Formal CV
Here's the thing about a formal CV. Most people overthink it or, honestly, go way too fancy with the layout. I've seen hundreds of CVs in my career coaching days, and you'd be surprised how many people try to turn theirs into a graphic design project. Listen, it's a CV, not an art gallery. Hiring managers just want to see your experience, skills, and education clearly. That's it.
What even is a formal CV?
Alright, let's break it down. A formal CV is basically your professional story, kept clean and straightforward. It's not about showing off your creative side or cramming every single thing you've ever done onto a page. Think of it as the document that says, "Here's what I bring to the table" without making anyone squint or scroll forever to figure it out. Simple fonts, consistent formatting, and clear sections are your best friends here.
What should it actually look like?
First, no comic sans or quirky fonts. Stick with something clean like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Yeah, Times New Roman has been around forever, but it works. Next, keep the font size readable, nothing smaller than 10 pt, please. I've seen CVs that look like the fine print on a contract. Nobody's going to read that.
Your name should stand out at the top, not buried in the middle somewhere. Then, have clear sections: contact info, a short summary, work experience, education, and maybe skills or certifications depending on your field. Don't go adding fifteen subsections like "Volunteer Experience" or "Projects" unless they're directly relevant. Keep it neat.
The Part Nobody Tells You About
A lot of people think their formal CV needs to be stuffed full of buzzwords and fancy phrasing. Nope. Look, you want to sound professional, but you also want to sound like a real person. If your CV reads like a robot wrote it, that’s a problem. Use action verbs like "managed, " "led, " "created, " or "improved, " but don’t go overboard trying to make every word sound impressive. If you worked in retail, say so, don’t turn “cashier” into “customer-facing sales associate of retail solutions. ” It just sounds ridiculous.
The summary section at the top is another area people mess up. You don’t need a long paragraph about being "results-driven" or a "self-starter. " Instead, write one or two sentences that explain what you're good at and what kind of role you're looking for. Keep it simple, like "Experienced project manager with a focus on simplifying workflows and improving team efficiency. Looking for opportunities in tech startups. " Boom, easy.
Stop Overloading It
Here’s a tip I still can’t believe people miss: your CV doesn’t have to list every single job you’ve ever had. Seriously, if you worked at a sandwich shop fifteen years ago and now you’re applying for an accounting role, nobody needs to know about your mayo-spreading skills from back then. Focus on the jobs that are relevant to the position you're applying for. If you’re switching careers, highlight transferable skills instead of random tasks from unrelated roles.
And don’t write paragraphs for every job description. Use bullet points (yes, bullet points are fine on CVs, even if I said not to use them in blog posts). Three to five bullet points per job, tops. Make them short and specific. "Reduced shipping costs by 15% through vendor negotiations" is way better than "Responsible for overseeing shipping logistics. "
Does a formal CV need a photo?
This is a tricky one because it depends on where you’re applying. In the US, Canada, and the UK, photos on CVs are typically a no-go. In some European countries or industries like modeling, they might be expected. If you’re unsure, skip the photo. Your qualifications should stand out, not your headshot.
Final thought
Making a solid formal CV isn’t about being fancy or overloading it with details. It’s about being clear, professional, and relevant to the job you want. Keep it simple, make sure it looks clean, and don’t try to be overly clever with wording. The goal is to let your skills and experience shine, not to distract with fluff or flair.