Your CV in English: writing a CV or résumé that works

CV or résumé: what is the difference?

In British English the document is called a CV (curriculum vitae); in American English it is a résumé, usually written without accents. A British CV normally runs to two pages, while an American résumé is often just one. In the US, by contrast, a CV means a detailed academic record listing publications and teaching experience.

If you are applying from Germany, Austria or Switzerland, first establish which country and which company culture you are applying to. An international group headquartered in Munich will often expect an English CV on the British model, whereas a US start-up is more likely to want a concise résumé.

Your CV in English: structure and order

An English CV starts with your name and contact details, followed by a short profile, your work experience in reverse chronological order, your education and your skills. References are optional. The UK’s National Careers Service lists contact details, an introduction, education, work experience and references as the core building blocks of a CV.

The typical order

1. Name and contact details: name, phone number, email, location and, optionally, your LinkedIn profile.
2. Personal statement / Summary: three or four sentences on your profile, experience and goal.
3. Work experience / Professional experience: most recent position first, with results.
4. Education: qualifications, institution, year and, where relevant, your specialism.
5. Skills: technical knowledge, software, languages with levels.
6. Optional: certifications, volunteering, publications, interests.
7. References: in the UK often “References available on request”, or left out.

According to the National Careers Service, two or three lines per position are usually enough. Graduates put education before work experience; experienced professionals do it the other way round.

Stating your language skills correctly

Give your language levels using the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), for example “German (B2), English (native), French (B1)”. For applications to the US, where the CEFR is less familiar, add descriptions such as “fluent” or “professional working proficiency”. Only use terms such as “business fluent” if you really can handle meetings and negotiations confidently, because that will be tested in the job interview in English at the latest.

Photo, date of birth, marital status: what doesn’t belong in an English CV?

British CVs and American résumés include no photo, date of birth, age, marital status or nationality. The National Careers Service explicitly advises against giving your age, date of birth, marital status or nationality. US careers services recommend the same and also advise against a photo. The background is anti-discrimination law and the expectation of neutral recruitment.

Leave out

• a photo
• date of birth, place of birth, age
• marital status, children, religion
• nationality, unless it is relevant to your right to work
• a signature and date at the end

The careers office at Pomona College advises international applicants for US jobs to leave out their age, date of birth, marital status, religion and photo.

Exceptions

If you are applying in English to a company in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, expectations may differ. Some firms still want a photo even though their corporate language is English. In that case, follow the job advert. You may mention your work permit or visa if it is relevant to the role, for example “Eligible to work in the UK” or “EU Blue Card holder”.

Action verbs: strong verbs for your English CV

English CVs describe your work with active verbs in the simple past, or in the present simple for your current job. Instead of “responsible for”, write what you did and achieved: led, reduced, introduced. Every bullet point starts with a verb, without “I”, and where possible names a measurable result. The table below gives verbs and examples for common areas.

Watch your spelling: British English uses optimised, analysed, organised; American English uses optimized, analyzed, organized. Don’t mix the two within one document.

From weak to strong

• Weak: Responsible for customer complaints. Strong: Resolved around 30 customer complaints per week and introduced an FAQ that reduced repeat queries.
• Weak: Was involved in the SAP project. Strong: Trained 40 colleagues on the new SAP module.

The figures in these examples are fictitious. In your own CV, only give figures you can back up in the interview.

Translating German job titles and qualifications correctly

German qualifications and titles rarely have an exact English equivalent. A proven approach is to give the German term followed by a short English explanation, for example “Abitur (German university entrance qualification)”. For job titles, choose the title that is usual in the target country for similar responsibilities rather than translating word for word.

Many universities and chambers of commerce specify their own English names. Use them where they exist. If German is your first language, watch out for false friends such as Chef (boss, not cook) or Handy (mobile phone); our article on typical mistakes German speakers make in English (in German) lists more.

English CV template: sample sections to adapt

A good English CV template consists of clearly structured sections with short bullet points rather than continuous text. The following examples show a personal statement, a work experience entry and an education section in British style. Adapt the content, figures and spelling to your own career and to the country you are applying to.

Personal statement

Procurement specialist with eight years’ experience in the automotive supply industry. Skilled in supplier negotiations, contract management and cost analysis across European markets. Looking to take on a role with greater international responsibility in a fast-growing manufacturing company.

The person behind this text, Katrin M. (example), works in Nuremberg. The section states her role, experience, strengths and goal, without “I” and without clichés such as “hard-working team player”.

Work experience

Senior Buyer, Example Components GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany

March 2021 to present

• Manage a supplier portfolio for electronic components.
• Negotiate annual framework agreements with suppliers in Germany, Poland and Italy.
• Introduced a quarterly supplier review that improved on-time delivery.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, University of Applied Sciences, Ansbach, 2016

Focus: Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Skills

Languages: German (native), English (C1), Polish (B1)

IT: SAP MM, Microsoft Excel (advanced)

Keep date formats consistent. In British English, “March 2021” or “03/2021” are clear; avoid purely numerical German-style formats such as “03.2021”, and remember that the US puts the month before the day.

Cover letters and common mistakes in English CVs

An English CV is usually accompanied by a cover letter of about one page: a link to the role, two or three relevant achievements and a short close. Common mistakes, especially among German speakers, are literal translations, overlong sentences, mixed spellings and phrases such as “I am responsible for” instead of active verbs.

Structure of a cover letter

1. Salutation: “Dear Ms Smith,” (UK, no full stop after Ms) or “Dear Ms. Smith:” (US, formal). If you don’t know the name: “Dear Hiring Manager”.
2. Opening: which position you are applying for and why.
3. Main part: two or three pieces of evidence from your experience that match the job advert.
4. Close: interest in an interview, for example “I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application.”
5. Sign-off: UK “Yours sincerely” when you know the name, “Yours faithfully” when you don’t; US “Sincerely”.

Many rules on salutations and tone apply to emails too. Read more in writing emails in English.

Typical mistakes

• “Curriculum Vitae” as the heading: your name belongs at the top, not the type of document.
• “Since 2021 I work as”: correct is “I have worked as … since 2021” in running text, or “2021 to present” in the CV.
• “Personal data” as a separate block with date of birth and marital status.
• Inconsistent tenses in the bullet points.
• Abbreviations of German qualifications without explanation, such as “Dipl.-Kfm.”.

From paper to interview

A good CV opens the door, but you have to convince people in the interview. If you feel unsure about that, a few hours of targeted training will help. In language courses for individuals at choices®, you practise introducing yourself, asking questions and discussing salary with a teacher, from €49.99 incl. VAT per 45-minute lesson. We teach British and American English, with a focus on authentic communication.

Sources

1. nationalcareers.service.gov.uk: cv sections
2. cdo.pomona.edu: u s resume tips for international students

Frequently asked questions