A well-structured CV makes it easy for employers to find what they're looking for. Here's the optimal structure that works for most jobs.
The essential sections
Every CV should include these sections, in this order:
- Header / Contact information
- Professional summary (optional but recommended)
- Work experience
- Education
- Skills
- Other relevant information (optional)
1. Header / Contact information
Put this at the top. Include:
- Full name (larger font)
- Phone number
- Email address (professional)
- City (full address not needed)
- LinkedIn profile (if relevant)
- Photo (optional in Denmark, common in Europe)
Tip: Use a professional email. firstname.lastname@email.com works best.
2. Professional summary
A 2-3 sentence overview of who you are professionally. Include:
- Your professional identity
- Years of experience
- Key strength or specialization
- What you're looking for
Example: "Marketing specialist with 5 years of experience in digital campaigns and social media strategy. Proven track record of increasing engagement by 40%. Seeking a senior role in a growth-focused company."
3. Work experience
This is usually the most important section. For each position, include:
- Job title
- Company name
- Dates (month/year to month/year)
- 3-5 bullet points describing achievements
Pro tip: Start each bullet with an action verb. Focus on achievements, not duties.
| Weak (duties) | Strong (achievements) |
|---|---|
| Responsible for customer service | Improved customer satisfaction scores by 25% |
| Managed social media | Grew Instagram following from 5,000 to 20,000 in 6 months |
4. Education
List your education in reverse chronological order. Include:
- Degree/qualification
- Institution name
- Graduation year (or expected)
- Relevant courses or thesis topic (if applicable)
If you're a recent graduate, you can put education before work experience.
5. Skills
List skills relevant to the job. Categories can include:
- Technical skills: Software, programming languages, tools
- Languages: Danish (native), English (fluent), etc.
- Certifications: Relevant professional certifications
Be specific. Instead of "Microsoft Office," write "Advanced Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros)."
6. Optional sections
Add these if they strengthen your application:
- Volunteer work: Shows character and initiative
- Projects: Relevant personal or professional projects
- Publications: If relevant to your field
- Awards: Professional recognition
Formatting best practices
- Length: 1-2 pages maximum
- Font: Professional, readable (Arial, Calibri, Garamond)
- Font size: 10-12pt for body, 14-16pt for headers
- Margins: At least 2.5cm on all sides
- File format: PDF unless otherwise specified
- File name: Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf
Common mistakes to avoid
- No dates: Always include time periods
- Inconsistent formatting: Keep fonts, spacing, and bullet styles consistent
- Generic descriptions: Avoid clichés like "team player" without examples
- Typos: Proofread multiple times
Try it yourself
- Open a blank document
- Create the six main sections with headers
- Fill in your contact information
- List your most recent 3 positions
- Write one achievement for each position
Next step
You have the structure. Now learn how to tailor your CV for each specific job.