The layout of a CV should not be neglected if one wishes to be selected for an interview. It is obviously one of the factors allowing me to stand out from other candidates. We speak of a good layout when the design is at the service of the content. The purpose of a good CV design is to highlight the content of the CV.
The layout of the perfect CV should: catch the recruiter’s attention and highlight the content.
How to make an excellent layout for a resume
Achieving a good CV layout is not that complicated: you just need to follow a few rules and choose an original CV template.
Prepare a catchy header
The resume header is the top section of it that includes your marital status. Make sure he has all the relevant information. It must include your:
- First and last name
- Email address
- Phone number
- LinkedIn profile
- Address
Your contact details must be easily visible: the recruiter must not look for them if he wants to contact you: they must be obvious to him.
Choose the best CV fonts
Comic Sans, Papyrus, Neuland Inline… None of these should appear on your resume even if you opt for a creative resume layout. So you ask yourself: So what, which CV font to use? There are many answers to this question.
All the fonts you can choose from have one thing in common: they are both simple and readable. Your CV is a professional document, so don’t spoil it with a hard-to-read font, which will cause the recruiter not to read it in detail.
Also, you need to find the right balance between font size and document length. Do not use a lowercase font so that you can fit as much information as possible on a single page.
For body text, use font size 11 to 12 points. For section headings, use 2 to 4 point larger fonts.
The importance of keywords
Your CV should imperatively contain many keywords. Many companies use ATS. These are robots that perform the first sorting among the CVs. How do they sort them?
Keyword research! It is therefore essential to place them in all titles. For example, it is essential to name the section talking about your professional career: “professional experiences”. For example, it would be awkward to give a section the title “my life in numbers”.
Use bulleted lists (bullets-points)
Using bullets in your CV is essential: it brings clarity to your CV while giving it structure.
Bulleted lists allow the recruiter to see directly where the important information is. These are ideal for the Work Experience, Education, and Interests sections of a CV.
However, avoid using bullet points when you have given less than 3 pieces of information.
The color of the CV
Even if the primary purpose of the CV is not to look good, you still have to be careful: an aesthetic CV shows some form of quality to recruiters.
Indeed, if you have the choice between two identical CVs, you will obviously choose the most beautiful. You must therefore be careful with the choice of colors, to achieve the best possible CV.
Make it reread you!
It is very important to ask those around you to proofread your CV! This will remove any potential mistakes and look at your CV with a fresh eye: it must appeal to everyone because you do not know the recruiter’s “tastes”.
So note all the reviews of the reviewers, and any ideas for improvement they’ll give you.
Use a Free Resume Template
Laying out a resume from scratch isn’t always as easy as you think. To make sure you don’t forget anything, download one of our free resume examples.
Layout in page of the most popular CV formats
To achieve a good layout for your CV, you must choose what type of CV format you are going to achieve. There are three popular resume formats.
The Layout of a Chronological Resume
A chronological resume lists your work experience in descending chronological order, starting with your most recent position. This is the traditional resume format.
A chronological resume format typically includes the following information in this order:
- Contact information
- Catchphrase
- Professional experience
- Training
- Relevant skills
- Interests and hobbies
- Additional information
A chronological CV is a good choice for anyone whose previous jobs show a consistent and evolving career path.
For example, you can select a chronological resume format if you have spent the last few years in the same industry and each position you held was more “important” than the last.
It is also often used by people who apply for a position in the same or a similar field with the majority of their professional experience.
However, if you have several gaps in your work history, are looking to change careers, or are your professional experiences are very varied, you can consider a functional or combined CV.
The layout of a functional resume
The functional resume focuses more on relevant skills than on your previous jobs.
A functional resume format typically includes the following information in this order:
- Information contact
- Hook sentence
- Summary of relevant skills
- Professional experience
- Training
- Center of interests and leisure
A functional curriculum vitae is preferable if you have several gaps in your “professional experience” section, if you change careers with little or no experience in the industry in which you are applying or if you re-enter the labor market after a long pause.
See also: Chronological CV and functional CV, 2 types of successful CVs
The layout of a combined CV
A combined CV is a mix of chronological and functional CV types. The layout of this CV highlights both your professional experience and your skills relevant to the job sought.
A combined CV format usually includes the following information in this order:
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- Contact information
- Hook sentence
- Professional experience
- Summary of the most relevant skills
The Combined CV, a more flexible format, allows you to list your skills or your professional experience according to what you consider most important for the ext.
For example, if you have many unique skills that are particularly valuable for the industry you are applying to work in, you may want to consider listing them above your work experience.
It can also be helpful to look for clues to understand what is most important to the employer about the ideal candidate.