Real CV Examples That Landed Jobs
Explore real-world CV examples written by professionals. See how successful candidates tailored their CVs to different roles, industries, and experience levels.
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What Is a CV Example?
A CV example is a pre-filled sample document that demonstrates how real candidates structure their CVs to secure jobs in various sectors. These examples provide inspiration for layout, tone, and how to highlight your experience, skills, and achievements effectively.
Types of CV Examples
There are many ways to write a CV — and our examples reflect that diversity. Here are the most common types we offer:
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Chronological CV Examples: These examples follow a traditional format, listing work experience in reverse chronological order starting with the most recent job. Ideal for professionals with a steady career path and clear progression.
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Functional CV Examples: These focus more on skills and competencies rather than job history. Often used by career changers or those with gaps in employment, they group achievements by skill category rather than job title.
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Combination CV Examples: Also known as hybrid CVs, these examples combine both chronological and functional styles. They begin with a summary of skills followed by a chronological list of roles — ideal for mid-level professionals and freelancers.
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Targeted CV Examples: These CV examples are tailored for specific job titles or industries. They show how to match skills and keywords to a particular job description — ideal for standing out in competitive roles.
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Infographic or Visual CV Examples: Creative CVs that use graphics, icons, and colour to enhance presentation. Perfect for designers, marketers, and others in visually driven fields wanting to make a bold impression.
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Mini CV Examples: Concise, short-form examples that typically fit on one page. They focus only on essential qualifications and contact details — great for networking events or conferences.
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Portfolio CV Examples: These include work samples alongside traditional CV content. Ideal for creatives such as designers, writers, and photographers who want to showcase specific projects.
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Academic CV Examples: More common in academia and research, these CVs show how to structure extended documents with a focus on education, publications, and professional contributions in detail.
Choosing the right type of CV example depends on factors such as your work history, career goals, and the specific requirements of the job you are applying for.
Who Needs CV Examples?
CV examples are valuable tools for anyone building or improving their CV. They provide inspiration, structure, and practical context — helping job seekers create stronger, more relevant documents. Here are the types of people who benefit most:
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Job Seekers: Whether you're a recent graduate, changing careers, or actively job hunting, CV examples help you see how others with similar backgrounds have created strong, eye-catching CVs.
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Students and Recent Graduates: Examples aimed at internships, part-time roles, and entry-level jobs help students understand how to highlight academic achievements, extracurriculars, and limited experience effectively.
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Experienced Professionals: Professionals at mid- to senior-level can benefit from examples that focus on achievements, leadership roles, and promotions while maintaining a clear, polished format.
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Freelancers and Contractors: These examples demonstrate how to structure project-based work, client collaborations, and results-driven skills — ideal for those creating a portfolio-style CV.
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Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: If you're looking for investors, partners, or advisory opportunities, CV examples for entrepreneurs highlight leadership, strategy, and measurable impact.
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Returning to the Workforce: Tailored examples for returners show how to position transferable skills, voluntary roles, and past experience to smoothly re-enter employment after a career break.
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Public Sector and Charity Applicants: Examples for the public and not-for-profit sectors show how to emphasise experience and values relevant to mission-driven or regulated work environments.
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Career Changers: These CVs highlight transferable skills, cross-sector experience, and relevant learning to help you confidently transition into a new career path.
In summary, CV examples offer a clear blueprint for crafting documents across all experience levels and industries. By using proven formats and tailored content, you can create a CV that speaks directly to the position you are targeting — increasing your chances of standing out.
Why Is resumefy.com the Best Source for CV Examples?
At resumefy.com, we are more than just a CV builder — we are your go-to resource for real-world examples that help you create a winning document with confidence. Here’s why thousands trust us:
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User-Friendly Interface: Our easy-to-navigate platform lets you browse, filter, and apply professional CV examples effortlessly. Quickly find examples that suit your role or industry and customise them in just a few clicks.
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Inspiration from Real Examples: We provide hundreds of genuine CV examples from a wide range of industries, so you can see exactly how others successfully present their experience, skills, and achievements.
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AI-Powered Suggestions: Our AI tools suggest CV examples based on your role, experience level, and goals — plus tips for optimising keywords and layout to get results.
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Fully Mobile-Optimised: Access our CV builder and example library anytime, anywhere — whether you're on a desktop, tablet, or mobile device.
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Privacy-Focused Design: Your personal data is safe with us. We follow strict privacy practices and never share your information — ensuring full control over your CV creation process.
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ATS-Friendly CV Examples: Every CV example is designed to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), increasing the likelihood of progressing through initial recruitment screenings.
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Extra Job Search Tools: Beyond CV examples, we also offer additional tools such as cover letter templates, interview preparation guides, and career advice resources.
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Dedicated Support Team: Need help customising your CV example? Our friendly support team is here to assist you at every step, ensuring you create your best CV.
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Free to Try: Explore our full library of CV examples and try our CV builder with no upfront cost. Experience the benefits before making any commitment.
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Trusted by Thousands: Join thousands of job seekers who’ve used our examples to land interviews and job offers. Don’t just take our word for it — explore our glowing 5-star reviews!
Ready to elevate your CV? Sign up for free today at resumefy.com and unlock countless career opportunities!
Frequently Asked Questions
When reviewing CV examples, it’s important to understand which sections are typically included so that you can structure your own effectively. Here are the key elements you’ll find in most high-quality examples:
Header / Contact Information: Displays the candidate’s name, phone number, email address, and optionally a LinkedIn profile or physical address — all positioned clearly at the top for easy reference.
CV Summary or Objective: This brief intro summarises your experience or outlines your career goals. It grabs the employer’s attention and sets the tone for the rest of the document.
Work Experience: Typically listed in reverse chronological order, this section includes job titles, company names, employment dates, and bullet points highlighting key responsibilities and achievements.
Education: Includes academic qualifications such as degrees, institutions, graduation years, and relevant honours or coursework. May also mention certifications or grades if applicable.
Skills: A section highlighting hard and soft skills — such as software expertise, languages, or teamwork — tailored to the role you’re applying for.
Achievements and Awards: Optional but useful for showcasing measurable successes, recognition, or standout contributions in your professional or academic history.
Professional Development: Covers workshops, training courses, online learning, and certifications that show continued growth and industry involvement.
By including these sections, your CV becomes clear, structured, and professional — giving employers a strong first impression.
CV examples are excellent resources for understanding what makes a compelling, well-structured document. Here’s how to make the most of them:
Find a Relevant Example: Choose a CV example that matches your industry, role, or experience level (e.g., junior developer, project manager, or recent graduate).
Analyse the Structure: Note how the CV is organised — section order, bullet points, and groupings of information. Use this layout as inspiration for your own.
Study the Language: Review how key accomplishments are phrased. Good CVs use active language and quantifiable results (e.g., “Reduced costs by 20%”). Mirror that tone in your own writing.
Tailor It to Yourself: Don’t copy content — personalise the example by adding your own experience, figures, and skills relevant to the job you're applying for.
Use Keywords from Job Descriptions: CV examples can help identify common keywords in your industry. Match these with job listings to optimise for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems).
Check Formatting and Design: Well-crafted examples show how to keep a CV neat, consistent, and visually appealing. Use similar formatting for professionalism.
Customise for Every Job: Even if you reuse a base CV, each job should have a tailored version highlighting different experiences based on what the role requires.
Focus on Transferable Skills: Especially useful for career changers — CV examples can show how to present adaptable skills that apply to a new field.
Address Common Challenges: Examples can show you how to handle employment gaps, limited experience, or job changes effectively.
Pro tip: Use examples to solve challenges — like gaps in employment or career transitions. See how others approach it and adapt accordingly.
Absolutely — even with a strong CV example, a personalised cover letter is still important. A CV shows your background, but a cover letter lets you explain why you’re the right person for the role.
Adds Context: CVs present the facts. A cover letter provides the narrative — your career goals, transitions, and motivations.
Shows Your Personality: Your tone, enthusiasm, and communication style come through more in a cover letter than on a CV.
Helps Connect the Dots: Especially important if you’re changing industries or returning to work — the letter can bridge gaps and clarify your suitability.
Lets You Personalise Further: Even if your CV is tailored, your cover letter can specifically reference the company and role — showing genuine interest.
Demonstrates Effort: Not all applicants send a cover letter. Doing so proves you’re diligent, serious, and professional.
Tip: You can use the CV examples as a guide for cover letter language and structure, too — consistency matters.
While CV examples are helpful, misusing them can backfire. Here are key pitfalls to avoid:
Copying Word-for-Word: Examples are for guidance, not duplication. Copying content can appear generic and inauthentic — and may be flagged by recruiters.
Lack of Personalisation: Don’t use an example without tweaking it. Adapt the language and experience to reflect your actual background.
Using the Wrong Style for Your Industry: An artistic CV may suit designers but not accountants or lawyers. Choose an example that matches the expectations of your field.
Picking Irrelevant Examples: Select examples that align with your experience level. A student should not use a senior executive CV as a base.
Using Too Many Buzzwords: Strong action verbs are good — but avoid overloading your CV with jargon. Keep it specific and results-driven.
Neglecting Design Fundamentals: Even with great content, a poorly formatted CV may be dismissed. Maintain clarity, spacing, and consistency.
Losing Your Unique Voice: Examples guide tone, but your CV should still reflect your personality and unique strengths.
Avoid these mistakes to get the most out of CV examples — use them as inspiration, not templates to copy.
Great CV examples always display clear and professional contact details — your own CV should do the same. Here’s what to include:
Full Name: Place your full legal name at the top. Use bold text or a slightly larger font for visibility.
Phone Number: Use a phone number where you can be easily reached. Set up a professional voicemail message just in case.
Email Address: Use a professional-sounding email (e.g., [email protected]). Avoid informal or outdated addresses.
LinkedIn Profile (Optional): Add your LinkedIn if it aligns with your CV. It adds extra context and credibility.
Portfolio or Personal Website (Optional): Great for creatives and tech professionals. Link to a portfolio showcasing your work.
Physical Address (Optional): You may include your city and country — full addresses are optional and not required in most modern CVs.
Professional Social Media (Optional): If you have a relevant, polished presence (e.g., GitHub or Behance), it’s worth linking.
Tip: Always double-check your contact details before sending out your CV — even the best document won’t help if no one can reach you.
