Building an impressive CV in Word goes beyond typing out your employment timeline and abilities

Start by selecting a clean, professional font like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman

Keep body text between 10–12 pt, while elevating your name and headings for emphasis

Consistency is non-negotiable—ensure every heading, bullet point, and margin adheres to the same visual style throughout

Structure your CV with unmistakable headings like Experience, Education, Skills, and Contact

Even in creative industries, resist overdesign—subtlety preserves professionalism

Your CV must be optimized for both human readers and applicant tracking systems (ATS)

Stick to ATS-friendly labels: don’t rename sections to "Professional Background" or "Skills & Abilities"

Transform duties into measurable impacts that demonstrate your value

Reframe routine tasks as achievements: "Resolved 50+ customer issues daily, improving satisfaction scores by 20%"

Numbers speak louder—use data to prove impact, not just describe roles

List your most recent position first, then move backward chronologically

end dates

Avoid lengthy paragraphs—every bullet should deliver clear, powerful insight

Use dynamic verbs like managed, led, developed, increased, optimized, or implemented

Present education clearly: degree earned, concentration, school, and when you graduated

If you’re a recent graduate, place education before work experience

For seasoned professionals, place education after work experience

Only include certifications or training if they directly enhance your candidacy

Avoid vague terms—name actual tools, platforms, and methodologies you master

Never inflate skills—specify your actual level of experience

Instead of "Used Microsoft Office," write "Created monthly sales dashboards in Excel and tracked inventory using pivot tables"

Limit your CV to one page if you have under 10 years of experience

Two pages are acceptable for senior roles, executive positions, or technical fields

Eliminate clutter—only retain items that strengthen your professional narrative

Unless explicitly requested, never include a photo, age, religion, or gender

Read it multiple times: errors signal carelessness, not competence

Run spell check, then read aloud, then ask a trusted colleague to review

Have a friend or mentor review it for https://pubhtml5.com/homepage/knlhu clarity and tone

Convert to PDF to ensure your layout stays perfect on any screen or printer

Always tailor your CV for each position—don’t send the same generic version everywhere

Extract phrases the employer uses, and weave them naturally into your CV

Highlight experiences and skills that directly match the role’s requirements

A generic CV might get you noticed—but a customized one gets you called for an interview

Invest the effort: your CV is your professional foundation

Update skills, achievements, and roles as you gain them

Your CV should tell the story of your next career leap, not just your history

Your CV is your first impression—make it one you’re proud to stand behind