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.

As KickResume found, successful candidates displayed their skills succinctly. “When recruiters only have a short window of time in which to consider your CV, you’ve got to make sure all the reasons why you’re a great candidate are visible at a glance,” explains Peter Duris, CEO and co-founder of KickResume. “I think that’s why nearly all the CVs had the following in common: bullet points, a simple layout and minimal use of bold font (eg for headings only). Make it easy for the recruiter to pick you.”

To really make your skills stand out, make sure your formatting is correct and neat. “Hiring managers want to see polished, easy-to-read CVs because it reflects professionalism and investment in the process,’ explains Seb Morgan, career expert at CV Genius. “CV formatting matters as much as the content. Candidates should ensure consistent spacing, alignment, capitalisation, and bolding to meet expectations. A poorly formatted CV may cause achievements to be overlooked if hiring managers see it as careless or too time-consuming to decipher.”

While it may not feel natural to use graphics in your CV if you’re someone who prefers text, it’s still worth thinking about how this could enhance your application. “Adding subtle visual elements to a resume is a great way to break down complex information, making it quicker and easier for the recruiter to read,” says Julia Gergelova, certified professional résume writer at KickResume.

“Our research found that the most popular visuals are icons, graphs and skills bars,” continues Gergelova. “To make sure these work well, I’d recommend keeping the visuals as simple and straightforward as possible, so they don’t distract or confuse the recruiter. Additionally, the information shown should be clear and easy to understand. One of my favourite uses of visual elements is skills bars, which easily demonstrate the candidate’s proficiency in different areas. But it’s crucial that these visuals do not overshadow other important information, such as contact details, education and work history.”

Rather than making sweeping statements, quantify your successes within your CV. “While keeping a formal tone, it is critical to quantify your accomplishments,” Chirag Mehta, careers and business coach and co-founder of coaching and training provider Know You More, previously told Stylist. “For example, announcing that you ‘improved revenue by 30%’ provides a measurable indicator of your influence. This not only highlights your work, but also shows how your work helped the team and the organisation.” You could even consider making certain statistics stand-out by including them in a summary or using icons and graphs.

Images; Getty