CV Writing · Checklist
The student CV checklist
Before you submit, run your CV through these quick checks. They catch the mistakes that quietly cost students interviews.
Content
- One page, focused on your most relevant education, projects and experience.
- A short, specific personal summary — not a generic objective.
- Every bullet starts with an action verb and shows a result.
- Numbers wherever honest — users, grades, budgets, followers, improvements.
- Projects and experience tailored to the role you're applying for.
- No spelling or grammar mistakes (read it aloud, and get a second pair of eyes).
Formatting & ATS
- Standard section headings (Education, Experience, Skills) so ATS can parse it.
- One clean font, consistent sizes, plenty of white space.
- No text inside images, tables or headers that screening software can't read.
- Consistent date formats and tense (past tense for finished work).
- Saved as PDF for most applications (or DOCX if asked).
- File named clearly, e.g. Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf.
Contact & links
- Correct email and phone number (double-check them).
- A professional email address, not a nickname.
- Working links to LinkedIn and, for tech roles, GitHub.
- City and country — no need for a full home address.
- No photo, date of birth or marital status (unless a country/role requires it).
- Everything up to date with your latest projects and grades.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my CV is ATS-friendly?
Use standard headings, avoid text in images/tables, and keep formatting simple. See our ATS-friendly CV guide.
Should a student CV be one or two pages?
One page. Prioritise your strongest, most relevant content and cut the rest.
Does Careero handle this automatically?
Yes — Careero keeps your CV one page, ATS-friendly and consistently formatted as you build.
Build a CV that passes every check
Careero applies these best practices automatically as you go.
Build my CV free