- Use strong action verbs (led, delivered, achieved) rather than passive phrases (was responsible for).
- Quantify achievements wherever possible: "increased sales by 30%" beats "improved sales".
- A cover letter should be 3–4 paragraphs on one page — make your strongest point in the first paragraph.
- Match the English variety (British or American) to the employer's location for consistency.
- A personal statement at the top of your CV gives recruiters your professional identity in 3–4 sentences.
Writing a job application in English is one of the most important writing tasks you will face as a professional. Your CV and cover letter are often the first thing a potential employer sees — and they must make a strong impression in seconds. This guide walks you through every section with clear templates, vocabulary lists, and professional phrases you can adapt immediately.
1. CV Structure and Key Sections
A standard British CV typically includes the following sections in this order:
- Personal Statement / Professional Profile (3–4 sentences at the top)
- Work Experience (most recent first, with bullet points of achievements)
- Education (degrees, qualifications, certifications)
- Skills (technical, language, and soft skills)
- Interests / Volunteering (optional, keep brief)
- References ("Available on request" is standard)
Keep the whole document to 2 pages maximum. Use clear, readable fonts and consistent formatting. Recruiters spend an average of 7–10 seconds on initial screening, so clarity matters enormously.
2. Action Verbs for Your CV
Replace passive phrases like "was responsible for" with strong action verbs. Group them by category:
- Leadership: led, managed, supervised, mentored, directed, coordinated, oversaw
- Achievement: achieved, delivered, exceeded, increased, reduced, generated, saved
- Creation: developed, designed, built, launched, established, created, produced
- Analysis: analysed, evaluated, researched, assessed, identified, reviewed, investigated
- Communication: presented, negotiated, advised, collaborated, liaised, trained, facilitated
- Problem-solving: resolved, streamlined, improved, restructured, implemented, optimised
Always pair an action verb with a specific result: "Streamlined the onboarding process, reducing training time by 40%." Practise these in context with the Complete the Sentence exercise on LexFizz.
Wherever possible, add numbers to your achievements: team size, budget managed, percentage improvements, revenue generated, time saved. Specific numbers are far more persuasive than vague claims and make your CV instantly memorable.
3. Writing a Personal Statement
Your personal statement (or professional summary) sits at the very top of your CV. It should be 3–4 sentences that answer: who are you professionally, what is your key strength, and what are you looking for?
Template: "[Professional identity] with [X years] of experience in [field/sector]. Specialising in [key strength]. Track record of [notable achievement]. Seeking a [type of role] where I can [contribution]."
Example: "Results-driven marketing manager with eight years of experience in the technology sector. Specialising in content strategy and demand generation. Consistent track record of exceeding pipeline targets by 20–30% year on year. Seeking a senior leadership role where I can build and develop high-performing marketing teams."
4. Cover Letter Structure and Phrases
A cover letter has four paragraphs:
- Opening: State the role, where you saw it, and your strongest credential. "I am writing to apply for the [role] advertised on [platform]. With [key experience], I am confident I can [contribution]."
- Why you: Highlight 2–3 specific achievements relevant to the job requirements. Use STAR examples (see our guide to English for Job Interviews).
- Why this company: Show you have researched the employer. "I am particularly drawn to [company] because of your commitment to [value/project/initiative]."
- Closing: "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience can contribute to your team. Thank you for considering my application."
Sign off: "Yours sincerely," (if you addressed the person by name) or "Yours faithfully," (if you used "Dear Hiring Manager").
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Spelling and grammar errors: Proofread twice and use a spell-checker, but do not rely on it alone — it will not catch wrong words that are correctly spelled (e.g., "manger" instead of "manager").
- Generic language: Avoid "I am a hard-working, enthusiastic team player." These phrases mean nothing without evidence.
- Wrong English variety: Do not mix British and American spelling within one document.
- Including a photo: In the UK and USA, do not include a photo unless specifically requested.
- Too long: Two pages maximum for a CV. One page for a cover letter.
Practise writing and spelling key professional vocabulary with the Flash Cards and Anagram exercises. For broader business English vocabulary, read our guide to Business English Phrases.
Build Your Business Vocabulary
Free interactive exercises to drill the vocabulary you need for job applications and interviews.
Start Flash Cards →6. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a CV and a resume?
In British English, "CV" (Curriculum Vitae) is used for all job applications. In American English, "resume" is standard and is typically shorter (1–2 pages). CVs in the UK and Europe can be 2–3 pages. When applying internationally, check which format the employer expects.
What action verbs should I use on an English CV?
Strong CV action verbs include: managed, led, developed, delivered, implemented, achieved, increased, reduced, coordinated, analysed, designed, presented, negotiated, built, launched, streamlined. Always use past tense for previous roles and present tense for your current position. Pair each verb with a specific result.
How do I start a cover letter in English?
If you know the name: "Dear Ms Johnson," / If you don't: "Dear Hiring Manager,". First paragraph: state the role and where you saw it, and give one compelling reason you're a strong candidate: "I am writing to apply for the Marketing Manager position advertised on LinkedIn. With seven years of B2B marketing experience, I am confident I can drive growth for your team."
How do I describe my skills on an English CV?
Use bullet points with specific, measurable language: "Managed a £500k annual marketing budget" rather than "responsible for marketing budget". Group skills into sections: Technical Skills, Languages, Soft Skills. For language skills, use CEFR levels (A1–C2) or exam results (IELTS 7.0). Avoid vague terms like "good communicator" without evidence.
What phrases work well in a cover letter closing paragraph?
Strong closing phrases: "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience can contribute to your team." / "I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience." / "Thank you for considering my application." End formally: "Yours sincerely" (if you know the name) or "Yours faithfully" (if you used "Dear Hiring Manager").
How long should an English cover letter be?
A cover letter should be no longer than one A4 page — ideally three to four paragraphs. Structure: (1) Why you're writing and what role you want. (2) Why you're the right candidate (2–3 specific achievements). (3) Why you want this company. (4) Closing and call to action. Make your strongest point early.
What should I include in my personal statement on a CV?
A personal statement is 3–4 sentences at the top of your CV. Include: your professional identity, your key strength, and what you're looking for. Example: "Results-driven software engineer with 6 years of experience in fintech. Specialising in backend development and cloud infrastructure. Seeking a senior role where I can lead technical teams."
How do I list my English language skills on a CV?
Be specific: list the language, your level using CEFR (A1–C2), and any official exam results: "English: C1 (IELTS Academic 7.5)". If English is your native language, write "Native" or "Mother tongue". Avoid vague terms like "basic" or "fluent" without a CEFR reference.
What are the most common mistakes on English CVs?
Common mistakes: (1) Spelling and grammar errors — always proofread twice. (2) Using passive voice — "was responsible for" instead of "managed". (3) Not quantifying achievements. (4) Including a photo unless requested (especially for UK/US applications). (5) Making the CV longer than 2 pages without a strong reason.
Should I use British or American English in my job application?
Match the English variety to the company's location: use British English (organised, colour, CV) for UK employers, and American English (organized, color, resume) for US companies. The key is consistency — do not mix varieties within the same document. When in doubt, British English is generally acceptable globally.