A major part of writing your CV is the overall design. To make an impact, it has to be consistent, not necessarily filled with graphical elements. You can add some colour, change the font, add company logos or little graphics in your personal details.
But, what is the best CV format? Here are 5 tips:
Paragraphs & Bullet Points
Bullet points should be used strategically to draw attention to key achievements, contributions or specific strengths. Break up the content with short paragraphs, giving the CV some structure. Try not to list your duties, but focus on the results.
Tables & Columns
This an excellent formatting technique that can be used to reduce space. These are best used for the skills or education section.
Margins & Spacing
By default, margins are set to 2.54cm on all sides. Adjusting these will help you to use the full page, bring up content and space information evenly. It is important not to waste the space so that you can keep your CV to 2 pages.
Font Styles & Size
Experiment with the style to find one that appeals to you with Cambria being used instead of Times New Roman if you’d like a more conservative feel.
Check Grammar & Sentence Structure
This is particularly important if you are not a native English speaker. Spelling mistakes, punctuation and minor typos are things to watch out for. Be mindful that, by default, new documents are set to English (United States), which can affect the spelling of your CV. Fix this by switching to English (Ireland) or English (UK).
Bonus Tip: Maintain Consistency
Consistency is very important when writing your CV, choosing the design or formatting content. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different formatting options, so long as you remember to make the changes throughout your CV.