6 Professional CV Formatting Recommendations

Professional CV formatting is crucial for creating an effective CV. Without proper formatting, you might miss out on a great job opportunity.

Use a Simple Professional CV Format

The key principle of effective CV formatting is to keep it SIMPLE. Opt for basic yet modern fonts like Times New Roman, Helvetica, Arial, or Century Gothic. A font size between 10 and 12 with consistent spacing between words and lines is preferred by readers. You can use a different font and a size 2 points larger for your name. Highlight your resume headline/sub-header and the companies you've worked for, but keep it simple and consistent.

Use of GRAPHICS

Be thoughtful and cautious when using infographics, images, icons, videos (digital CV or link), or presentations (digital CV or link). While these elements are effective and attention-grabbing, plan their usage carefully. Creative professionals, such as graphic designers, should use their expertise in CV design. Remember, your CV reflects who you are, both professionally and personally. Note that ATS systems often struggle with images, charts, diagrams, and colors, which can complicate data processing. Use graphs or charts when you hand your CV directly to the interviewer.

KEYWORD Utilization in CV Formatting

Your CV should be tailored for the reader. Adapting words to optimize your CV for ATS searches is common and highly recommended. For example, in a sales CV, include words like "targets," "presentations," "negotiation," "sales," etc. Similarly, for digital marketing CVs, include terms like "SEO," "backlinks," "links," "content," "SEM," and "analytics," as recruiters often use related terms. Use industry/product/service/education-specific words several times.

Highlight Your Contact Information

Your home address isn't necessary, but your city, mobile number, email address, and social media profiles (if desired) are essential. For instance, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter handle, etc. These should be prominently placed near your name at the top of the first page. Ensure HR can easily find your contact details to avoid missing interview calls.

Other Key Formatting Points

1. DO NOT center-align any text (except perhaps your name and contact details on the first page).

2. Keep everything in the same FONT and SIZE. Your name can be a few points larger.

3. You can BOLD your company name and position.

4. Use CAPS sparingly.

5. Maximize BULLET POINTS. Work experience can include 8-12 bullet points, each on one line (recommended) or a maximum of 2 lines. Choose your words carefully.

6. Use consistent SPACING between lines, jobs, and sections.

7. Use DIGITS for numbers.

8. SPELL CHECK is crucial. Avoid having others correct your spelling. Tools like GRAMMARLY, a free spelling and grammar tool, are recommended for every word and sentence.

Get Help From a Professional

It is becoming increasingly common to seek professional assistance in designing and preparing your CV. While most candidates have traditionally created their own CVs, the trend is shifting towards hiring professional CV writers due to a high volume of rejections or lack of responses.