Are you looking to make your CV stand out? Check out these tips on how to create a good-looking CV that will catch the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.
Your CV is often the first impression you make on a potential employer, so it's essential to ensure it looks professional and visually appealing. A well-designed CV can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of landing an interview. But how do you create a good-looking CV that showcases your skills and experiences in the best possible light?
In this article, we'll explore tips and strategies for creating a good-looking CV, from using bullet points and white space to incorporating headings and industry-specific keywords. Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, these tips will help you create a CV that impresses recruiters and hiring managers and enables you to land your dream job.
Use a clean and simple design
To create a clean and simple CV design, you should use a clear and easy-to-read font, such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri. You should also use a consistent font size throughout your CV, typically between 10 and 12 points, to ensure your text is legible and easy to read.
Regarding formatting, you should aim for a consistent and streamlined look. Use headings and subheadings to organize your CV into clearly defined sections, and use a consistent formatting style.
Use active verbs and avoid using passive language
Using active verbs on your CV can make it more engaging and dynamic, while passive verbs can make it sound dull and uninteresting. Active verbs describe actions you have taken, while passive verbs describe actions that have been taken on you or that you have experienced.
For example, instead of saying, "Responsibilities included attending meetings," you can use the active verb "Contributed to team meetings by providing valuable input and insights."
Using active verbs like "achieved," "created," "developed," "improved," and "managed" can help to emphasize your accomplishments and show how you have added value in your previous roles.
In contrast, using passive verbs like "was responsible for," "was involved in," or "was tasked with" can make your CV sound less impressive and may not convey a sense of your agency and impact.
Read also: 10 Must-Have Keywords and Phrases to Include in Your CV & Cover Letter
Use bullet points
Bullet points help break up text and create a clear and concise structure, making your CV more scannable and easier for recruiters and hiring managers to understand your skills and experiences quickly. They also make it easier to prioritize information and emphasize key points, making your CV more impactful. This can make your CV more aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable to read, which can be advantageous in a competitive job market.
Leave plenty of white space
White space, also known as negative space, refers to the area on your CV left blank or unoccupied by text or graphics. It can create a sense of balance and proportion in your CV by separating different sections and drawing the eye to important information. Having white spaces makes your CV look more professional and modern by giving it a clean, uncluttered appearance. This can be especially important in industries where attention to detail and visual presentation are highly valued.
Read more: How to effectively use white spaces on your CV here.
Highlight your achievements
Use bold text, italics, or underlining to highlight your achievements, skills, and qualifications. Bold and italics are two of the most effective ways to add emphasis and make your CV visually appealing. You can use them to highlight your strongest points or draw attention to details or information that you want readers to remember.
For example;
If you have a solid academic record but also a passion for sports, you might want to use bold text in your statement of purpose so that it stands out against other candidates who lack this pass
While at it, numbers and statistics can quantify your achievements where possible.
For instance,
“I have been training for 5 years. I have won 2 gold medals in my age group (21-30). I was ranked number 1 in my club for 3 years running and was awarded the Best Coach award twice.”
“I am looking for a new job as I have been with this company for 5 years. During this time, I achieved many successes, including being promoted 3 times, receiving a pay rise twice, and receiving an award for outstanding performance on 4 occasions.”
Read also: Hey, You Can Still be Humble and Brag About Your Career Achievements - Here’s How to do it Right
Use headings to break up sections
Headings and sections help to break up your CV into smaller, more manageable pieces of information, making it easier to read and understand. They can also help to draw the eye to important information and provide a sense of hierarchy and order.
Headings and sections create a consistent and professional look and feel throughout your CV. Using the same formatting and design elements for each section, you can develop a sense of cohesion and make your CV look more polished and well-crafted.
Use colour effectively
Using colour can help showcase your creativity and attention to detail, which can be crucial in creative industries such as graphic design or marketing. By incorporating colour thoughtfully and intentionally, you can demonstrate your design skills and ability to create visually engaging materials.
However, using colour in moderation and with good taste is essential. Too much colour or inappropriate use of colour can make your CV look unprofessional or distracting. When adding colour to your CV, it's best to stick to key elements, such as headings, icons, or graphs, and use a restrained colour palette that compliments your overall design.
To explore and learn more about how to use colour effectively, click here.
Keyword Optimization
Keyword optimization is also crucial for bypassing the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and ensuring that your CV gets noticed by recruiters and hiring managers.
An ATS is a software program many companies use to screen CVs and resumes before a recruiter reviews them. The ATS scans your CV for specific keywords and phrases related to the job description and uses this information to determine whether you are a good match.
To optimize your CV for an ATS, you should start by carefully reviewing the job description and identifying the key skills, qualifications, and requirements in the job posting. You should incorporate these keywords and phrases into your CV naturally and organically.
Be sure to include a mix of hard and soft skills, relevant job titles, and industry-specific terms, and ensure that your CV is well-rounded and tailored to the specific job you are applying for.
In addition, avoid using graphics, tables, or other formatting elements that may not be compatible with the ATS. Stick to a simple, clean layout and use standard fonts and formatting styles to ensure your CV is easy for the ATS to read and analyze.
Read also: 7 Tips for Analyzing a Job Description to Perfectly Customize Your CV
Finally, proofread your CV
Proofreading is a crucial step in creating a good-looking CV. After spending time and effort crafting your CV, ensure it is free from errors and mistakes that could detract from your professionalism and credibility.
To proofread your CV, read it carefully and slowly, paying close attention to each sentence and section. Look for errors, including grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors, and make any necessary corrections.
It can also be helpful to have someone else read your CV for you, as a fresh pair of eyes can often catch errors you may have missed. Ask a friend, family member, or colleague to review your CV and provide feedback on its overall structure, content, and tone.
You might also like: Make a Winning Job Application With These 5 Must-haves in Your CV
