The CV Format 2026
That Gets Responses
CV standards evolve every year. Here is exactly how to format your CV in 2026 to pass ATS filters and convince human recruiters.
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Create my CV in 2 minutes →CV format rules in 2026
Length
1 page: 0–5 years of experience
2 pages: 5+ years of experience
Never 3 pages except for academic CVs
Typography
Sans-serif font (Inter, Calibri, Arial). Body: 10–11pt. Headings: 12–14pt. Margins: 1.5–2cm. Line spacing: 1.15–1.3.
Colours
Black or dark grey text. 1 accent colour (blue, green, purple). White or very lightly tinted background. Avoid dark backgrounds.
File format
PDF first and foremost. Always named "FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf". Never Word (.docx) unless explicitly requested.
ATS compatibility
No tables. No multi-column layouts if possible. No background images. Selectable text (not scanned).
Sections in 2026
Summary → Experience → Skills → Education. In 2026, the professional summary is essential (2–3 lines).
What has changed since 2024
| Element | Before (2024) | Now (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Professional summary | Optional | Strongly recommended |
| AI skills | Bonus | Expected in tech |
| Photo (outside France) | Variable | Avoid UK/NL/DE |
| Career objective | Common | Replaced by summary |
| References | "Available on request" | Remove this line |
| Hobbies | Standard | Optional, 1 line max |
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