Structure: Sections & Order

Introduction

Global tech recruiters expect specific sections, in a specific order.

Recruiters typically spend 6-7 seconds reviewing a CV, so if it's missing key sections or organised incorrectly, it becomes harder to scan and get the key information.

Ensure you have the following sections, in the displayed order.

Header

This should appear at the very top and include:

• Full name

• Professional job title (e.g. Backend Engineer, Product Manager)

• Email

• Phone number

• Location (City, Country)

• Optional: LinkedIn, GitHub, portfolio

Due to strict anti-discrimination laws in countries like the UK and US, do not include personal information like:

• Age or date of birth

• Marital status

• Gender

• Nationality (unless legally required)

• Race or ethnicity

Profile Summary

The profile summary becomes the first place recruiters look to understand who you are, without reading the entire document.

Keep it short (<50 words) and focused. Ensure you do this:

• Start with the noun describing your job role e.g. "Software Engineer", "Front End Engineer"

• Show experience level & domains

• Answer why you are a good fit for the job

• Use active voice

• Use action verbs

Imagine the recruiter won’t read the rest of your CV. What key information should they know?

Data Analyst with 3+ years of experience working with financial datasets and index methodologies. Skilled in analysing complex data, reconstructing indices, and enhancing data quality to support investment decision-making. Proficient in Python and confident presenting insights to diverse stakeholders.

Skills Section

This should be clean, scannable and keyword-friendly.

Group skills logically, for example:

Languages: Python, Java, TypeScript
Frameworks: React, Node.js, Spring Boot
Tools: AWS, Docker, Kubernetes
Methodologies: Agile, Scrum

Avoid long paragraphs here and listing skills that are not relevant to the job you're applying to.

Work Experience

Your work experience should be in reverse chronological order (most recent role first).

Each role should include:

Job Title + Company, Location + Dates (MM/YYYY - MM/YYYY)

Followed by bullet points describing responsibilities and achievements.

Front End Engineering Lead | Meta, London | 08/2018 - 04/2021

If it's your current role:

Front End Engineering Lead | Meta, London | 08/2018 - Present

Education

Unless you're currently a student or a recent graduate, work experience should be prioritised above your education.

Even if you have many years of work experience, it's still important to state your education on your CV, but it should be brief.

Include:

• Degree

• Institution

• Dates

Optional: Result achieved (e.g. 83%, First Class Honours), relevant modules/projects (if graduate/junior)

BSc Mathematics, First Class Honours (83%)

Oxford University, 2014-2017

Languages

This section is often forgotten about, but very important for global roles.

List the languages you can speak and the level.

Spanish (Native), English (Proficient)

How to state language level? Use professional terms like Fluent, Advanced, or Proficient.

Optional Sections

The following sections are optional:

Certifications
Cloud (AWS, GCP), Scrum, PMP, etc.. and the date the certification was achieved.

Projects
These can be personal or professional, and useful if you’re a recent graduate, junior or switching careers.

Recommended Order

Here is the recommended order of your CV or Resume if you have working experience:

1. Header

2. Profile Summary

3. Skills

4. Work Experience

5. Education

6. Languages

7. Optional Sections

If you are a student or recent graduate, place Education above Work Experience, especially if your degree is your strongest qualification.

If you have limited or no relevant work experience, you may structure your CV like this:

1. Header

2. Profile Summary

3. Skills

4. Education

5. Projects

6. Internships / Part-time Work (if relevant)

7. Languages