Ever wondered what parts of your CV should be in a bold font? Or maybe you’ve thought about whether you should use bullet points, columns or even graphics to make your application stand out.

Research by career tool KickResume has analysed almost 400 CVs from different candidates – all of whom went on to be successfully hired – to look at what design features help to make a CV as good as it can be. The study found that 76% of successful CVs included visual elements, with 63% of candidates representing their skills by using graphics and 45% using icons to show their hobbies. And, the font mattered too – 99.8% of the successful candidates only used bold text for job titles, company names and section headings. This ensured their applications weren’t too confusing to read and helped give their CVs a better structure on the page.

It’s clear that having a well-designed CV pays off. In fact, a study by CV Genius found that more than three in four hiring managers and recruiters were less likely to hire candidates with a poorly formatted CV, highlighting the importance of submitting an application that looks professional and succinctly explains your experience.

If you’re thinking of revamping your CV ahead of your next job application, making sure it has a neat, clear and cohesive design is vital. Here, career experts advise on three things to consider when putting together your CV.

4 things to consider when designing your CV, according to career experts