Choosing the Right CV Template: When to Be Bold, When to Be Plain
Template choice signals as much as content. Here is how to pick one that helps rather than hurts.
Match the template to the industry
Finance, law, government, and traditional corporates expect conservative templates: single column, no color, no photo (region depending). Creative industries, design, marketing, and tech are more forgiving and even expect a touch of personality.
Two-column vs single-column
Two-column templates pack more information into one page and look modern, which is why most builders default to them. The downside is that some ATSs scramble parsing. A safe approach: use a two-column version for direct human review and a single-column version for online portals.
Color: one accent, used sparingly
A single accent color used on your name, section titles, or a thin sidebar adds polish without screaming. Blues and dark greens read professional. Bright reds, neons, and pastel gradients almost always hurt unless you are applying to a creative role.
Typography choices that age well
Use one typeface family across the whole document, with at most two weights. Inter, Calibri, Helvetica, and Source Sans Pro are safe modern choices. Avoid Comic Sans, Papyrus, and overly decorative fonts.
Photo or no photo
In Morocco, France, Germany, and many EU countries, a clean professional photo is expected. In the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, omit the photo to avoid bias and comply with hiring norms. When in doubt, follow the local standard, not the template default.
Test on mobile
Many recruiters open CVs on their phone first. Open your PDF on a small screen and confirm that headings, names, and contact details remain legible. If the template falls apart at small sizes, it is not the right template.