Why a clear English CV matters
In British English the document is usually called a CV. In American English it is more often a resume. Either way, it is short and direct. Employers often read it quickly, so your sentences should be short, your verbs strong, and your tenses correct. In this lesson you will learn the main sections, choose useful verbs, and see when to use each tense.
The main CV sections
Most English CVs have these sections. The order can change a little depending on your experience.
- Contact details: name, phone, email, city.
- Personal profile or Summary: two to four lines about you.
- Work experience: past jobs, newest first.
- Education: degrees, schools, courses.
- Skills: languages, software, other abilities.
- Languages and References: optional in some cases.
Note: in the UK and the US, people often leave out age, marital status, and a photo. Customs differ by country, so follow the company’s instructions if there are any.
The personal profile
The profile answers one question: who are you, and what can you offer? It is usually written in the present simple, and you can drop the word I.
- Organised sales assistant with three years of experience in retail.
- I am a motivated graduate who enjoys working in a team.
- Reliable customer service agent with strong communication skills.
The first and third examples do not start with I. This is normal in a CV. They begin with an adjective and then a job title.
Work experience: choosing the tense
The simple rule: use the past simple for finished jobs and the present simple for your current job.
| Situation | Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Finished job | Past simple | Managed a team of five cashiers. |
| Current job | Present simple | Manage a team of five cashiers. |
| Result continuing until now | Present perfect | Have trained over twenty new staff members. |
In a CV we often drop the subject. We write Managed a team instead of I managed a team. This is not a mistake. It is a short, accepted style.
Strong action verbs
Start each bullet point with a verb that shows what you did. Try to avoid weak phrases such as did, helped with, and was responsible for. Here are useful past-tense verbs:
- managed: Managed a small team of four people.
- organised: Organised weekly training sessions. (American: organized)
- created: Created a new filing system for customer records.
- improved: Improved customer satisfaction by answering emails faster.
- trained: Trained five new employees.
- reduced: Reduced waiting times at the front desk.
- handled: Handled up to fifty customer calls a day.
- developed: Developed a simple price list for the shop.
Warning: never invent numbers. Use a number only if it is true and you know it.
A full example of bullet points
This is a finished job:
Sales Assistant, City Store (2019–2022)
- Served customers and answered their questions.
- Organised the shelves every morning.
- Trained two new colleagues.
This is a current job:
Customer Service Agent, Nile Telecom (2022–present)
- Answer customer calls and emails.
- Solve billing problems quickly.
- Work with a team of eight agents.
Notice that the verbs in the current job have no -s because the subject is dropped: Answer, Solve, Work.
Common mistakes for Arabic speakers
| Mistake | Correct | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| I am responsible of sales. | I am responsible for sales. | We say responsible for |
| Manage a team in my last job. | Managed a team in my last job. | A finished job needs the past |
| I have worked at ABC in 2020. | I worked at ABC in 2020. | A fixed year needs the past simple |
| I have 5 years old experience. | I have five years of experience. | Say years of experience, not years old |
| Graduated from the university of Cairo. | Graduated from Cairo University. | Use the usual name form |
In Arabic you may say «أعمل هنا منذ سنتين» using the present. In English, a full sentence uses the present perfect: I have worked here for two years. In CV bullet points, though, we usually keep things short.
Education and Skills sections
In Education, write the qualification first, then the school, then the year:
- BA in English Literature, Cairo University, 2018
- Diploma in Office Administration, 2020
In Skills, use short phrases, not full sentences:
- Languages: Arabic (native), English (intermediate)
- Computer skills: Microsoft Word, Excel
- Soft skills: teamwork, time management
Native means your first language. Intermediate means a middle level. Be honest about your level.
Quick steps to check your CV
- Check that each job has a title, company, and dates.
- Start every bullet with a strong verb.
- Use the past for finished jobs and the present for your current job.
- Keep it to one or two pages.
- Check spelling, and choose British or American English without mixing them, such as organised or organized.
Use the checklist with this article to confirm every section is complete before you send your CV.