Article contents
Searching for "CV example" returns hundreds of identical templates. Yet a nurse's, a developer's and a sales associate's CVs are not built the same way: what the recruiter wants to check first is different. This guide presents six fictional profiles, with what goes at the top, the proof to provide and the common pitfalls for each.
The people and companies mentioned are imaginary illustrations. Use them as outlines, not as text to copy.
The common principle: show what reassures first
Whatever the field, a recruiter is trying to reduce risk. In a hospital, it is safety and qualifications. In a startup, it is learning speed and shipped projects. In sales, it is measurable results. Ask yourself: what worry must my CV dispel in five seconds?
1. Registered nurse
Put at the top: degree, registration or licence number depending on the country, specialties, types of wards.
Example experience line:
Nurse, geriatrics ward, regional university hospital (2021–2025). Care of 12 to 15 patients per shift, coordination with care assistants, follow-up of electronic care plans.
What makes the difference: the list of wards, the procedures you have mastered (complex dressings, infusions, pain management) and up-to-date mandatory training (such as basic life support). In Canada, registration with your provincial nursing regulatory body is a key piece of information; in the UK, it is your NMC registration; in the US, your state licence.
Avoid: generic qualities ("empathetic, dynamic") with no example. One sentence about a concrete situation is worth more.
2. Web developer
Put at the top: tech stack, two or three shipped projects, a working GitHub or portfolio link.
Example experience line:
Front-end developer, e-commerce agency (2022–2025). Rebuilt the checkout flow in React and TypeScript; halved mobile load time; set up regression tests with Playwright.
What makes the difference: precisely named technologies grouped by category (languages, frameworks, tools, testing), verifiable contributions, and what you have learned outside work.
Avoid: skill gauges ("React: 4 stars out of 5") and a list of forty technologies of which you have touched only half. A technical recruiter will ask about every word.
3. Electrician or maintenance technician
Put at the top: certifications (electrical, working at height, forklift), driving licence, types of installations you know.
Example experience line:
Commercial building electrician, 40-employee company (2019–2025). Installed and brought electrical panels up to code on office sites from 200 to 1,500 m². Supervised an apprentice for two years.
What makes the difference: certifications with their level and expiry date, the types of sites, the ability to read plans and work in a team. Also mention whether you can travel and whether you have a vehicle.
Avoid: a three-page CV. For technical trades, a very clear single page convinces more than a dense document.
4. Sales associate
Put at the top: revenue or targets, type of clientele, type of store.
Example experience line:
Sales associate, fashion boutique, London (2022–2025). Monthly target of $38,000 exceeded 9 months out of 12; built customer loyalty through a contact book of 250 clients; trained two new hires.
What makes the difference: measured results (even as a percentage of target), languages spoken in store, the ability to work variable hours, accuracy at the till.
Avoid: task lists ("welcoming customers, stocking shelves, cash register") with no results. They describe the job, not your contribution. Our article on describing your experience with measurable results offers formulas you can adapt.
5. Digital marketing specialist
Put at the top: channels you master (SEO, email, social media, ads), budgets managed, tools.
Example experience line:
Digital marketing specialist, B2B software publisher (2021–2025). Managed an ad budget of $4,000 per month; cut acquisition cost by 22% in six months by reworking audiences and visuals; produced 3 blog articles a week.
What makes the difference: the link between action and result, precise tools (analytics, CRM, email tools) and a portfolio of campaigns when possible.
Avoid: empty verbs ("participation in the communication strategy"). Specify what, for whom, with what effect.
6. Accounts payable accountant
Put at the top: software you master (SAP, Sage, Xero…), volumes handled, the accounting standards of the country.
Example experience line:
Accounts payable accountant, industrial SME (2018–2025). Processed 600 invoices a month, bank reconciliations, supplier follow-ups; reduced matching discrepancies by 30% through a weekly control procedure.
What makes the difference: accuracy illustrated by numbers, month-end or year-end closing, tools, and the ability to work to deadlines.
Avoid: "rigorous and organized" with no proof. Show accuracy through a fact: closings with no discrepancies, improved payment times.
What about a first job?
If you do not yet have experience in the profession, the logic stays the same: show what reassures. For a recent graduate, that means education, internships, academic projects and summer jobs, described as real experience ("cash handling and end-of-day inventory in a 60-seat restaurant"). Put education before experience if it is your strongest asset, and keep to a single page.
Summary table
| Profession | Proof no. 1 | Proof no. 2 | Recommended length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse | Degree and registration | Wards and procedures mastered | 1 to 2 pages |
| Developer | Shipped projects | Tech stack | 1 page, + portfolio |
| Electrician | Certifications | Types of sites | 1 page |
| Sales associate | Measured results | Clientele and languages | 1 page |
| Digital marketing | Campaign results | Tools mastered | 1 to 2 pages |
| Accountant | Software and volumes | Procedures and closings | 1 to 2 pages |
How to adapt these examples to your case
- Identify your "proof no. 1": degree, result, project or certification, whatever reassures first in your profession.
- Reuse the words from your target job postings to name tools and duties. Tailoring your CV to a job posting explains the approach.
- Keep the same structure: header, short summary, experience, education, skills. What is new is the content, not the organization.
- Reread with the eyes of a colleague in the field: would they describe your duties the same way?
And if your profession is not on the list?
The logic is identical: look through ten postings for the same role for what keeps coming up (tools, certifications, expected results), then ask yourself what proof you can provide for each. If you are changing fields, also read preparing your CV for a career change.
