In this guide, you'll learn:

• What makes a good CV in these countries
• Where to find free templates
• How to write your CV step by step 
• Mistakes to avoid
• Bonus tips to get noticed

Let’s get started!

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✅ What is a CV or Resume?

A CV or Resume is a paper (or file) that shows your:

• Work experience
• Education
• Skills
• Contact information

In the UK and Canada, people say CV
In the USA, they often say Resume
But both mean the same thing for job applications.

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✅ What Employers in the UK, USA & Canada Want to See

Your CV should be:

• Simple and clean
• Short (1–2 pages)
• No photo (except for specific jobs like modeling or acting)
• Clear and honest
• Easy to read

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Sections You Must Include

Here's the basic CV format you should follow:

1. Contact Information

At the top:

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Your Name 

Email: yourname@email.com 

Phone: +94 7X XXX XXXX 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourname (if available) 

Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka (or your current city)

2. Professional Summary (2–3 lines)

A short intro about you.
Example:

"Experienced Accountant with 5+ years in financial reporting and budgeting. Skilled in Excel, QuickBooks, and client management."

3. Work Experience

List your jobs (latest first):

Job Title – Company Name 

Location | Month Year – Month Year  

• Your duties or achievements 

• Use action words: Managed, Created, Delivered 

4. Education

Degree Name – University Name 

Location | Year 

5. Skills

List 6–10 skills:

MS Excel, QuickBooks, Teamwork, Time Management, English Writing, Data Entry

6. Certificates (optional)

Add things like:

Google Digital Marketing – 2023 

IELTS Band 7 – 2024 

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Where to Get Free CV Templates (UK, USA, Canada Style)

Here are website where you can download free CV templates:

Free CV Templates : https://profession.lk/cv-templates

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Sample CV Template (UK/USA/Canada Style)

[Your Name]

Email: your@email.com | Phone: +94 XXXXXXXXX | City, Country

Professional Summary:

Motivated Sales Executive with 3+ years of experience in customer service, sales conversion, and CRM tools. Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Work Experience:

Sales Executive – ABC Pvt Ltd, Colombo 

Jan 2021 – Mar 2024 

• Managed a team of 5 sales reps 

• Increased sales by 25% in 2023 

• Handled over 100 customer calls weekly

Customer Service Assistant – XYZ Call Center 

Jun 2019 – Dec 2020 

• Resolved customer issues efficiently 

• Trained 2 new team members 

Education:

BBA – University of Colombo 

Graduated: 2018

Skills:

• Communication 

• MS Office 

• CRM Software (Zoho) 

• Time Management 

Certifications:

• IELTS – Band 7.5 (2023) 

• Digital Marketing – Google (2022)

 

UK Sample CV

Name: John Smith
Phone: +44 7123 456789
Email: john.smith@email.com
Location: London, UK
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith
Nationality: British
Work Eligibility: Eligible to work in the UK

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Personal Statement

A results-driven marketing professional with over 6 years of experience in digital marketing, campaign management, and brand strategy. Proven ability to increase engagement and drive revenue through data-led initiatives. Seeking a marketing role in a forward-thinking organisation where I can contribute creativity and analytical skills.

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Work Experience

Marketing Manager
ABC Marketing Solutions, London
March 2021 – Present

• Led digital marketing campaigns that increased web traffic by 40% in 12 months

• Managed a £250,000 annual budget, ensuring all campaigns delivered strong ROI

• Supervised a team of 4 marketers and 2 interns

• Created SEO strategies that improved search ranking from page 3 to page 1 on Google

Digital Marketing Executive
XYZ Digital Ltd, Manchester
June 2018 – Feb 2021

• Ran Facebook and Google Ads campaigns with a 12% average conversion rate

• Developed monthly content plans for social media and blogs

• Analysed campaign performance and presented data-driven insights to senior stakeholders

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Education

BA (Hons) Marketing & Advertising
University of Leeds
Graduated: 2018

• Final Year Project: “The Future of Digital Advertising in the UK”

• Modules: Consumer Behaviour, Market Research, Branding

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Skills

• SEO & PPC Advertising

• Google Analytics & SEMrush

• Campaign Strategy

• Email Marketing (Mailchimp)

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign)

• Strong written & verbal communication

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Certifications

• Google Ads Certified – Search & Display

• HubSpot Content Marketing Certification

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Languages

• English – Native

• French – Intermediate

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Download here

❌ Mistakes You Must Avoid

• ❌ Spelling and grammar errors
• ❌ Using too much design or colors
• ❌ Writing long paragraphs
• ❌ Including personal info (date of birth, marital status – not needed)
• ❌ Lying about skills or jobs

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Bonus: Tips to Get More Job Offers

✅ Customize your CV for each job
✅ Use strong action words (Managed, Led, Built, Improved)
✅ Add numbers: “Increased sales by 30%”
✅ Keep layout clean and fonts professional
✅ Save and send your CV as PDF (unless asked otherwise)
✅ Include a Cover Letter when possible

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Extra Tools You Can Use (Free)

• Grammarly – Fix grammar mistakes
• Canva – Design resumes
• LinkedIn – Build your profile for jobs
• Jobscan.co – Check if your CV matches the job

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Final Words for You

A strong CV is your ticket to getting a job in the UK, USA, or Canada. Use simple formats, clear language, and show your best skills.

You don’t need to pay money for a professional resume. Just follow this guide, use the free tools, and you’re ready to apply like a pro.