CV Layout: How to Format a CV That Gets Read

ApplicantGrid Editorial ·

Clean and structured CV layout displayed on a laptop screen

Great content can still be ignored if the CV layout is wrong. Recruiters spend seconds on each CV, and applicant tracking systems reject anything they cannot parse. This guide gives you the best layout and formatting rules for the UK — spacing, length, fonts and section order — so your CV is read, not skipped. To apply these rules without the fiddly formatting, use our CV templates.

The ideal CV layout at a glance

A clean, recruiter-friendly cv format follows this structure:

  1. Contact details (top)
  2. Personal profile
  3. Work experience (reverse-chronological)
  4. Education
  5. Skills
  6. Interests (optional)

Keep it to one or two pages, a single column, and plenty of white space. That is the foundation everything else builds on.

Choosing the right CV format

Three formats exist, but most people should use one.

  • Reverse-chronological — lists your most recent role first. Best for almost everyone, and the format ATS software reads most reliably.
  • Skills-based (functional) — leads with skills over timeline. Useful for career changers or those with gaps, but recruiters can find it harder to follow.
  • Combination — a hybrid that opens with a strong skills summary before the work history.

For the full content method behind each section, see our guide on how to write a CV.

CV layout rules that matter

These are the formatting decisions recruiters notice.

Length

  • One page for graduates and early-career candidates.
  • Two pages for experienced professionals.
  • Never more than two pages unless you are in academia or medicine, where a longer CV is expected.

Fonts

  • Use a clean, professional font: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica or Georgia.
  • 10–12pt for body text, slightly larger for your name and headings.
  • Stick to one font throughout.

Spacing and margins

  • Margins of 1.27cm to 2.54cm on all sides.
  • Consistent spacing between sections.
  • Enough white space that the page never feels cramped.

Headings

  • Clear, conventional section headings: Work Experience, Education, Skills.
  • Make them stand out with bold or a slightly larger size, consistently.

Single column vs two columns

Two-column CVs with a coloured sidebar look modern, but they carry a real risk: many applicant tracking systems read them in the wrong order or scramble the text.

For most applications, a single-column layout is safer. It reads top to bottom, parses cleanly, and never confuses the software. Save the design-led layouts for creative roles where a human will always see them first. See finished, well-formatted documents in our CV examples by job and industry.

How to format a CV for ATS

Knowing how to format a cv for applicant tracking systems is essential, since most medium and large UK employers use one.

Do:

  • Use a single-column layout.
  • Use real text, never text inside images.
  • Use standard section headings.
  • Save as PDF or .docx.

Don't:

  • Put key details in headers or footers (some ATS ignore these).
  • Use tables for your whole layout.
  • Rely on colour or icons to convey meaning.
  • Use unusual fonts that may not render.

For ready-made, ATS-friendly designs, our free CV template UK guide has options you can download and edit.

Section order and what goes where

The order can shift slightly depending on your situation:

  • Experienced professionals: profile → experience → education → skills.
  • Graduates and students: profile → education → experience/activities → skills.
  • Career changers: profile → skills summary → experience → education.

Lead with your strongest, most relevant section. The principle is always the same: make the recruiter's job easy.

Quick formatting checklist

Before you send your CV, confirm:

  • One or two pages, single column.
  • Consistent font, size and spacing throughout.
  • Standard section headings.
  • No photos, text boxes or full-page tables.
  • Saved as a clearly named PDF: Firstname-Surname-CV.pdf.

Get your CV layout right first time

A clean CV layout ensures your content actually gets read by both recruiters and software. Keep it single-column, well-spaced and ATS-friendly, and lead with your strongest section. Skip the manual formatting altogether with our CV templates — ApplicantGrid handles spacing, structure and ATS checks so you can focus on what your CV actually says.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best CV layout for the UK?

A reverse-chronological, single-column layout. It lists your most recent role first, reads cleanly for recruiters, and is parsed reliably by applicant tracking systems. Reserve design-led layouts for creative roles seen by a human first.

Should a CV be one page or two?

One page suits graduates and early-career candidates; two pages suit experienced professionals. Never exceed two pages unless you work in academia or medicine, where longer CVs are the convention.

What font and size should I use on a CV?

Use a clean professional font such as Calibri, Arial or Georgia, at 10–12pt for body text. Keep to one font throughout and make your name and headings slightly larger for clarity.

Are two-column CVs bad for ATS?

They can be. Many applicant tracking systems read two-column layouts in the wrong order or scramble the text. A single-column layout is the safest choice for any role where your CV may be screened by software.

How do I format a CV so it passes ATS checks?

Use a single column, real text rather than images, standard section headings, and save as PDF or .docx. Avoid putting key details in headers or footers and do not use tables for the whole layout.

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