The critical 12: ensure your CV gets read — not just skimmed

Recruiters may lean too heavily on AI or screening software, but most job postings also draw a flood of poorly targeted applications, making quick decisions inevitable.

These quick fixes will help make your CV readable, attractive, and immediately clear about why you are a strong fit. Show how your experience matches the role. See more detailed CV and résumé guidance available elsewhere on our blog.

1. Layout

One-column layouts are easier on the eye: this means they invite more attention.[1] Some shading or sub-titles in another color (like here) can be attractive. Don’t use dark background colors for text boxes, banners or margins, however—it will make your CV look like a funeral announcement.

2. Length

Unless you are in secondary school or an undergraduate with no formal experience (projects or jobs), you can ignore the “two-page myth.” Use the space you need to give a comprehensive view of what you have achieved and have to offer.[2]

3. Grammatical Style

Use phrases, not full sentences; a CV is not an essay or letter. Avoid overusing italics or bold and skip serif fonts such as Times New Roman or Garamond. Calibri, Arial, and Aptos work well. Sans-serif fonts also use less ink when printed. Use at least 11-point type.

Use bullet points sparingly to emphasize complex experience descriptions:

• Start with a one- or two-line summary of responsibilities or thesis focus.

• Add three or four bullets detailing measurable results in terms of cost, profit, safety, or efficiency.

• Each work experience is different, so vary number of bullet points as needed.

4. Strengths (or key skills)

At the top of your CV, in a special section called, “Strengths,” highlight three to five key skills that match the employer’s job description and quickly answer the recruiter’s first question: “Can this candidate do the job?” This does not replace a fuller Technical Expertise section elsewhere.

5. Name and Contact Details

Market yourself: use 26–28 point type for your name; this is your brand! Include at least your city, country, email, and phone number. Add LinkedIn, and GitHub, a personal and/or publications website, if relevant.  IM details may make contact easier. Keep personal data in a separate section (see below).

6. Photo

In non-Anglophone countries, a CV photo is a must, especially for young professionals.[3] Use a head-and-shoulders shot with a neutral background, wearing clothes you would choose for a job interview. Keep glasses on if you normally wear them. See how your photo will be perceived on https://www.photofeeler.com/, and use a different, perhaps less formal, image on LinkedIn.

7. Personal Data

Personal data requirements vary by country, but in Europe this section generally includes nationality, age or birthdate, civil status, and, where relevant, military status. A driver’s license can be worth adding, as they are rare among under-35s. Do not include religion or politics. Place this section at the end of your CV under a separate heading.

8. Education Section

For industry applications, keep the Education section concise. List the institution, degree or diploma, and completion year, using official translations when needed. Add GPA, ranking, or awards only when helpful, and usually include only two levels below your current qualification.[4] Put academic exchanges here but place thesis titles under Experience with the explanation of your work.

9. Languages

Languages matter in multilingual markets such as Switzerland or the Netherlands and in global sectors like IT or banking. Keep them in their own subsection.

Include your native language and show both spoken and written proficiency. For example:

French: Native (or Mother tongue)

English: Proficient spoken (C2) and written (C1)

Swahili: Intermediate spoken (B2) and written (B1)

Mention any certificates (IELTS, DELF, Cervantes, HSK, etc.) and exchange periods if relevant to mastering a non-native language (like summer abroad in Canada).

10. Experience (split into two sections)

Divide your work history between “Core Experience” and “Additional Experience,” adjusting the split for each application if needed. In both sections, list entries in reverse chronological order, with the most recent first. Young professionals should include relevant projects, while Master’s and PhD thesis work can fit into either section.[5]

11. Technical Expertise (not just Skills)

Show both technical and transferable skills, including related professional activities such as safety training, quality assessment, and project management. Do not limit this section to a list of IT programs.

Organize skills under clear subheadings, such as Materials Analysis, Pedagogy, IT Tools, Science Communication, or Project Management, for example. Even if you taught yourself how to code in Python or haven’t received your Yoga master’s certificate, include these as part of your expertise.

Academics often undervalue their intellectual property and people skills when moving into industry. A broad technical base also shows you can learn new methods quickly.

List relevant tools, programs, and methods within each Experience entry, and choose your “Strengths” for each application from this comprehensive section.

12. Personal Interests

Personal interests matter more than many candidates expect. Sports, social activities, and key interests give recruiters insight into how you might fit within a team. Because final hiring decisions are often subjective, this section can still influence the outcome.

One final note: Think of “CV” as “Communicating Value”. It is your ticket to the interview, so give it the polish it deserves now — and let it open doors for the job you want next.

[1] Fun fact: your eyes cannot easily connect things across horizontal columns, so neither can your brain!

[2] Look on our blog for a longer article, “Debunking the one-page myth about CV’s”

[3] It is illegal for most jobs in the UK, Canada, NZ, USA and Australia to include a photo on your résumé.

[4] So, for a PhD, go to Bachelor’s unless it was a Bologna degree, then just the Master’s degree. If at MSc, you can include your Secondary diploma.

[5] A short Postdoc role after a PhD may be the first listed under “Additional Experience,” for example, whereas the Doctoral thesis work of several years would lead the “Core Experience” section.