CV examples - free to browse for 12 roles and situations
Get inspired by real CV examples. Browse the 8 templates, read tips per profession, then build your own CV. Free to create, €2 to download.
Why looking at a CV example helps
A blank CV is hard to start. An example shows you which sections belong where, what strong bullets look like, and which tone recruiters expect in your sector. On this page you'll find tips for 6 professions and 4 specific situations - plus all 8 templates. Want to know how to build a CV from scratch first? Read our step-by-step build-a-CV guide.
8 templates you can use right away
Each template is tested with major HR systems (Workday, Greenhouse, Lever). Click through to the templates gallery for a full preview of each design.
Open the template gallery →CV examples by profession
Per role, recruiters know what they want to see. Below the 6 most-requested profiles - what belongs on each, and what to watch out for.
CV example: marketing manager
For marketing, impact in numbers wins. Recruiters scan for conversion rates, campaign results and team-lead size. Strong bullets contain a metric: '34% conversion lift', 'team of 6', '€2.1M ARR target hit'. Avoid buzzwords without evidence like 'data-driven' or 'creative'.
Key skills: SEO, SEA, marketing automation (HubSpot, Marketo), Google Analytics, A/B testing, content strategy, stakeholder management.
CV example: IT professional / software developer
For IT, a well-structured Skills section is most important. Split by languages, frameworks, tools and methodologies. Seniors: link to GitHub or portfolio. Bullets focus on impact: 'reduced load time from 4s to 1.2s', 'migrated monolith to microservices for 20+ teams'.
Key skills: programming languages (TypeScript, Python, Go), frameworks (React, Next.js, Django), cloud (AWS, GCP), DevOps (Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD), databases (PostgreSQL, Redis).
CV example: nurse / healthcare
For healthcare, human involvement plus hard numbers matter. Mention BIG-registration, certifications (ICU, oncology, geriatrics) and healthcare volunteering. Strong bullets: 'cared for 8-12 patients daily on surgery ward', 'mentored 3 nursing interns'.
Key skills: BIG-registration, specialty (ICU, OR, maternity, geriatrics), EHR (Hix, ChipSoft, Epic), medication safety, patient communication.
CV example: sales / account manager
Sales CVs are a numbers show. Target attainment, quota overachievement, deal size and account portfolio. Strong bullets: '112% of quota achieved (€2.4M ARR)', '14 new enterprise accounts won in FY24'. Add a 'Sales Stats' block if you have consistent performance.
Key skills: CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot), prospecting, MEDDIC/SPIN, contract negotiation, key account management, forecasting.
CV example: project manager
For PM, scope, budget and team size per project count. Mention certifications (PRINCE2, PMP, Agile/Scrum), managed budgets and delivery timelines. Strong bullets: 'led €2.8M ERP implementation in 14 months, delivered 3 weeks ahead of deadline, under budget'.
Key skills: PRINCE2/PMP/Agile, Jira/Asana/Monday, stakeholder management, risk management, budget control, change management.
CV example: administrative assistant
For admin roles, employers look for accuracy and efficiency gains. Mention software packages, error rates and time savings. Strong bullets: 'processed 180 invoices per week with 0% error rate', 'streamlined procurement, saved 4 hours per week'.
Key skills: MS Office (Excel advanced), Exact/AFAS/Twinfield, Outlook/calendar management, reporting, customer communication, note-taking.
Ready to build your own CV?
Start free. No account, no ads. Pay only when you want to download.
CV examples by situation
Not every candidate has a straight line on their CV. Below four common situations with specific tips.
CV example: no work experience (starter)
No work experience? Lead with education at the top, followed by projects, internships, side jobs and volunteering. Show what you learned instead of what you did. Strong bullets: 'project lead student association with 80 members', 'built portfolio of 5 React apps during minor'. Keep it to 1 page.
CV example: career switcher
When switching sectors, your profile summary is critical. Explain in 2 sentences why you're switching and which transferable skills you bring. Under work experience: translate old bullets to what matters in the new sector. Avoid listing technical details that don't carry over.
CV example: 50+ candidates
Experience is an asset. Limit work history to the last 15-20 years - anything older doesn't belong on your CV. Leave out date of birth; photo stays optional. Add recent training, certifications or online courses to show you stay current. Senior roles need a strong summary up top.
CV example: international (English)
For international applications: use our English version (language switch top-right). Avoid NL-specific abbreviations like HAVO, MBO, HBO or WO - write them out. For Dutch companies, add a short description ('Tier-1 Dutch tech scale-up'). For US/UK: no date of birth, no photo. For Germany: photo expected.
How do you use a CV example?
Copying an example gives you a generic CV that recruiters spot instantly. Better: use it as a building block. Look at the structure, borrow the tone of bullets, but fill them with your own work. Our AI bullet generator helps you do this: paste your work description, get 3 strong variants with measurable results.
- Look at minimum 3 examples within your sector before you start
- Pay attention to structure, not the exact words
- Replace every generic bullet with one containing numbers from your work
- Test the final result with our ATS-friendly templates
FAQ about CV examples
Can I copy a CV example word-for-word?▾
No. Recruiters spot copied CVs instantly, and they say nothing about you. Use examples as inspiration for structure and tone, but fill them with your own experience, projects and results.
Which sections must every CV example have?▾
Personal details, profile summary, work experience (reverse chronological), education, skills and languages. Hobbies and certifications are optional - only include if relevant to the role.
Which CV example fits me best?▾
For formal sectors (government, banks, law): pick a classic template like 'Executive Pro' or 'Corporate'. For tech, creative and startups: 'Modern' or 'Nordic'. For general use: 'Classic' or 'ATS Pro'. When in doubt: choose ATS Pro - works for 90% of roles.
How do I make my CV ATS-friendly from an example?▾
Our 8 templates are all ATS-tested. Also: use standard section names (Experience, Education), avoid tables and graphics, choose a readable font, and keep all text as text (no images). Our builder does this automatically.
Do you have examples for specific professions?▾
Above you'll find tips for 6 in-demand professions (marketing, IT, healthcare, sales, project management, admin) and 4 specific situations. Separate per-profession example pages are coming soon.
What if I have no work experience?▾
No problem. Lead with education, add a 'Projects' section (study, volunteer and personal projects), and list internships and side jobs under work experience. Recruiters for entry-level look at learning ability and growth mindset, not job titles.
How many pages should a CV be?▾
Starters and 0-10 years experience: 1 page. Seniors with 10+ years relevant experience: max 2 pages. Three pages or more is almost never needed in the Netherlands, not even for executive roles.
Can I include a photo on my CV example?▾
In the Netherlands, a photo is optional. Many recruiters advise leaving it off to avoid unconscious bias. In Germany and Belgium, a photo is more common. For customer-facing roles (sales, reception, hospitality), a photo can help.
Build your own CV - free
You have inspiration. Now build. €0 to create, €2 to download, free cover letter included.
Build my CV →