40+ Top UK CV Examples: From Students to Seasoned Professionals.

The CV – or curriculum vitae – is one of the most important tools in your job search. This document shines a light on your education, work experience, skills and achievements, and will likely be the first thing a potential employer sees.

Different life stages, such as being a student, beginning your career, or being a seasoned professional can influence your CV’s focus. And if you’re applying for multiple jobs, a standard CV might not be suitable.

Whether you’re creating a CV with no experience or switching industries, our CV examples can be a good starting point. Draft your own CV with ideas and templates from Adobe Express.

6 good CV examples for your next job application.

CVs can follow different formats – from chronological layouts to a skills-based structure. Chronological CVs set out your qualifications and work history against the job requirements in reverse chronological order. Comparatively, skills-based CVs highlight the skills you have developed throughout your life and how they can be applied to your new role.

Both CV formats cover different industries and cater to varied job application requirements. While they differ in structure and focus, there are some key elements that overlap. Here are some of the different template ideas and examples based on each structure.

What makes a strong CV in the UK?

The best CV examples usually have one thing in common: they showcase your capabilities and achievements in one snapshot. Here are some essential features that your CV can’t go without.

• Contact details. All CVs should include your name, phone number, email address and a URL to your LinkedIn profile (if you have one). Ensure your email is professional and avoid including nicknames.
• Personal statement. Write a short paragraph summarising your key skills and career goals. A personal summary helps to create a strong first impression and highlight your professional aspirations. Keep it brief and effective.
• Work experience. Detail your relevant job experience, including company names, locations and dates. Highlight key responsibilities and achievements to demonstrate your skills in previous roles.
• Education. List your academic qualifications by title, the name of the institution and the dates of study. These should descend in order of most to least recent, and only go as far back as your GCSEs.
• Skills. Include a list of relevant skills, ranging from soft to technical. This can help you to showcase your qualifications that match the job requirements.

6 creative CV examples.

A creative CV is ideal for professions in graphic design, advertising and marketing. These CVs should include a personal branding statement with a bit of creative flair, as well as a skills section, work experience and a portfolio link. Key skills in a creative CV can include communication, creativity, project management and, if applicable, technical proficiency in relevant software.

As it’s creative-based, unique typography, engaging graphics and an appealing layout won’t go amiss. This format allows applicants to show their individuality while demonstrating their skills and qualifications, helping them to stand out in competitive fields.

6 academic CV examples.

As the name suggests, an academic CV emphasises an educational background and differs in structure and length. They often follow a reverse chronological format, highlighting accomplishments and contributions in a professional, scholarly manner. They also don’t have a page limit.

Students applying for college or university may write these CVs, with key elements including a personal statement, education, research experience, and relevant awards or grants.

Academic CVs Essential skills can include communication, research proficiency and analytical thinking. Details of research outcomes, professional memberships and references should also be included.

6 teaching CV examples.

A teaching CV focuses on educational qualifications, teaching experience and skills relevant to education – perfect for primary, secondary, university and training institutions. Key elements include a personal statement, education, teaching experience, personal development and any relevant activities such as coaching or youth groups.

Teaching CVs are typically chronological, emphasising relevant experience and contributions to student learning. Essentials skills can include curriculum development, adaptability and communication, as well as specialist skills like languages, leadership abilities or IT knowledge.

Close with at least two references, such as one from a teaching professional and one from teacher training.

6 healthcare CV examples.

A healthcare CV is ideal for professions in nursing, allied health, medicine and public health. It should focus on patient care skills, medical knowledge and patient relationships. Key features include a compelling professional summary, education, certifications and licences, clinical experience and relevant skills.

CVs with a healthcare focus are often chronological, showcasing specialisations and hands-on experience from most to least recent. Essential skills to highlight are communication, teamwork, patient care and problem-solving. If applicable, including professional affiliations and continuing education can demonstrate dedication to learning and professional growth.

6 hospitality CV examples.

A hospitality CV highlights customer service experience, interpersonal skills and industry-specific qualifications. These are ideal for jobs in restaurants, hotels, tourism and event planning.

Key features include a personal statement, work experience, education, certifications and relevant skills. Projects, professional affiliations and awards and honours also offer more insight into your professional persona.

Hospitality CVs can be chronological or skills-based, focusing on roles and achievements in service and guest relations. Highlight significant achievements early on. Essential skills include communication, teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability. These can showcase your ability to handle demanding, fast-paced environments.

6 accounting CV examples.

An accounting CV focuses on analytical skills, financial expertise and relevant certifications, ideal for roles in finance departments and accounting firms. Essential features include your personal summary, education, work experience, certifications (like ACCA or CPA) and key skills.

These CVs follow a reverse chronological structure, emphasising roles and accomplishments in tax preparation, financial reporting or auditing. Key skills to include are proficiency in accounting software, analytical thinking and attention to detail. Include any awards or honours, projects and continuing education, keeping it professional and concise.

6 legal CV examples.

Also known as a law CV, a legal CV focuses on experience, qualifications and skills relevant to the legal profession. These CVs are great examples for roles in law firms, corporate legal departments and public service. Key features include your education, work experience, bar admissions and relevant skills. The personal summary can be brief, with more focus on this in the cover letter.

Legal CVs have a reverse chronological structure. The education section should include relevant modules, electives and awards, while legal work experience should highlight any placements and pro bono work. Commercial awareness is a bonus for legal CVs, so include any relevant responsibilities and tasks.

Using Adobe Express to craft your own CV.

Adobe Express lets you easily design a CV with editable CV templates. Open Adobe Express in your web browser and create a new project. The template library provides numerous designs, and the Generative AI function lets you write a prompt that creates a template based on your description.

Depending on whether you want to create an accounting or academic CV, it’s easy to find a design in the right format. Choose different fonts, add effects and colours, or edit graphics and photos. When you’re happy with your design, you can download and save to your computer for future applications.

Try Adobe Express for free now

Good to know.

What is the best CV format in the UK?

A traditional CV, sometimes referred to as a chronological or standard CV, is the most popular and common CV format. This typically follows a reverse chronological order, with the most recent details listed first. Traditional CVs allow applicants to provide clear details of qualifications, responsibilities and work history that match the job description. Learn how to format your own CV with Adobe Express.

What is a good intro sentence for a CV?

Your personal summary is a strong introduction to your CV and should be short yet impactful. Start by describing who you are and the current stage in your path, keeping it brief and impactful. For example: “A results-driven accountant with over seven years of experience in tax compliance and financial management.”

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 2GB of storage. See our  pricing page for details and to compare plans.