What Should I Include in My CV? Core Sections Guide
Essential: professional summary, reverse-chronological experience, education, skills. Optional (if relevant): certifications, languages, projects. Skip outdated or irrelevant details to stay concise.
Last updated: 1/4/2026 · Author: MojCV Team · Reviewed by: HR Specialists
Last updated: 1/4/2026
Author: MojCV Team · Reviewed by: HR Specialists
Direct Answer
A professional CV must include your Contact details, Professional summary, Work experience, Education, and Key skills. Only add optional sections like "Languages" or "Licenses" if they help you get the specific job you are applying for.
The 5 Required Sections
- Contact details: Your full name, professional email, phone number, and your city/country.
- Professional summary: A 3-sentence introduction that explains your background and your value.
- Work experience: Your previous jobs listed from newest to oldest, with short notes on your duties and wins.
- Education: Your degrees, diplomas, or highest level of schooling.
- Key skills: A list of the specific tools or abilities you have that match the job description.
Optional Sections (Add only if relevant)
- Certifications and licenses: Such as driving licenses, safety certificates, or professional permits.
- Languages: List the languages you speak and your level of fluency.
- Volunteer work: Only if it shows skills that are useful for the job.
- Projects: Specific examples of work you have done outside of your regular jobs.
What to Leave Out
- Personal details: Do not include your date of birth, marital status, or religion. These are not required for hiring.
- References: Do not write "References available on request." If an employer wants them, they will ask you later.
- Old or irrelevant information: Remove school grades from 20 years ago or jobs that have nothing to do with the role.
- Long paragraphs: Employers do not have time to read long stories. Use short bullet points instead.