When creating your CV, content is of course key, but a well laid-out CV can make a lot of difference to your application. Whatever industry you are working in, employers need a clear view of your resumé, with concise sections.

The following tips from Webrecruit are key visual considerations for your CV, which contribute to a great looking resumé.

 

1. Sections

Format your sections by bolding headers. This should be done for each area to make them more identifiable, including your personal profile, employment, education, hobbies and interests, achievements and more.

 

2. Personal Picture

Many individuals choose to add a picture to their CV, however, this can sometimes deter from the content within the document. If you are going to add a picture, keep it small, so as not to detract focus from the important details.

 

3. Font

Keep the font consistent throughout, with clear headings for each section. Use professional fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial, and size 12. Avoid capitalising letters; this can present the wrong tone within the text.

 

4. Images

Try to avoid going over the top on the visual effects as these can make your resumé harder to read. You don’t have to create a mundane CV with no graphics at all but try to keep images and borders to a minimum.

 

5. Text

Don’t have long chunks of text spread over five pages. Recruiters can be put off by a document that looks more like an essay.

 

6. File Format

Your CV should be in a Word or PDF document, so remember not to send it as a txt or JPEG file when communicating with recruitment agencies or employers.

 

7. Consistency

The appearance of your CV should be consistent throughout, with a logical structure. Your CV is a tool used to highlight what you can bring to a company, which must be laid out in a straight forward manner.

You can find some great resumé templates online, including the following found here.

 

Remember, your CV needs to be displayed in a way which makes each section clearly identifiable for the recruiter or employer. And, don’t forget the number one rule: watch out for spelling and grammar mistakes. Your CV is a marketing document, to present you and your relevant experience, so make it pleasant to view and easy to read.