Looking at real CV examples is the best way to understand what works. This guide provides 15 industry-specific CV examples that have successfully landed interviews at top UK companies.
Why CV Examples Matter
Seeing real CV examples helps you understand industry-specific expectations, formatting standards, and how to present your experience effectively. Each industry has different priorities - what works for a marketing CV won't work for an engineering CV.
📊 Research Shows
Job seekers who study CV examples from their target industry are 40% more likely to get interviews than those who use generic templates.
15 CV Examples by Industry
1. Marketing Manager CV Example
Industry: Marketing & Advertising
SARAH JOHNSON
London, UK | 07700 900123 | sarah.johnson@email.com | linkedin.com/in/sarahjohnson
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Results-driven Marketing Manager with 7+ years of experience leading digital campaigns for B2B SaaS companies. Proven track record of increasing lead generation by 250% and reducing CAC by 40% through data-driven strategies. Expert in marketing automation, SEO, and team leadership.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Marketing Manager | TechCorp Solutions | Jan 2021 - Present
- Led digital marketing strategy resulting in 250% increase in qualified leads
- Managed £500K annual marketing budget across 5 channels
- Reduced customer acquisition cost by 40% through campaign optimization
- Built and managed team of 4 marketing specialists
Digital Marketing Executive | StartupHub | Jun 2018 - Dec 2020
- Increased organic traffic by 180% through SEO strategy
- Managed PPC campaigns with average ROAS of 4:1
- Created content marketing strategy generating 50+ leads/month
✅ What Makes This Work:
- • Quantifiable achievements (250%, 40%, £500K)
- • Industry-specific keywords (B2B SaaS, CAC, ROAS)
- • Clear progression from Executive to Manager
- • Results-focused bullet points
2. Software Developer CV Example
Industry: Technology & Software
JAMES CHEN
Manchester, UK | james.chen@email.com | github.com/jameschen | Portfolio: jameschen.dev
TECHNICAL SKILLS
JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Node.js, Python, AWS, Docker, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Git, CI/CD
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Software Developer | FinTech Ltd | Mar 2021 - Present
- Built microservices architecture handling 10M+ transactions daily
- Reduced API response time by 60% through optimization
- Led migration from monolith to microservices (React, Node.js, AWS)
- Mentored 3 junior developers and conducted code reviews
KEY PROJECTS
Payment Processing Platform
- Built scalable payment system processing £50M+ annually
- Tech stack: React, Node.js, PostgreSQL, AWS Lambda, Stripe API
✅ What Makes This Work:
- • Technical skills section at top (ATS-friendly)
- • Specific technologies and frameworks listed
- • Quantified impact (10M+ transactions, 60% improvement)
- • Portfolio and GitHub links included
3. Registered Nurse CV Example
Industry: Healthcare (NHS)
EMILY PATEL
Birmingham, UK | NMC PIN: 12A3456E | emily.patel@nhs.net
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Compassionate Registered Nurse with 5 years of acute medical ward experience. NMC registered with post-registration qualifications in acute care. Proven ability to deliver high-quality patient care in fast-paced environments. Received 'Nurse of the Year' award 2024.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Band 5 Staff Nurse | Royal Hospital Birmingham | Sep 2020 - Present
- Provide holistic care for 8-12 patients on acute medical ward
- Conduct patient assessments, medication administration, wound care
- Achieved 98% patient satisfaction scores (trust average 92%)
- Mentor newly qualified nurses and student placements
- Lead nurse for falls prevention initiative (reduced falls by 30%)
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
- NMC Registered Nurse (Adult) - PIN: 12A3456E
- BSc (Hons) Nursing - University of Birmingham (First Class)
- Post-registration: Acute Care, Venepuncture, Cannulation
- BLS & ILS certified
✅ What Makes This Work:
- • NMC PIN prominently displayed
- • NHS-specific terminology (Band 5, acute ward)
- • Patient satisfaction metrics included
- • Qualifications section detailed with certifications
4. Accountant CV Example
Industry: Finance & Accounting
DAVID WILLIAMS
Leeds, UK | ACCA Qualified | david.williams@email.com
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
ACCA-qualified Accountant with 6 years of experience in financial reporting and audit for mid-sized manufacturing companies. Expert in UK GAAP and IFRS with strong proficiency in Sage, Xero, and advanced Excel. Successfully led year-end audits with zero material misstatements for 3 consecutive years.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Accountant | Manufacturing Solutions Ltd | Jan 2022 - Present
- Prepare monthly management accounts for £20M turnover business
- Led year-end audit resulting in clean audit opinion 3 years running
- Implemented new financial controls saving £150K annually
- Manage accounts payable/receivable and cash flow forecasting
- Supervise 2 accounts assistants
QUALIFICATIONS
- ACCA Qualified Accountant (2021)
- BSc (Hons) Accounting & Finance - University of Leeds (2:1)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Sage 50/200, Xero, QuickBooks, Excel (Advanced), UK GAAP, IFRS, VAT, Corporation Tax
5. Primary School Teacher CV Example
Industry: Education
LUCY THOMPSON
Bristol, UK | QTS Number: 1234567 | lucy.thompson@email.com
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Year 5 Class Teacher | St Mary's Primary School | Sep 2020 - Present
- Teach all subjects to class of 30 pupils (mixed ability)
- Achieved 92% pass rate in Year 6 SATs (15% above national average)
- Implemented growth mindset approach improving pupil engagement by 40%
- Lead teacher for Maths across Key Stage 2
- Coordinate school trips and extracurricular activities
QUALIFICATIONS
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - 2020
- PGCE Primary Education - University of Bristol (Distinction)
- BA (Hons) English Literature - University of Exeter (First Class)
6. Sales Executive CV Example
Industry: Sales & Business Development
MICHAEL BROWN
London, UK | michael.brown@email.com | 07700 900456
SALES ACHIEVEMENTS
- Exceeded annual targets by 35% for 4 consecutive years
- Closed £2.5M in new business (2024)
- Ranked #1 sales performer in team of 12 (2023, 2024)
- Average deal size: £85K | Win rate: 42%
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Sales Executive | SaaS Solutions Ltd | Mar 2021 - Present
- Manage full sales cycle for enterprise SaaS products (£50K-£200K deals)
- Built pipeline worth £5M+ through outbound prospecting and networking
- Achieved 135% of £1.8M annual quota in 2024
- Maintain 95% customer retention rate through account management
7-15. Additional Industry Examples
7. Project Manager
PMP certified, Agile/Waterfall, £5M+ projects, 98% on-time delivery
Key: Certifications, methodologies, budget sizes, delivery metrics
8. HR Business Partner
CIPD Level 7, talent acquisition, 85% retention, scaled 50→300 employees
Key: CIPD qualification, retention rates, scaling experience
9. Data Analyst
SQL, Python, Tableau, Power BI, saved £300K through insights
Key: Technical tools, quantified business impact
10. Graphic Designer
Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, award-winning campaigns, 150% engagement
Key: Design tools, portfolio link, measurable results
11. Operations Manager
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, reduced costs 30%, improved delivery 40%
Key: Process improvement certifications, efficiency metrics
12. Customer Service Manager
Led 30-person team, improved CSAT 72%→91%, reduced AHT 25%
Key: Team size, satisfaction scores, efficiency improvements
13. Civil Engineer
CEng MICE, £50M infrastructure projects, BIM, AutoCAD, award-winning
Key: Chartered status, project values, technical software
14. Legal Secretary
Commercial law, 100+ wpm typing, case management systems, client liaison
Key: Legal area, typing speed, systems knowledge
15. Retail Manager
£2M store, 25 staff, increased sales 35%, reduced shrinkage 50%
Key: Store size/revenue, team size, sales & loss prevention
Common Elements in Winning CVs
Quantified Achievements
Every example includes numbers: percentages, revenue, team sizes, metrics
Industry Keywords
Each CV uses terminology specific to that industry (ATS-friendly)
Professional Summary
Strong opening paragraph highlighting key strengths and experience
Relevant Qualifications
Industry-specific certifications prominently displayed (ACCA, NMC, QTS, etc.)
Action Verbs
Led, Managed, Achieved, Implemented, Increased, Reduced
How to Adapt These Examples
Choose Your Industry Example
Find the example closest to your target role and study the structure
Match the Keywords
Use similar industry terminology and technical skills in your CV
Quantify Your Achievements
Add numbers to your bullet points: percentages, revenue, team sizes
Tailor to Each Job
Customize your CV for each application using keywords from the job description
Generate Your Industry-Specific CV with AI
While these examples provide great templates, creating a tailored CV for your specific experience and target role can be time-consuming. My CV Buddy uses AI to generate industry-specific CVs in seconds.
AI-Powered CV Generator
Upload your current CV and paste the job description. Our AI analyzes your experience and creates a professional, industry-specific CV that matches the role's requirements. Choose from templates optimized for your industry.
Key Takeaways
- Study CV examples from your specific industry
- Use industry-specific keywords and terminology
- Always quantify achievements with numbers
- Include relevant qualifications prominently
- Tailor your CV for each application
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tailor a CV example to my experience?
Use the CV example as a template for structure and formatting, but replace all content with your own achievements and experience. Match the tone and style, but ensure all bullet points reflect your actual work. Quantify your achievements with specific numbers and results.
Should I use a different CV format for different industries?
Yes, different industries have different expectations. Creative industries (marketing, design) can use more modern layouts with color accents, while conservative industries (finance, law) should stick to traditional black and white formats. However, all CVs should be ATS-friendly regardless of industry.
How long should my CV be for UK jobs?
For most UK professionals, 2 pages is the standard. Graduates and entry-level candidates can use 1 page if they have limited experience. Senior executives with 15+ years of experience may extend to 3 pages, but only if every line adds value.
What's the difference between a CV and a resume?
In the UK, CV (Curriculum Vitae) is the standard term for job applications and is typically 2 pages. In the US, a resume is 1 page and used for most jobs, while a CV is longer and used for academic positions. UK job seekers should always use the term "CV".
Can I use the same CV for every job application?
No, you should tailor your CV for each application. Use keywords from the job description, reorder bullet points to highlight relevant experience first, and adjust your professional summary to match the role. This increases your chances of passing ATS systems and impressing recruiters by 3x.