Step-by-step guide on how to create a CV in Word
Microsoft Word is one of the easiest and most accessible tools for creating a professional CV. Whether you’re applying for your first job or updating an old document, Word offers templates and user-friendly, familiar formatting tools. In this article, we’ll guide you through how to create a CV in Word and share best practices to make sure your CV looks polished, easy to read, and ready to impress recruiters.
Pros and cons of making a CV in Word
Microsoft Word is one of the most popular word-processing applications, and can be one of the most convenient ways to create your CV. The widespread usage of Microsoft's suite of software means most people are familiar with the functions of Word. This makes it fairly easy to create a basic CV from a template in Word that wouldn't look out of place for most job applications.
However, Word also has some limitations and drawbacks, which can place you at a disadvantage with your applications. Let's take a look at some of the main pros and cons of using Word to create your CV.
Pros
Cons
Recruiters (or anyone) can edit your CV
Text may not be displayed the same way on a different PC
Aligning sections and bullet points can take hours
Templates may be outdated
A CV maker such as Jobseeker can take the guesswork out of formatting your CV. As they come with pre-made templates, you don’t need to worry about formatting and aligning the different sections of your CV. If you do want to customise the design of your CV, all it takes is a few simple clicks.
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Step-by-step: How to create a CV in Word
If you want to use Word to write your CV, there are two ways of doing it. You can either use a basic CV template from Word, or create your CV in the software from scratch. Here are the key steps of how to make a CV in Word using both approaches:
Using a Word CV template
There are various professional CV templates that you can use as the basis of your CV layout in Word. This can save time, effort and the technical expertise required to design and build an appealing CV layout yourself. To produce a CV using Word's CV templates, follow these steps:
- Open Word and click on 'New'. The available document types will appear in the window, including a blank document and various templates.
- In the search bar at the top of the window, type 'CV' or 'resume' to see the available CV and resume templates.
- Select your preferred Word CV template by double-clicking on it, or clicking on it, followed by 'Create'.
- The template will open in a new window, filled with dummy text that you can delete and replace with your own.
- You can also adjust the fonts, colours, sizes and positions of elements on the page. However, be careful not to alter the layout too much, as this can disrupt the formatting and make the document appear unprofessional.
Making your CV in Word from scratch
If you want to take the time to make your own, individual CV design, you can create your CV in Word from scratch. The steps to doing this depend on how much effort and creativity you want to put into your CV layout. However, the key steps involve the following:
- Search for, and browse CV examples online before you create your document, to give you an idea of how you'd like your CV to look.
- Create a blank document in Word by clicking 'New', followed by 'Blank Document'.
- Set the margins and line spacing of your document by clicking 'Layout' in the main ribbon of menus across the top of the document. The best margins for readability and ATS compatibility tend to be 1 inch (2.54cm), but you could make the margins narrower if you'd like to fit more information on the page. Line spacing between 1 and 1.15 tends to look the most professional, and consider adding a space before or after each paragraph of between 6 and 12 points.
- Select your desired font for both your headings and body text. Keep these fonts consistent throughout your CV for a clean, readable design. Aim for font sizes of between 10 and 12 for body text, and 14 to 16 for heading text.
- Select font colours for your headings, or other design elements such as lines, columns, text boxes and icons, to improve the overall look and feel of the document.
- Type in the content, being mindful of retaining a clear, readable CV layout and structure.
Best free CV templates in Word
Word offers various CV templates to suit your personal style, and the role you're applying for. The best CV examples Word offers include:
Basic Modern CV
This simple Word CV template features a prominent CV header with an offset two-column design for basic information and detailed experience and career chronology. The understated colour palette, design elements and fonts make it a great option when applying for traditional, professional roles.
Modern Initials CV
This template has a clean, contemporary design with a bold, colour-contrast header and distinct sections for the different types of CV information. The template incorporates graphical elements to visualise skill competency levels and uses stylish sans serif fonts for a sleek, modern feel.
Contemporary Resume
Another modern CV template from Word, 'Contemporary Resume' features bold colour accents with a contrasting, offset two-column design and clear, readable sans serif fonts. The default colour accents are in purple, but could be changed to suit your personal style, industry sector or the company you're applying to.
Blue Grey CV
Blue Grey CV is a neat, professional CV layout with an understated colour palette and subtle design that draws the eye and helps to hold the reader's attention. The template provides space for a professional candidate photo, which can be desirable for certain roles, industries or locations.
Bold Monogram Resume
If you're looking for a clean yet striking CV design with bold use of colour, this is ideal. The template offers red colour accents (that can be changed to any colour of your choosing) and simple two-column layout with a contrasting information column and a clean, simple main section for work experience, education and key skills.
Alternative CV templates from Jobseeker
As an alternative to using Word for your CV, Jobseeker's CV maker has a host of CV templates to choose from. Creating a CV using Jobseeker couldn't be easier, while you can also customise the look and feel of each design to suit your style. Here are some examples of the CV templates Jobseeker offers:
CV formatting tips in Word
You’ve finally written your CV and are ready to click ‘Send’, but before you do, here are some points to pay attention to:
Decrease page margins
There’s not a great deal of space on your CV, so to make the most of blank space, you can decrease page margins. This will make sure you don’t leave out important information in your CV. Avoid making page margins smaller than 0.5 inches, so your CV doesn’t look too busy.
Use section headings
Section headings are a good way to break up your CV and draw attention to the different chapters of your career history. Make sure headings stand out by using a larger font size (14-16) and putting them in bold. Leave sufficient white space between the different sections to make your CV look organised and neat.
Insert page breaks
In a two-page CV, text can spill over from one page to the next, making it look messy. Instead of creating artificial page breaks by pressing ‘Enter’ a few times, use the ‘Page Break’ feature in Microsoft Word.
Use bullet points
Recruiters and prospective employers are busy people and don’t have a lot of time to read your CV. In fact, research from Jobseeker suggests HR professionals take on average just 30 seconds to review each CV. Use bullet points to break up dense paragraphs and to help recruiters navigate through your CV quickly and easily.
Don’t justify text
Text justification alters the spacing between letters to give documents a more polished look. However, it can also stretch words excessively, making text harder to read. As we read from left to right, align text to the left, so that it can be read normally.
Apply bold and italics sparingly
It’s fine to use bold and italics to highlight the most important elements of your CV. However, use these sparingly to avoid diluting their effect. As a general rule, use bold for your name and main headings (employment history, education, etc.) and italics for job titles, the companies you worked for and date ranges.
Use appropriate fonts, font sizes and colours
As a rule of thumb, use the same font throughout your CV. Unless you’re applying for a creative job, too many different fonts may strain readers’ eyes or may not be correctly processed by ATS. Choose fonts like Arial, Calibri, Verdana or Times New Roman, which are easy to read.
Use the same font size (ideally between 10-12) for readability, except for headings. When it comes to colours, err on the side of professionalism by sticking to the standard black and white layout.
Expert Tip
Your CV formatting choices may not show up correctly in different versions of Word or different operating systems. To make sure that recruiters and hiring managers can open and read your CV easily, avoid using templates with unnecessary visual elements and elaborate formatting. For maximum compatibility, save your CV as a .doc and not as a .docx file.
Why use Jobseeker’s CV builder instead of Word?
If you’re struggling with creating a CV in Word or you don’t have a lot of experience using word-processors or designing documents, a CV maker such as Jobseeker can be a great help. Jobseeker's simple CV and cover letter builder tool can help you create your ideal application in minutes. Simply choose a template, add your content and customise the layout and look of your document to suit your needs.
Jobseeker's CV builder also offers useful tools and resources to improve the overall quality of your CV in ways Word can't. These include AI suggestions and the ability to import content from your LinkedIn profile or a previous Word CV. All these features make it easier than ever to create an eye-catching, engaging application that will impress HR managers and increase your chances of passing the ATS stage.
Key takeaways for creating a Word CV
Word can represent a convenient and familiar way to create your CV. Some things to consider when weighing up whether to use Word for your CV include:
Word offers the opportunity to create a CV from a template, or from scratch |
The options for customising, editing and quality-checking your CV in Word are extensive |
However, formatting your CV in Word can be a complex and confusing activity |
CV builders like Jobseeker offer a quicker, easier and more appealing CV examples and templates, to help you build a CV to impress employers |
Jobseeker can help you every step of the way with your job applications, with its tools, resources and CV and cover letter templates. It only takes a moment to sign up with Jobseeker and get started creating your next successful CV and cover letter.
FAQs for Creating a CV in Word
Microsoft Word can be a suitable option for creating your CV. Its familiar layout, free templates and customisation options make it a strong choice for some jobseekers. However, if you're unsure of how to format a document in Word, or you don't have much design experience or expertise, designing a CV in Word can be more challenging.
Word contains numerous free CV templates to help you create a good-looking CV quickly and easily. You can also find many other Word CV templates across the internet, that you can import directly into Word. Alternatively, Jobseeker's CV and cover letter examples provide another quick and easy solution for creating a professional-looking job application.
There are several things you can do to make your Word CV more ATS-friendly:
- Use a readable, professional font (size 10-12).
- Use standard CV headings.
- Use a clear, professional layout, minimising graphics and other design elements.
- Include keywords and phrases that reflect the job description.
You could also use a ready-made, ATS-optimised CV template like those offered by Jobseeker, to increase your chances of passing the ATS screening stage.
The best Word CV template for your industry will depend on numerous factors. If you work in a traditional, professional industry, a formal, understated CV template is likely to be the most effective. Use a template that has a reverse-chronological format, highlighting your work experience. For modern and more informal or creative professions, you could opt for a CV template that includes more engaging design elements or adopts a non-traditional layout and structure.
The best font size for your Word CV depends on the font you choose. In most cases, a font size of between 10 and 12 is most suitable for body text, while 14 to 16 is ideal for headings. Ensure you select a clear, professional font, and pick a font size that maximises readability.
It's up to you whether to send your CV in Word or PDF format. While a Word format retains all the formatting of your document, a PDF tends to be the more accessible and secure format. Always check the job advert or the instructions for uploading your CV to the online portal, to understand the preferred format of the hiring company.
The best CV format for Word is typically a traditional chronological CV. This places the emphasis on your work experience, which is the section employers are likely to be most interested in. It also gives you the chance to showcase your career progression, and provide evidence of the skills you've used, and the impact you've made, in different roles.
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