7 tips for CV format and design

There are a lot of CV templates out there. Read my 7 tips to help you choose or create one.

  1. Make sure your CV has a clear and simple structure. Use section headings and good use of spacing to break up big chunks of text and help the reader navigate through the pages so they can skim your CV quickly picking out important information.

  2. Do not use columns or text boxes and avoid large blocks of texts that become boring to read. Make sure you are not wasting space with large margins and poorly structured contact details.

  3. Choose professional, clear and easy to read fonts such Arial or Times New Roman. Use a font size between 10 and 12 to make sure that potential employers can read it easily. Ensure all fonts and sizes are consistent throughout.

  4. List everything in reverse chronological order so the recruiter sees your work history and most recent achievements first.

  5. Keep it concise by using bullet points.

  6. Bold and italics should be used sparingly on a CV. Bold for section headings and italics for job titles is a good way of breaking up the text making it easier to read. Don’t use bold to highlight key words

  7. Remember to name the file with your own name, such as "Jo_Bloggs_CV.doc", and never just "CV.doc".

I’ve helped 100’s of people create and improve their CV’s. Would you like some help and advice then please get in touch with me and I’d love to help.

career adviceTanya BermanCV