What is reverse chronological order?

It means listing your most recent job, qualification or experience first, working backwards through time.

Is a creative CV layout ever a good idea in the UK?

For most roles, no. A clean, simple layout is safer and easier to read; a more visual layout might suit design-specific roles only, and even then a simple layout is usually the safer default.

Should I use a CV template with columns?

It is best avoided for most applications, since column layouts can be read incorrectly by some software and are not necessary for a strong CV.

What font size should I use on a CV?

Around 10 to 12 point for body text is standard, with a slightly larger size for headings, keeping the whole page easy to read without appearing sparse.

UK CV Format and Layout

The standard UK CV format is reverse chronological, meaning your most recent job or qualification is listed first in each section. Use clear headings, one or two simple fonts, and enough white space, and avoid tables, columns, images or unusual layouts that can be hard to read.

CV help · Updated 27 September 2026 · How we write our guides

Why reverse chronological is standard

Listing your most recent experience first means a reader sees your current or most relevant skills immediately, without having to scroll or read through older history first. It is the format most UK employers and recruiters expect, so straying from it can make a CV harder to follow.

This applies within each section separately: your most recent job at the top of your work history, your most recent or highest qualification at the top of your education section, and so on.

Other formats exist, such as a skills-based layout, but these work best in specific situations, such as a career change or a CV with very limited work history, rather than as a general replacement for the standard format.

Section order

A typical order is contact details, personal statement, work experience, education, then skills. Swap education above work experience if you have limited paid work history, so the strongest section comes first.

Some candidates add an optional short section for hobbies or additional information at the very end, but this should only be included if it adds something genuinely relevant.

Whatever order you use, apply it consistently and make sure each section heading clearly signals what follows, so a reader can jump straight to the part of the CV they are most interested in.

Fonts and spacing

Stick to one or two clean, standard fonts such as Arial, Calibri or Georgia, at a readable size. Use consistent spacing between sections and enough white space that the page does not feel cramped.

Bold your job titles or section headings so a reader can scan the page quickly, but avoid excessive use of bold, italics or colour, which can make a CV look cluttered rather than clear.

Consistent line spacing between bullet points also makes a real difference to readability. Cramming lines too close together can make a page feel dense, even if the wording itself is concise, so it is worth checking the finished page at a glance before sending it.

Layout choices to avoid

Multi-column layouts, text boxes, tables and graphics can look appealing but often cause problems when a CV is opened in different software or read by applicant tracking systems. A single-column layout is the safest choice for most applications.

Avoid a photo, decorative borders, or unusual fonts that prioritise style over readability. These choices rarely improve a CV's chances and can make it harder to read quickly.

Use a single column rather than a two-column design
Avoid text inside images, headers or footers
Keep headings consistent in style throughout
Save and send as a PDF unless asked for another format

Consistency matters

Whatever choices you make, apply them consistently across the whole document. Mixed date formats, inconsistent bullet styles, or changing fonts partway through the page all make a CV look less polished, even if the content is strong.

A quick final pass focused purely on consistency, checking spacing, punctuation and formatting rather than wording, is a worthwhile last step before you send a CV out.

Headings and page margins

Use clear, descriptive section headings such as 'Work Experience', 'Education' and 'Skills' rather than more creative alternatives, which can be harder for a reader to scan quickly. A slightly larger or bold heading style helps each section stand out from the body text.

Standard page margins, usually around two centimetres on each side, keep the page looking balanced without wasting space. Very narrow margins can make a page feel cramped, while very wide ones can push content awkwardly onto a second page.

A consistent visual hierarchy, with headings, job titles and body text each clearly distinct from one another, makes the whole page easier to navigate at a glance.

Adapting the format for different roles

The reverse chronological format works well for the vast majority of applications, but the amount of detail within it can flex depending on the role. A more senior application might include a short summary of key achievements near the top, while an entry-level CV keeps things simpler throughout.

Whatever the role, the underlying layout principles stay the same: clear order, consistent formatting, and enough white space that a reader can find what they need quickly.

This consistency is part of what makes the reverse chronological format so widely used; a reader who is familiar with the standard layout can navigate a well-formatted CV quickly, regardless of which industry or role it is for.