In this blog, we will look at:
- The best margin settings to use
- How you can set up your margins
- Further tips on formatting your CV
What should the margin be on a CV?
You might be wondering exactly what the margin should be on a CV, and how you know if you’re getting it right. The key is to ensure that you are left with just enough white space, but not too much. With standard CVs, the margin on a CV should be around ½ inch to 1 inch. If your CV is different to a standard one. For instance, if you have designs etc on it, you may be able to adjust it. As a rule, you just want to ensure that the CV looks even at either side.
Get a fresh perspective
If you are unsure if the formatting looks right, ask for a second opinion from a friend or family member. You may not notice things, but they might, and this can be a good way to ensure you don’t make any obvious mistakes with your formatting and the margin on your CV.
How to set up margins on your CV
The most common formats for a CV would be Microsoft Word or Google Docs, so these will be the focus. With Microsoft Word, you would select ‘layout or page layout’, depending on the version you are using and then select ‘margins.’ If you want to stick to the 1-inch margin, just select ‘normal’ from the list. There are other variations, or you can also customise the margins if you prefer.
If you are using Google Docs, you can select ‘file’ from the drop-down menu, and ‘page setup.’ A window will then appear with margin settings. You should select 1 on each box if you want to stick to the standard margin sizes and ‘set as default.’ You can customise these if you prefer.
Further Tips on Formatting Your CV
It is always best to stick to a standard format with the margins on the CV. Although you want your CV to stand out, there is no need for the formatting to stand out. You should pay attention to the font too, make sure it’s a standard font such as ‘arial’, don’t use anything outlandish that might put the hiring manager off.
Key Takeaways
- Use a standard margin of ½ to 1 inch. The settings on the program you are using will usually default to this.
- Ask a friend or family member to give your CV a quick lookover to ensure everything looks right with the format.
- Keep it simple. There is no need for the margins on CV to be anything but the standard, even if you have a CV that is a bit more creative than a standard CV.
- Proofread everything before you submit your CV.
