Guide · 5 min read
The best CV format for students and fresh graduates
The right format makes limited experience look strong and keeps your CV readable by both recruiters and screening software. Here's what works for students.
Use a reverse-chronological, single-column layout
For students, a clean reverse-chronological layout in a single column is best. It's what recruiters expect and what applicant tracking systems parse most reliably. Avoid multi-column designs, text boxes and graphics that hold key information.
The recommended section order
- Contact details
- Short personal summary
- Education (your headline as a student)
- Projects
- Experience — internships, part-time work, volunteering
- Skills
Length, fonts and file type
Keep it to one page. Use one clean, standard font and consistent spacing. Export a structured PDF for most applications, or a DOCX when an employer asks for Word — both of Careero's exports stay ATS-friendly.
Frequently asked questions
Should a student CV be one or two pages?
One page. A focused one-pager reads far better than a padded two-pager.
Is a creative CV format okay?
For most students, a clean format is safest. Careero's Creative template adds personality while staying recruiter- and ATS-safe.
PDF or DOCX?
PDF for most applications; DOCX when Word is requested. Careero exports both.
Get the format right automatically
Careero's templates handle formatting so you can focus on content.
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