CV Formatting for Recruitment Agencies: A Comprehensive Guide

Creating a well-formatted CV is crucial in to help your brand stand out to your client amongst competitors. The way you present your candidates can significantly influence your client's first impressions of them and impact whether they choose your candidate over another. This guide will delve into the essentials of CV formatting tailored specifically for recruitment agencies, providing recruiters with practical tips, templates, and insights into common pitfalls to avoid.

Understanding the Importance of CV Formatting

First Impressions Matter

Your candidates are the stars, but your branding is the stage. A clean, professional format can set your firm apart from competitors who may have candidates with similar qualifications but lack attention to detail in their CV presentation.

Readability and Clarity

A well-structured CV improves readability. Recruiters typically spend only a few seconds scanning a CV, and if they can't quickly find the information they're looking for, they may move on to the next candidate.

ATS Compatibility

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter CVs before they reach human eyes. Proper formatting ensures that your CV is ATS-friendly, helping it to pass initial screenings.

Key Elements of CV Formatting

1. Choose the Right Layout

Chronological Layout

• Best For: Candidates with a solid work history.
• Description: Lists work experience in reverse chronological order, making it easy for employers to see your most recent and relevant experience.

Functional Layout

• Best For: Career changers or those with gaps in employment.
• Description: Focuses on skills and experiences rather than chronological work history, allowing you to highlight relevant qualifications.

Combination Layout

• Best For: Candidates with diverse experiences.
• Description: Merges the chronological and functional formats, showcasing skills while providing a timeline of employment.

2. Use Clear Sections

A CV should be divided into clearly defined sections. Common sections include:

• Contact Information: Usually just the candidate's name. Other information such as the candidate's phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile are usually left out.
• Professional Summary: A brief statement summarizing the candidate's qualifications.
• Recruiter's Notes: Details noted by the recruiter that is not ordinarily found in the CV e.g. notice period, availability for interview, recruiter's contact details etc.
• Work Experience: Detailed job history, including responsibilities and accomplishments.
• Education: Academic qualifications, certifications, and relevant training.
• Skills: A list of relevant skills tailored to the job description.
• Additional Information: Any other information that can highlight strengths of the candidate e.g. languages, extracurricular activities, certifications etc.

3. Font and Size

• Font: Use professional fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Avoid decorative fonts that can detract from legibility.
• Size: Maintain a font size between 10-12 points for body text and slightly larger for section headings.

4. Margins and Spacing

• Margins: Use 1-inch margins on all sides for a clean look.
• Spacing: Use adequate spacing between sections and entries to avoid clutter. A good rule of thumb is to double space between sections and single space within sections.

Common CV Formatting Mistakes to Avoid

Overcomplicating the Format

While creativity can be appealing, avoid overly complicated formats that might confuse the reader. Stick to professional designs that enhance readability.

Spelling and Grammar Errors

Proofread your CV multiple times to eliminate any spelling or grammatical errors. Using a CV formatting tool with in-built spell-check like Remkae Cv can help avoid this rookie mistake.

Inconsistent Formatting

Ensure consistency in font sizes, bullet points, and spacing throughout your CV. Inconsistencies can make your candidate's CV appear unprofessional. CV formatting platforms like RemakeCV will ensure that any candidate CV, of any font size and formatting gets transformed into your comapny's branded template in seconds.

CV Templates

To make the process easier, consider using CV templates. Here are a few examples:

Basic CV Template

# [Candidate's Name]

## Professional Summary
[Brief overview of your candidate's qualifications and career goals]

## Recruiter's Notes / Comments
[Your own notes about the candidate]

## Work Experience
**[Job Title]**  
[Company Name], [Location] — [Month, Year] to [Month, Year]  
- [Responsibility/achievement]
- [Responsibility/achievement]

**[Job Title]**  
[Company Name], [Location] — [Month, Year] to [Month, Year]  
- [Responsibility/achievement]
- [Responsibility/achievement]

## Education
**[Degree]**  
[University Name], [Location] — [Year]

## Skills
- [Skill 1]
- [Skill 2]

Examples of CV Designs

Below are some examples of commonly used CV templates and structures that are ATS-friendly, professional and still leaves a strong impression on the client. Having worked with many recruitment firms, we know all the best ways to help make your candidates stand out with their CV.

Sleek and Modern

Creative and Memorable

Professional and Clear

Bold and Straightforward

We've helped hundreds of agencies create powerful, branded CVs that get noticed by their clients. Let's elevate your firm's image next. Book a consultation to see how.

Best Automated CV Formatting Tools

In today's digital age, several automated tools can help you create a professional, well-formatted CV in minutes. These platforms offer user-friendly interfaces, customizable templates, and features that ensure your CV is both visually appealing and ATS-friendly. Some of the most popular tools include RemakeCV, Canva, Novorésumé, and Zety. Among these, RemakeCV stands out for its intuitive design, modern templates, and focus on both aesthetics and compliance with recruitment standards. Whether you're starting from scratch or updating an existing CV, RemakeCV streamlines the process, helping you present your qualifications in the best possible light.

Final Thoughts

Formatting candidate CVs correctly can dramatically impact your close rates. By understanding the importance of layout, clarity, and tailoring your CV, you can create a compelling document that stands out to client.

CV formatting is highly valuable. But so is your time. RemakeCV makes it easy for you to format CVs in seconds with a click of a button.

Book a demo today!