A CV has one job: to make someone decide, in seconds, that you are worth reading properly.
What it needs
- Name and contact. A phone number with WhatsApp and a professional email address.
- Location. Parish, and whether you are on Antigua or Barbuda.
- Experience. Employer, role, dates and what you actually did.
- Qualifications. CSEC, CAPE, degrees, professional bodies.
- Certifications, with validity dates where relevant.
- Languages, given the European visitor market.
What to leave out
Social Security number, medical benefit number, marital status, number of children, date of birth. None of it helps the decision — and note that some employers request those numbers on their own forms at the hiring stage, which is where they belong.
Tourism and hospitality
Guest-facing experience with named properties, property size where relevant, and service standards achieved.
Specialist training in food safety, mixology, spa services, watersports or guest relations is worth listing.
Seasonality means availability is worth stating plainly.
Marine and yachting
Certifications with validity dates — STCW, powerboat, first aid — along with vessel types and roles held. English Harbour has its own network and specific credentials matter.
Construction and trades
Trade certifications, equipment and systems, and safety record.
Professional services and public sector
Formal qualifications stated precisely with institution and year. Public sector applications tend to be structured — follow the requirements exactly.
Describe the work, not the title
"Restaurant Supervisor" says little. "Supervised a team of nine across two outlets at a 120-room resort, managed rostering and stock control, and maintained service standards through peak season" says a great deal more.
Length
One to two pages. In a small market, being specific beats being long.
Keep it current
A complete profile means employers find you in their searches. Review certification dates first — those expire.
Frequently asked questions
What should my CV include?
Name and contact, parish and island, experience with what you actually did, qualifications, certifications with validity dates, and languages given the European visitor market.
What does hospitality look for?
Guest-facing experience with named properties, property size, service standards achieved and specialist training. Availability is worth stating plainly given seasonality.
What matters in the marine sector?
Certifications with validity dates such as STCW, powerboat and first aid, along with vessel types and roles held. English Harbour has its own network.
Should I include my Social Security number?
Not on the CV. Employers request those on their own forms at the hiring stage, which is where they belong.
How long should my CV be?
One to two pages. In a small market, being specific beats being long.