional guidance and examples, visit our career blog or cornerstone article on how to write a good CV .

Professional CV templates with fully adjustable layout

While countless CV templates are available on the web, how many are reviewed by experts? At CVMaker , each template undergoes careful examination to ensure it meets industry standards. Using our tool, you can find a perfect template for any scenario, ensuring your CV stands out and bringing you one step closer to landing that first interview!

Additional tips on how to choose a CV template:

Align your template with your career goals and relevant experience.

Assess the organisation's culture and ways of working.

Ensure it is readable and easy to follow.

Check out our simple CV example guide for more valuable career advice and formatting tips.

What is the best CV template for no work experience?

Even with little to no experience, you can make your CV unique, setting yourself apart from other candidates. We have strategically designed our CV templates to highlight your transferrable skills and achivements, suited for any level of experience. Easily customisable and user-friendly, these templates alleviate any concerns you may have. With over 20 options available, tailored to various styles and industries, you're guaranteed to find one that suits your needs.

For more industry-specific advice and tips, check out our related blog article on how to write a CV with no experience .

What is the best template for a CV?

We offer a range of CV templates that fit different levels of work experience. Whether you're looking for a professional, simple, modern, or basic CV template, we have everything you need. Our templates are easy to use and provide support in 27+ languages based on your location and level of experience. Simply choose the best CV template aligning with your career goals and fill in your details effortlessly!

For more examples and tips, refer to our modern CV example guide for the UK market.

What is the best CV template for students?

We help students with easy-to-read chronological CV templates that effectively showcase skills and experiences. Whether you're looking for a modern, professional, or simple design, our templates are fully adjustable to suit your needs. With our user-friendly CV Builder , creating a professional CV has never been easier. Simply choose the best template for your career goals and fill in your details effortlessly!

For more information on entry-level roles, check out our student CV and graduate CV examples.

How many CV templates does CVMaker have?

We offer over 20 professional CV templates designed by experts. We have carefully reviewed with our experts to ensure they meet the latest industry standards, suitable for any career! Whether you need a creative, modern, professional, or simple design, we've got you covered. Our templates are easy to customise, allowing you to tailor them to various industries and jobs. Choose one that best aligns with your career goals and fill in your details within a few minutes!

Additionally, explore our diverse cover letter templates where you can select a matching CV and streamline your application!

Should I download my CV in PDF or Word format?

This choice depends on your personal preference and the specific requirements of the job you're applying for. Both formats are usually acceptable, and the most crucial part is ensuring the layout is correct and the content is relevant. With our CV Builder and Cover Letter Builder , you can create a professional CV in minutes and easily download it in PDF format, saving you time and hassle in the job application process.

For more specific tips and examples, check out our related blog article on the best font and the best colour for your CV.

Can I use AI to create a CV template?

Whilst you can use AI to help start the CV writing process, it is unable to create CV templates and tends to rely on generic content. While you might hope recruiters won’t notice, presenting your strengths in a clear and engaging way still requires a personal touch. Learn more about AI CV writing .

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CV UK format examples

If you’re searching for a job in the UK, it’s important that you write your CV in UK format.

Although CVs are largely the same across the globe, every region has style preferences that you need to adapt to if you want to get shortlisted for jobs.

This guide, along with  6  example CVs will show you the preferred CV format for the UK and provide you with some helpful notes on how to write your own interview-winning CV for the UK job market.

CV templates 

UK format Admin CV

Tips on creating a strong admin/office CV …

Head with an eye-catching CV profile

Ensure that UK recruiters and hiring managers are instantly impressed, by heading your CV with an introductory profile which summarises your skills and experience, like the sample CV above.

For best results, tailor this short paragraph to include key words from the job adverts you are applying for – this will make an instant first impression and encourage people to continue reading your CV.

Add a well-tailored core skills section

If you really want to ensure that busy recruiters and managers can quickly see your suitability, add a bullet pointed core skills section which reflects your most valuable skills and knowledge. This will create a snapshot that can be quickly seen from even a brief glance at the CV – ensuring the points aren’t missed.

Write powerful role descriptions

So that readers can understand your previous jobs and the value you added, make sure the roles are well structured and written.

Start with an outline sentence to give an overview of the job and the business of the employer.

List your office/admin responsibilities, being sure to detail who you interact with in the office, the skills you use, and how your work feeds into the business.

Finish each role with some quantified key achievements , to give employers an exact impression of how you have impacted the business positively.

Build your CV now 

UK customer service CV

Tips on creating a strong customer service CV …

Ensure your customer service CV catches the attention of UK recruiters and hiring managers by writing an introductory paragraph which explains why you are suitable for the roles you are applying for.

Tailor it to match the candidate requirements of the job you are applying to – and keep it brief as recruiters see hundreds of CVs every day and don’t want to spend too much time on each one.

To ensure that your most in-demand skills are not missed – add a bullet pointed core skills section. The points will jump off the page and ensure that they are seen as soon as the CV is opened.

Pack this section full of essential customer service skills and qualifications.

Quick tip:  If you worry that your spelling and grammar might not be correct, try using our quick-and-easy CV Builder  to eliminate the risk of making mistakes.

Head each role with an introduction to build some quick context for readers, outlining the role and who you work/worked for.

Bullet point your responsibilities to detail your interactions with customer and duties you perform within each job.

Add some achievements to give examples of impressive results you’ve achieved in sales or service. Add numbers to give them scale if you can.

CV UK format – Teaching roles

Tips on creating a strong teaching CV …

To catch the attention of recruiters and head-teachers, add a punchy profile to the top of your CV, which summarises your teaching skills and experience. It should be heavily tailored towards your target jobs so that recruiters can quickly see you are a suitable candidate.

Make your most valuable skills stand out from the page by adding them to bullet pointed core skills section underneath your profile. This will help more UK recruiters stick to your CV as they browse through the hundreds of applications in their inbox.

Your role descriptions give you a great chance to prove the impact you make in the workplace.

Start each role with an intro that describes the institution you work for and overview of what/who you teach there.

Bullet point your responsibilities to show the skills you use and how you provide education over the long-term

Add achievements to prove impact such as improved standards or impressive exam results.

UK Finance CV

Tips on creating a strong finance CV…

Hold the attention of recruiters and hiring managers by adding a powerful profile to the top of your CV. This is a short paragraph which summarises your skill set and quickly shows readers a high level overview of your suitability for the jobs you are applying to.

Find out what the most important candidate requirements are for your target jobs, and add your matching skills and knowledge to a bullet pointed core skills section. This will highlight your most valuable skills to UK recruiters and help you get noticed as soon as the CV is opened.

Start your roles with an intro to show readers who you work/worked for, and what the overall goal of each role is.

List your responsibilities in easy-to-read bullet points, so they can be easily skim-read by recruiters and hiring managers.

Round off each role with some impressive achievements that have had an impact on your employers or clients. Add figures to them if you really want to prove how valuable you are as an employee.

UK Graduate CV

Tips on creating a strong graduate CV …

To create an impact whenever your CV is opened, write an elevator-pitch style opening profile, or personal statement . This is the place to make a big first impression by explaining why you are a suitable candidate for the roles you are applying for by giving a summary of your studies, skills and even experience if you have any.

Ensure that your most important skills and knowledge aren’t missed by adding a core skills section under your profile. Research your target jobs thoroughly, and add as many of the most frequently appearing candidate requirements as you can.

If you have any work experience then add it into your career summary – if not, you can also add voluntary work or school/university work placements .

Provide an intro outline for every role to show who you worked for and what the overall function of the job was.

Bullet point your responsibilities to showcase the skills you applied, and how they affected your employer.

If you made any impressive achievements in those jobs, add them to the bottom of your CV to show how you made a positive impact in the role.

UK format IT CV

Tips on creating a strong IT CV…

Lead with a punchy paragraph at the top of your CV which summarises all of your tech and non-tech skills to create a solid first impression.

Be sure to tailor this profile to the jobs you are applying for so that recruiters can instantly see how suitable you are.

Adding a bullet pointed list of core skills near the top the CV, ensure that recruiters can’t miss your most valuable skills.

Head every role with an intro line to build context for readers, by outlining the company and role function.

List role responsibilities in concise bullet points to show how your technical skills are used to solve business problems.

Finish each role by listing some achievements that have had a positive effect on your employer

Writing a CV in UK format

The above examples should give you a good steer on how to create your own CV in UK format .

Here are a few final tips to help…

Think before including a photo of yourself – UK employers don’t need them to make hiring decisions, but they can add some personality to the document – especially if you work in a creative industry.

Keep it simple – UK recruiters tend to be very busy, so make your CV easy to read by keeping the font and layout simple. And keep the CV to around 2 pages in length , unlike an American-style resume which is often only one page long.

Do your research – Find out what skills and experience UK recruiters are looking for, so you can tailor your CV accordingly.

Good luck with your job search!

Resume templates

Put your best qualities on display with professional, customizable resume and cv templates. no matter your line of work or length of professional history, you'll find resume and cv templates that'll help you get the gig..

Download free resume templates

Land your dream job with free, customizable resume templates. Showcase your potential to recruiters and stand out from other candidates with a professional template. Whether you're applying to corporate positions or creative roles, go with a sleek design or show your creativity with bold colors .

Resumes don't need to look boring—add flair to your professional experience with a creative resume template. There are plenty of resume designs to choose from, like simple resume templates and modern resume templates. Each resume template is fully customizable in Microsoft Word , so you can personalize each design element and add your own text. Using a template also makes it easier to customize your resume for each position you apply to.

Print out as many copies as you'd like or download the template for free to share digitally when applying online. These professional resume templates are perfect for any stage of life or career. Whether you're a high school student, actor, or seeking a career in nursing, you can find any format for any job type.

There are also a variety of free CV (Curriculum Vitae) templates to choose from. A CV is often longer than a resume and contains an in-depth look at your education and professional accomplishments. Like our resume templates, these CV templates are also customizable in Word.

Remember, your next job is only a template away! Once you've customized your resume, explore free cover letter templates to help you land the job.

CV Templates

/ 5+ years of experience

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Pick one of our CV templates, each meticulously designed with help from leading HRs from around the world. All our templates are professional, ATS-friendly, stylish, and easy to read, so you can create the perfect CV in minutes. Get started and take the first step towards your dream job today!

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Why Novorésumé?

Free AND Premium

All the CV templates on this page are free to start with. If you want to take advantage of some of our premium CV builder features, you can also upgrade to Novorésumé Premium.

Creative & Professional CV Templates

Whatever type of job you’re applying for, we have a template for you. Student applying for your first job? Use our college CV template. Advertiser looking for something more imaginative? Pick our creative CV template.

NO Hidden Fees

Tried any of the other CV builders? You probably spent an hour or ten trying to make that perfect CV, and the moment you’re ready to hit “Download,” you get a notification: “Upgrade now to download your resume!”

At Novorésumé, we don’t do that . We have NO hidden fees - upgrade to Premium if you LOVE our CVs!

ATS Friendly

We offer both free and premium CV templates, so whatever your budget might be, you can still take advantage of our CV builder.

Free CV Template to Copy and Use

CONTACT INFORMATION

Name: [Your Full Name]

Job Title: [Your Current Job Title or Professional Designation]

Email Address: [Your Professional Email Address]

Phone Number: [Your Contact Number]

LinkedIn: [LinkedIn Profile URL]

Optional: [Personal Website], [Twitter Handle], [Other Relevant Links]

RESUME SUMMARY

Results-driven and [Choose one: dependable/detail-oriented/creative] [Your Job Title] with over [X] years of extensive experience in the [Your Industry/Niche]. Proven track record of [choose one: increasing revenue/cutting costs/training employees/other significant achievements], improving operational efficiency by [X]% within [Your Previous Company]. Eager to bring expertise in [specific skills or areas] to [Company Name], aiming to [choose one: enhance customer satisfaction/drive ROI/ensure timely project delivery], and contribute to the company's success.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

[Most Recent Job Title]

[Company Name]

[Employment Dates: Month/Year – Month/Year]

Briefly describe your primary responsibilities, emphasizing your role and contributions.

Achieved [specific result], resulting in [quantifiable outcome or improvement] by [specific actions you took].

Spearheaded [project or initiative], enhancing [specific area] by [quantifiable outcome].

Collaborated with [teams/departments], leading to [positive outcome].

[Previous Job Title]

[Previous Company Name]

[Employment Dates: Month, Year – Month, Year]

Summarize key responsibilities and achievements.

Implemented [strategy or process], which [resulted in/led to] [quantifiable outcome].

Recognized for [achievement or contribution], contributing to [company goal or milestone].

[Degree Type, e.g., BA/MA in Your Major]

[University Name], [Graduation Year]

[If applicable] GPA: [Your GPA] (Only include if 3.5 or above)

[Relevant coursework, academic achievements, or extracurricular activities]

[List all relevant skills for the position you are applying for.]

[If more than 5 of Hard and Soft skills, consider creating a different sections.]

[Hard Skill #1]: [Level – 1 to 5 - Beginner to Expert]

[Hard Skill #2]: [Level – 1 to 5 - Beginner to Expert]

[Hard Skill #3]: [Level – 1 to 5 - Beginner to Expert]

[Soft Skill #1]

[Soft Skill #2]

[Soft Skill #3]

ADITIONAL SECTIONS:

CERTIFICATIONS:

[Certification Name], [Issuing Organization], [Year]

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:

[Role], [Organization], [Year(s)]

CONFERENCES:

[Conference Name], [Role/Topic], [Year]

HOBBIES & INTERESTS:

[Brief description of hobbies or interests]

Expert Reviews

Biron Clark

Former Executive Recruiter

Novorésumé's CV templates are modern, eye-catching, and professional-looking. As a former Recruiter, I would be impressed if a job seeker sent their CV using one of these formats.

The layouts are interesting and will grab an employer's attention, without ever being too distracting. This is something that a lot of CV templates struggle to get right - they're either too simple and plain, or too colorful and distracting, which can end up costing you jobs. Novorésumé did a great job of finding a balance with their CV templates, which I believe will help you get more interviews.

Gabriela Tardea

Career Strategist, Coach & Trainer

Even for professionals, with 5+ years of experience, Novorésumé has a variety of templates with different options for layouts. What I love about this section is that the end result is nevertheless professionally crafted, easy to read and eye-catching.

The common challenge I encounter in my work with ambitious professionals is the struggle to comprise many years of work experience in max. 2-3 pages. Not only the design alone but the content and the structure of such templates on Novorésumé's website makes a CV writing a constructive and fun experience.

Oana Vintila

Career Counselor

Novorésumé's CV template bring some order into your professional history and moreover helps the recruiter help you.

CV Resources

What is a cv (curriculum vitae).

CV (short for Curriculum Vitae) is the Latin word for “course of life.”

In a nutshell, a CV is a summary of who you are as a professional, including your work history, education, and skills. Done right, a CV is supposed to “sell you” to potential employers and land you a job.

#2. What’s the Difference Between a CV and a Resume?

Technically speaking, a CV and a resume are the same exact document, the only difference being that Americans call it a “resume,” whereas Europeans (and most other countries) call it a CV.

Here’s the catch, though.

A European CV can be between one and three pages long, depending on your career level and work experience.

A US resume, on the other hand, should (optimally) not be longer than one page (or two pages maximum, if you’re a seasoned professional with a lot of work experience to show for it).

For more on the CV vs Resume topic, check out our article.

How to Write a CV?

There’s a lot that goes into writing an attention-grabbing CV , so you’re better off reading our comprehensive guide to improve your chances of getting hired.

That said, here are some effective tips to get you started:

Pick a CV template that works for you and suits your industry.

Get the CV layout right by keeping your section headings consistent, leaving enough white space around the margins, and using a professional font.

Add all the must-have contact details (e.g. name, job title, phone number, and email), as well as other relevant contact details, such as your LinkedIn profile.

Include a concise CV summary that highlights your top achievements to grab the hiring manager’s attention from the get-go.

Show off your work experience by including as many quantifiable achievements as possible.

Keep your education section short and to the point by only mentioning your highest degree.

List each and every soft and hard skill you have that is relevant to the job.

Include optional CV sections, such as certificates and awards, languages, personal projects, or hobbies and interests.

Follow the tips in our CV builder to help you polish your CV.

What to Include in a CV?

Some of the essential sections to include in your CV are:

Contact Information - This is where you include all your contact details, such as your phone number, email, name, title, and relevant social profiles (e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.).

Resume Summary (or Resume Objective ) - A three-four sentence summary of your experiences, key skills, and top achievements that is positioned at the top of your resume.

Work Experience - All your relevant job positions, starting from your current or most recent job and going backward in time from there. The work experience section is also where you list your achievements and/or responsibilities for each role.

Skills - A list of any hard and soft skills you possess that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Education - This section should mirror your education history. If you’re not a recent graduate with little-to-no work experience, you should keep it short by only including your highest and most recent degree.

Optional section - Anything else that may improve your chances of getting hired, such as your awards, certificates, personal projects, internships, foreign languages you speak, etc.

How to Make a CV With No Experience?

If you’re a recent college graduate applying for an entry-level position, you likely have little-to-no work experience to add to your CV - and that’s totally OK. The hiring manager won’t expect you to have much work experience anyway.

There are other things you can add to your CV to stand out from other applicants, such as:

Academic achievements

Completed internships

Volunteering experience

Personal projects

Hobbies and interests

How Long Should a CV Be?

For most jobs, a CV can be between one and three pages.

That said, we always recommend keeping your CV short and to the point (i.e. one page long). The more concise you make your CV, the more likely it is for the hiring manager to read it from start to finish.

If you’re based in the US, though, and you’re applying for a job or admission in academia, your CV can be as long as it needs to reflect your lengthy academic career (i.e. eight pages or more).

What’s the Best CV Template in 2024?

There’s no one-fits-all answer to this question. A better one to ask is: what’s the best CV template for you?

Here’s our take on this:

Applying to a company that values innovation and creativity? Pick a creative CV template.

Are you applying to a more conservative company, such as a bank or law firm? Pick a more traditional and professional CV template.

Does the company you’re applying for fall somewhere between the two types we mentioned? Then pick a modern or simple CV template.

Top Tips for Picking a CV Template

If you’re still having trouble picking the perfect CV template for you, check out some tips that can help you get it right:

Consider and understand your industry and its standards.

Take into account the culture at the company you’re applying for.

Think about the image you wish to project as a candidate.

Assess your chosen template in terms of presentability and reader-friendliness.

Think about which CV sections carry the most weight. Pick a template that puts extra emphasis on them.

Make sure to pick a CV template without graphics, symbols, or any other unnecessary visuals.

Make sure the template you choose has space for a photo (if you’re planning on including one, anyway).

Finally, choose a template that feels right for you and that you genuinely like!

Get Inspired with Our CV Examples

Cv templates faq, who created these cv samples.

All of our CV templates are created by our team of graphic designers and HR experts. We put a LOT of care into making sure that our CV samples are as good as they possibly can be.

When creating new CV templates, we always:

Interview recruiters and employers to learn what they look for in a good CV.

Analyze the world’s most popular applicant tracking systems (ATS) to ensure that they work with our CV templates.

Polish each CV example to be easy to read and follow.

We always go the extra mile to make sure that our CV templates have just the right contents to land you your dream job!

Are These CV Templates Free?

Yes, most of the CV templates and features are free. If you want your job application to truly stand out, though, you can also upgrade to benefit from our premium features, such as more personalization options, access to premium cover letter templates , and more.

Can I Make an Academic CV With These Templates?

Yes, you can definitely make an academic CV with our CV templates.

Novoresume CV templates are customizable, which means that you can add as many pages as you need to describe your academic career comprehensively.

Are These CV Templates ATS-Friendly?

Yes. All our CV templates work well with popular Applicant Tracking Systems.

But that’s just a part of the process. The best way to meet ATS requirements is to also learn how to tailor your CV content to each job. Check out our guide on creating an ATS-friendly resume for more help with this.

What Is the Best CV Format in 2024?

The two most popular CV formats in 2024 are the chronological and the functional formats .

In 95% of cases, though, we recommend that you go for the chronological resume format. It’s the most popular format among recruiters worldwide and it does a great job highlighting your most recent achievements and work experiences.

That said, if you really believe that your strongest point as a candidate is your set of skills, then you might want to try the functional resume format instead.

How is a US CV different from an EU CV?

In the United States, a CV is used solely for the purpose of applying to jobs or openings in academia. As such, it’s a much more comprehensive overview of your career that can take as many pages as needed (i.e. 8 pages or more).

In Europe, on the other hand, a CV is the equivalent of a resume. It is used to apply for jobs and is meant to provide a more “relevant” view of your work experience that meets the job's requirements. CVs are typically 1-2 pages long.

PDF CV Templates vs Word CV Templates

All our CV templates are in PDF format because it looks much better across all devices and is a lot more secure than Word.

Word CV templates were the standard a few years back because most Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) could not read PDFs.

This is not true for 2024, though, as PDF is currently the better and most widely preferred CV format for any job.

Do I Need to Submit a Cover Letter With My CV?

Yes , it’s always a good idea to submit a cover letter along with your CV.

Even if the job description doesn’t specifically ask for one or if the hiring manager never gets to read it, submitting a cover letter with your CV will show the hiring manager that you are a serious and professional candidate.

Struggling with your cover letter? Make sure to check out our guide on how to write an effective cover letter !

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• Office Administrator

Office Administrator CV Examples & UK Templates

Choosing the right CV format for an office administrator

Include your contact information, make use of a summary, outline your office administrator work experience: career journey to date, include the relevant key skills that make a great office administrator cv, detail your education & relevant administrative certifications, pick the right cv layout and design for an office administrator cv.

Proactive office administrators ensure everyone stays on track in the office. These talented multi-taskers wear many hats, from fielding calls and preparing professional documents to managing office supplies and organising filing systems. 

Employers are looking for office administrators who can apply their skills, experience, and high standards to ensure the office runs like a dream! So, how can you convince them that you’re the administrator they should hire?

To land this key position, you’ll need a well-written CV that shows off your proactive outlook, top-notch organisation skills, attention to detail, and team-focused approach. Get ready to launch a successful job search with our office administrator CV that demands attention!  

CV guide for an office administrator CV

Accelerate success with Resume.io. Our guides and CV examples cover over 150 professions, and our CV builder makes creating a compelling CV easier than ever.

This CV guide and corresponding office administrator CV example will cover the following:

How to write an office administrator CV

• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries
• Adding your administrative experience
• Listing education and relevant experience
• Picking the right CV design/layout

The first stage in crafting a top-tier office administrator CV is to be clear about the structure you will use. Your CV should include these key components:

• The CV header
• The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The CV skills section
• The education section

Office administrators often have a broad range of duties and responsibilities, which can be tricky to condense into a concise one or two-page document. In order to create an office administrator CV that will be successful, you’ll need to fully research the role and employer so that you can tailor your CV and highlight your most impressive administrative achievements.

What is your unique selling proposition? What makes you different from other job applicants? What value can you bring to the employer? The answer to these questions is what will set you apart in this competitive job market.

Try this formula to ensure you tick all the boxes on the hiring manager’s checklist:

• Quantify achievements rather than simply listing responsibilities in your work experience section . What have you achieved in past administrative roles? Perhaps you streamlined administrative processes or implemented new systems that boosted efficiency. If so, explain how you achieved this and any positive outcomes.
• Tweak your CV for each job opportunity. Use the job description as your guide and tailor your CV so that it fully meets the criteria of the advertised role.
• Ensure professional formatting and use bullet points to break up large sections of text so recruiters can easily read and digest your information. This tends to work best in the work experience section, where bullet points can help your achievements to stand out.
• Optimise your CV with appropriate keywords from the job description. This will help you get past applicant tracking systems that many companies now use.

Always optimize your CV for ATS

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) use algorithms to scan CVs for keywords that match the job description, ranking them according to keyword frequency. Those CVs that rank highly are likely to earn a review by a recruiter, whereas the rest will sink to the bottom of the list. 

Highlight keywords or terms that are emphasised as important or repeated in the job description, then sprinkle these terms across your CV. For example, an office administrator job posting may list the following essential requirements: 

• “Office Administrator”
• “Customer service”
• “MS Office”
• “Communication skills”
• “Attention to detail”

Your CV profile summary, when integrating these keywords, could read: 

“Energetic Office Administrator, with a solid foundation in providing optimal administrative support and customer service in fast-paced service environments. Skilled in office software, including advanced knowledge of MS Office. Eager to apply strong communication skills and attention to detail to facilitate smooth and effective office operations.” 

In most cases, the best CV format to use for your office administrator CV is reverse chronological. This format details recent work experience listed under dated employer headings, starting with your current or most recent job and working back to earlier roles. Most hiring managers expect to see this format and, as a result, find it easy to read.

If you’re just starting out as an office administrator, the functional CV format might offer a better solution. This structure prioritises skills and strengths, with little or no focus on any work experience. While this format tackles a lack of experience, it can be viewed a bit like smoke and mirrors by recruiters who may think you’re hiding something. ATS also struggle to parse a skills-based CV as keywords are in the “wrong” place. 

A good compromise is a hybrid (combination) CV format. Often considered the offspring of the reverse chronological and functional CV, this format places equal weight on skills and experience. Perfect if you’ve acquired a little work experience as well as transferable skills.

Your CV needs to be super organised, polished, and professional—also qualities of a great office administrator. Stick to a one-page, clean, crisp, and modern CV design that is straightforward for the hiring manager to read. 

Check out our CV templates if you need some inspiration and choose the format that best suits your situation. We also have several administration CV examples you can review. 

One way to distinguish yourself from other job applicants is with an eye-pleasing CV header that draws attention to your contact information. Essentially, this is your visual brand, so it needs to communicate that you’re the full package: positive, proactive, and professional.

Make sure you use the same header design for your cover letter. By presenting your CV and accompanying cover letter as a matching pair, you’re showing your regard for cohesiveness and the finer details. Here’s what you need to include: 

• Full name & title . List your first and last name in a large font and bold text, followed by the title of the role you are pursuing.
• Professional email address . Include a straightforward email address, such as [email protected] . Avoid anything quirky or unprofessional.
• Phone number . Share a phone number where you can be easily reached, complete with a professional voicemail message.
• Location . Your full address on a CV is no longer expected. Provide your city or general location or a ‘Willing to relocate' if applicable.
• LinkedIn . Include a link to your LinkedIn profile. Just check this is updated and consistent with the information on your office administrator CV.

Don’t include:

• Social media : Avoid including any personal social media accounts, such as Instagram, X, YouTube, or Facebook.
• Personal details : Personal details, such as marital status, number of children, date of birth, and your NI number, are not expected or required on your CV.

Teddy Bennett

Office Administrator 

07911 123 456

Norwich, UK

[email protected]

LinkedIn profile

Administrative Specialist 

07911123456

5 Alderstone Terrace, Norwich, UK

Your professional summary is your initial pitch to the hiring manager, so it needs to set the tone and introduce you as an efficient, reliable, and top-notch office administrator. 

How have you reached this point in your career? What are your passions and aspirations? How do these fit with the requirements of the office administrator role? Bottom line: what can you do for this company if hired? An impressive summary will highlight your administrative talents and give the hiring manager a good sense of the value you can bring to their company.

Stick to three or four key sentences that outline your core administrative experience, top soft skills (communication, organisation, and multi-tasking) and the unique value you can offer. This could include your ability to administer multifaceted operations, your commitment to delivering seamless client care, or your proven success optimising administrative systems and processes.  

You will, of course, go into more detail elsewhere in your CV but this will give hiring managers a quick insight into what you have achieved and can achieve in the future. 

Need inspiration for your summary? Check out our related CV examples : 

• Administrative assistant example
• Personal assistant example
• Administrator example

You can find adaptable placement CV example summaries below:

Detail-oriented professional, with valuable administrative and customer service skills gained via volunteer work for a local charity. Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently to exacting standards. Articulate and confident communicator.

Experienced, proactive office administrator, who acts with tact, discretion, and professionalism at all times. Skilled in complex diary management, events coordination, and general office management. Proficient in MS Office Suite and various office management software. 

Dynamic and reliable senior administrator, with 8+ years administrative experience in the FMCG sector. Superior organisation and communication skills, applied to ensure seamless office operations and lead the administrative team. Optimised office efficiency by 35% in current role via the introduction of automated systems.

The all-important work experience section is your opportunity to show employers that you’re the perfect administrator for their office. 

Using the job description as your guide, list your current (or most recent) job at the beginning of this section, then work back in reverse chronological order to earlier roles. Just include experience relevant to your target role, covering no more than 10-15 years.

Creating dynamic, concise bullet points under each employer and role heading will make your work history more impactful. Action verbs can build even more momentum. Verbs such as ‘organised,’ ‘handled,’ ‘maintained,’ and ‘revitalised,’ can be applied to create some impact.

As an office administrator, it can sometimes be difficult to include quantifiable information when it comes to detailing achievements on your CV. While you may not have been assigned specific targets, there are bound to be areas where you have gone above and beyond to achieve results. Avoid simply listing administrative responsibilities, for example:  

• Delivered excellent patient service
• Optimised internal systems and processes to enhance performance
• Supervised junior administrators

. Offer insight into what you can achieve by describing beneficial results, such as: 

• Recognised for customer-centric approach and strong problem-solving skills, leading to an increase in client satisfaction of 25%
• Directly contributed to the practice of securing AGPAL accreditation as part of the project team tasked with optimising internal administrative policies
• Successfully trained and mentored new employees to ensure smooth integration to the administrative team

Take a look at the office administrator employment history CV sample below:

Office Administrator at Aviva, Norwich  June 2018 - Present 

• Manage calendars, schedule appointments, and coordinate meetings for senior executives
• Handle incoming and outgoing correspondence, including emails, letters, and packages
• Maintain and update filing systems, ensuring easy retrieval of important documents
• Assist with the preparation of reports, presentations, and other materials
• Liaise with various departments to ensure effective communication and collaboration

Administrative Assistant at Kettle Foods, Norwich  April 2016 - May 2018 

• Provided comprehensive administrative support to the HR department
• Maintained employee records, processed new hire paperwork, and assisted with onboarding
• Coordinated travel arrangements and expense reports for staff
• Assisted with the planning and execution of company events and meetings

How to write an office administrator CV with no experience

Writing a CV is tricky enough, but what if you’re targeting an office administrator role with zero experience? In this situation, your CV needs to highlight your potential to excel in the role whether that is via relevant education, transferable skills or experience. 

Focus on your educational background. If you’ve completed a degree, diploma, or certificate in business administration or a related field then highlight this prominently on your CV. Any training, projects, or coursework that showcase administrative skills should also be included.

Even without direct experience, it’s likely that you’ll have used a range of administrative skills in other settings. For instance, you may have had a part-time job in a local shop or worked on a group project as part of your academic studies. Both of these situations require great organisational, communication, teamwork , and problem-solving skills. Reference these skills in action in your CV will help you fill in the gaps.

Extracurricular activities can also be a huge bonus. Sports teams, clubs, volunteer work, hobbies, or interests that are relatable to the role of an office administrator can also be used to address a lack of direct work experience. 

Don’t let a lack of experience deter you from applying for an office administrator job posting that catches your eye. Employers are increasingly focusing on skills when making hiring decisions and you have more skills than you think!  

Your skills section should speak the language of the job description by including terms that are repeated and emphasised as important. This includes both hard skills and soft skills . 

Highlighting your hard (administrative) skills, such as diary management, preparing professional documentation, or organising events, could really give you an edge over the competition.

Soft skills are equally important. Administrative roles typically require top-level organisation skills as well as strong customer service, communication, and collaboration skills.  

If you’re wondering how best to outline your skills, check out our CV builder which provides examples of key skills as well as proficiency levels you can adjust. You can also include your own unique skills to add that personal touch.

Here’s what the skills box looks like in our office administrator CV template. 

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Office Management Software
• Strong Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Excellent Organisational and Time Management Abilities
• Detail-oriented and Adaptable

Skills are easy to list, but tangible evidence is much more enticing. When writing your office administrator CV, always think of examples to back up what you are stating. Link each key skill to specific situations and positive outcomes to pique the recruiters' attention.

For example, in your professional profile and work experience, highlight your: 

• Administrative skills by showcasing the level of your experience and whether you’ve worked in SMEs or large corporate organisations.
• Technical capabilities by highlighting knowledge of systems such as MS Office Suite Google Workspace. Gmail, Dropbox, Zoom, and Expensify.
• Teamwork by describing your success working in a cross-functional team in a demanding office environment.

Interviewers will want to hear about your administrative skills in action once you move to the next stage of the recruitment process, so it’s good to be prepared. 

Follow up once on a job application if you don’t hear anything back

Sometimes your application may be overlooked due to the sheer volume of responses a recruiter receives after posting a job advert. You have nothing to lose by sending a polite follow-up email a week or so after sending your initial application and this may just put you back on the radar. Set up a spreadsheet to track your applications.

Moving on to your education section. Keep this clear and direct, with relevant degrees or diplomas in reverse chronological order. If you’ve completed a degree, you don’t need to include your earlier education. Recruiters will understand the steps you’ve taken to reach this level. 

Beyond your degree, this section is a great opportunity to list any training and professional development activities as these will be of great interest to hiring managers:

• Professional courses and certifications . Courses, workshops, and seminars improve your admin skills and show your commitment to professional development.
• In-house training . Feature any company training programs covering administration, customer service, data management, technical skills, and leadership in your CV.

Check out the education section from our adaptable CV sample below:

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, University of East Anglia, Norwich 

• Graduated: June 2016

Recruiters receive hundreds of CVs on a daily basis, with often little time to read them fully, so having the right CV layout and design is critical. Similar to an organised stationery cupboard, you want the reader to easily find what they are looking for.  

While a splash of colour here and there is fine, avoid adding a lot of design elements and bright colours as this can be distracting. We recommend a modern format with clear sections, professional font , and the use of colour splashes sparingly. 

The office administrator CV sample below follows these principles and uses a two-column format which is visually appealing and also maximises valuable space. 

It’s not always easy to get your CV design right the first time, but with the help of our tried and tested CV templates , you should be able to create your very own masterpiece with ease.

Office administrator text-only CV example

Highly organised and efficient office administrator with over 6 years of experience in managing day-to-day operations, providing exceptional administrative support, and ensuring smooth functioning of office procedures. Adept at multi-tasking, problem-solving, and maintaining a professional demeanour in fast-paced environments. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and various office management software. Committed to fostering positive relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders to drive organisational success.

Employment history

Key takeaways for building an office administrator CV

In order to land the best administrative opportunities, your CV needs to showcase your stellar organisation and communication skills, strong attention to detail, flexible approach, and ability to work with professionalism and discretion.

Showcase your skill-set and tailor your CV as much as possible to the specific office administrator role and company using the job description as your guide.

Make your life easier using our online CV builder to create your office administrator CV with adaptable templates and AI-powered content.

Attractive CV templates at your fingertips