To write a CV in English, use standard English section headings, write short action-led bullets instead of translated sentences, and explain anything local: degree names, grading systems and job titles. Keep dates and formats consistent, then ask a fluent speaker to check it or read it aloud yourself before sending.
The examples below are fictional. Replace every [bracketed] detail with your own.
Use standard English section headings
| Section | Common English heading |
|---|---|
| Personal details | Contact details (name, phone, email, city) |
| Objective or profile | Profile, Professional summary or Career objective |
| Work experience | Experience or Work experience |
| Education | Education |
| Skills | Skills |
| Languages | Languages |
| Certificates and courses | Certifications or Training |
| Volunteering | Volunteer experience |
Write in English, do not translate sentence by sentence
Literal translation produces sentences that are grammatically correct but sound unnatural, and they are usually too long. Write each bullet the English way: start with a past-tense verb, say what you did, then what it achieved.
Translated vs written in English (fictional)
Translated: I was responsible for the realization of the monthly reports of the sales of the company.
Written in English: Prepared monthly sales reports for [number] regional managers.
Translated: Attention to the clients by telephone and by email.
Written in English: Answered about [number] customer calls and emails a day.
How to present foreign degrees and grades
- Keep the official name of the degree, then add a short English description: "Licenciatura en Administración (Bachelor's degree in Business Administration)".
- Explain the grading scale if it is unusual: "GPA 8.7/10" or "First Class (highest band)".
- Name the institution as it appears on your certificate, with the city and country.
- Do not claim an English-system equivalent (such as "Master's") unless an official evaluation says so.
Job titles, dates and small details
- Translate job titles into the common English equivalent, and keep the original in brackets if it is unusual.
- Use one date format everywhere, such as "Mar 2023 – Present".
- Add the country to employer locations for international applications.
- State your English level honestly: native, fluent, professional working proficiency, or a test result such as IELTS [score].
CV in English example (fictional)
[Your Name] — [Target role]
[Phone with country code] · [Email] · [City, Country] · [LinkedIn]
PROFILE: [Role] with [number] years of experience in [field] in [country]. [One piece of evidence]. Fluent in English and [language].
EXPERIENCE: [English job title] ([original title]), [Employer], [City, Country] — [Mon Year]–[Mon Year]
• [Past-tense verb] [what you did] for [who], [result].
EDUCATION: [Official degree name] ([English description]), [Institution], [Country] — [Year]
LANGUAGES: English — [level or test score]; [Language] — native.
- Should I translate my CV word for word?
- No. Rewrite it in English using short bullets. Word-for-word translation keeps the sentence structure of your language, which reads as unnatural in English.
- How do I write my English level on a CV?
- Use a clear level (native, fluent, professional working proficiency, intermediate) or a test result such as IELTS or TOEFL with the score and year.
- Is a CV in English different from a US resume?
- The language is the same, but conventions differ: a US resume is usually one page with no photo or personal details, while a CV for Europe, the Gulf or Asia may include more. Follow the country and employer.
For the full section order, see how to write a CV. Sending it by email? Use the CV email guide. Build the English version in the resume builder.
