Even the best CV in the world can be let down by poor presentation…
A CV needs to be well-written and professionally presented to catch a recruiter’s eye. It’s your first impression, and you only get one chance to make it count. Although your formatting might change depending on your industry and the role you’re applying for, there are a few simple rules you should always follow.
We’ve already covered some great CV layout examples, but if you want the definitive guide, here’s our list of CV layout dos and don’ts.
“When it comes to a CV, first impressions count and the way you lay it out does a lot of the talking. Keep it clean, consistent and easy to scan so recruiters and hiring managers can quickly find what they need. Steer clear of clutter and remember – white space is your friend.”
Zoe King, Business Manager | Reed
What is the correct layout for a CV?
A well-structured CV allows recruiters to quickly find the information they need. The best approach is a straightforward, logical order that doesn’t distract from your experience and skills. The recommended order is:
- Contact details (your name, professional email, and phone number; home address is optional)
- Personal statement (a concise summary of who you are and what you’re seeking)
- Key skills (relevant to the job)
- Work experience (start with your most recent position and work backwards)
- Education and qualifications
- Hobbies and interests (optional, include only if they add value)
- References (either list them or write ‘Available on request’)
What should a CV look like in 2025?
A 2025 CV should be clean and easy to read, reflecting current expectations from hiring managers. Key points for a modern CV include:
- Simple formatting with no unnecessary graphics or bright colours
- Clear section headings and logical organisation
- Use of bullet points to highlight achievements
- Legible font choices and appropriate spacing
- Professional and consistent throughout
Think of your CV as a snapshot of your relevant skills and experience: if it doesn’t serve a purpose, leave it out.
What is the 7 second rule for a CV?
On average, recruiters spend only about seven seconds scanning each CV before deciding whether to continue reading. Your most important details should be easily visible and logically placed near the top.
To make the most of the 7 second window:
- Highlight key skills and achievements at the beginning
- Use clear job titles and company names
- Keep information concise and use bullet points
If your CV can pass a quick scan and still communicate your strengths, you’re in a strong position.
CV layout dos
Here’s what you should always do to make sure your CV layout is effective:
Keep it short and sweet
The most effective CVs aren’t just informative; they’re also concise. Recruiters are busy people who often have to review hundreds of applications for a single role. The key is to get straight to the most important points. Aim to take up no more than two sides of A4. This shows you can communicate effectively and respect the recruiter’s time.
Choose a professional font
A professional font ensures that your CV can be easily read and quickly scanned. Fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman are safe and standard choices. They’re clean, easy on the eyes, and won’t distract from the content of your CV. And it should go without saying, but just in case: Comic Sans is not your friend. Ever.
Present things in a logical order
Your CV should tell a clear story about your career. Use plenty of spacing, clear section headings (like ‘Work experience’, ‘Education’, and ‘Skills’), and list your experiences in reverse chronological order – with your most recent role first. This structure is what recruiters expect, making it easy for them to follow your career path and see your most recent achievements first.
Play to your strengths
Format your CV to maximise the impact of your application. For example, if you feel a lack of experience is holding you back but you have excellent qualifications, consider leading with your ‘Education’ section. If you’re changing careers, a skills based CV might be more appropriate. As long as you can relate everything back to the role in question, how you order the sections is up to you.
Use bullet points
Bullet points are your best friend when it comes to CVs. They’re a great way to draw attention to key facts, skills, and achievements. This allows a hiring manager to skim the document easily and pick out the most significant parts of your experience without having to wade through dense paragraphs. Try to quantify your achievements with numbers where possible to make them even more impactful.
Proofread, proofread, proofread
Ask someone to check for common spelling and grammar mistakes. A fresh pair of eyes can spot errors you might have missed. Small mistakes can make you look unprofessional and suggest a lack of attention to detail – not a great first impression to make on a potential employer.
Six ways to make your CV stand out
CV layout don’ts
Now for the things you should avoid at all costs.
Don’t be afraid of white space
Don’t fear the gaps. Cramming your CV with text makes it difficult to read and can overwhelm the recruiter. White space helps to break up the text and makes the document more visually appealing and easier to scan. Even if you think your CV looks a bit bare, as long as you’ve included all the relevant information and quantifiable achievements, you don’t need to worry. Remember: sometimes less is more.
Don’t try to include too much
The ideal CV should be a checklist of your most relevant accomplishments, not your life story. Tailoring your CV for each specific role is a great way to trim the fat and keep any waffle to a minimum. Focus on the experience and skills that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Don’t include irrelevant information
Before including any point in your application, ask yourself this question: ‘Will it help me get the role?’. If the answer is no, take it out. This is especially true for hobbies and interests. If they don’t demonstrate skills relevant to the job or help you stand out in a positive way, they’re just taking up valuable space that could be used for something more important.
Don’t forget your cover letter
Although it’s a separate document, your cover letter is a vital part of your application. It’s your chance to introduce yourself, explain why you’re the perfect fit for the role, and encourage the recruiter to read your CV. A great cover letter can make your CV even more powerful. Even if the application doesn’t specifically ask for one, it’s always a good idea to include it. Every extra opportunity to sell yourself should be taken.
Don’t experiment with font or margin size
You might think changing the font size is a clever way to fit your CV onto two pages. Whether you’re using a large font to make your application seem longer or a tiny font to cram everything in, you’re not fooling anyone. Stick to a standard font size – between 10 and 12 points. Similarly, don’t mess with the margins too much. Drastically reducing them can make the page look cluttered and hard to read.
Don’t use unprofessional details
This includes using ‘crazy’ colours or fonts that are hard to read. Stick to black text on a white background. It’s also important to use a professional email address. An address like ‘partyanimal99@email.com’ doesn’t exactly scream ‘hire me’. Finally, unless specifically requested, you don’t need to include a photo of yourself.
Top CV mistakes to avoid (and what to do instead)
Final thoughts
It takes an employer just seven seconds to save or reject a job applicant’s CV.
This means creating a clear, concise, and professional CV is absolutely vital if you want to land that all-important interview.
By following these simple layout dos and don’ts, you can create a CV that stands out for all the right reasons – and helps you move one step closer to a job you’ll love.
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Thank you as always Michael, this is a great read for our students. LSST Press Office