CV format for Sri Lanka jobs
Start with the job advertisement, then choose the information that proves you can do the work. This simple CV format gives you a practical starting point for local job applications. Adapt the sections to your experience and follow any format requested by the employer.
Choose the order that suits your experience
For an experienced applicant, put recent relevant work before education. For a school leaver, put education, projects and activities first. Use clear headings, readable text and consistent dates. Keep the most useful information near the top; remove repeated duties and unrelated detail before reducing the font size.
A simple CV format you can copy
Copy this outline into your document editor and replace every bracketed field. Delete sections that do not apply. This is an editable outline, not an official government application form.
[Full name]
[Target job title]
[Town, Sri Lanka] | [Phone] | [Professional email]
PROFILE
[Two or three lines about your relevant experience, skills and target role.]
WORK EXPERIENCE
[Job title] — [Employer, location]
[Month/year – Month/year or Present]
• [What you did, using which tools or processes.]
• [A result or responsibility you can explain at interview.]
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
[Qualification] — [Institution], [Year]
[Relevant subjects, results or training; identify pending results.]
SKILLS
[Specific tools, practical skills and languages with honest proficiency.]
PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES
[Relevant project, voluntary work or responsibility and your contribution.]
REFERENCES
[Add only when requested, with each referee's permission.] Worked example: retail assistant
This fictional example demonstrates specific wording. Use your own experience and results; do not copy the applicant details as your own.
Nimali Perera — Retail Assistant
Kandy, Sri Lanka | [Phone] | [Email]
PROFILE
Retail assistant with experience serving customers, using a point-of-sale system and replenishing stock. Seeking a customer-facing role where careful cash handling and clear communication are useful.
EXPERIENCE
Retail Assistant — Example Store, Kandy
January 2024 – August 2026
• Processed purchases and returns using the store's point-of-sale system.
• Checked deliveries against stock records and reported discrepancies.
• Helped customers compare products and locate items.
EDUCATION
GCE A/L — [School], [Year and actual results]
SKILLS
Cash handling; stock checking; point-of-sale software
Sinhala: fluent | English: conversational What to include and what to leave out
- Use a phone number and email address you check regularly. A town or district is usually enough for the initial CV unless the employer requests a full address.
- Describe skills with evidence. Replace “hardworking team player” with a specific responsibility or project.
- Use the qualification names, employment dates and job titles that match your records.
- Follow the advert on photos and personal details. Avoid adding identity numbers or unrelated family information by default.
- If an employer supplies an application form, complete it as instructed. A CV does not automatically replace that form.
Before sending your CV
- Match your profile and the order of your skills to the vacancy without inventing experience.
- Check spelling, dates, contact details and any remaining placeholder text.
- Use the file type requested by the employer. If you send a PDF, check that its text is selectable and the layout opens correctly on a phone.
- Use a clear filename such as Nimali-Perera-Retail-Assistant-CV.pdf.
- Read the email subject, attachment and deadline instructions in the vacancy.
Frequently asked questions
Are CV, resume and curriculum vitae different formats here?
For an ordinary job application, begin with the same clear employment document and follow the employer’s instructions. An academic CV can require a longer record of research, publications and teaching.
Can I use this format after A/Ls?
Yes. Move education above work experience and use school projects, voluntary work or activities to show relevant skills. Use the student guide for a worked example.
Want help preparing your CV?
BiodataNow provides a guided CV-writing service through WhatsApp. Send your existing CV or rough notes and explain the role you are applying for.