Best Fonts for a CV in the UK: Top 10 Fonts

Times New Roman

Times New Roman is another common and well-known serif font used in the CV. Because of its classic-looking serifs, it creates a formal, traditional look. This font is good for candidates in careers like medicine, law, business, or civil service. 

Having a standout CV has become more important to get a job as recruiters are dealing with a huge number of qualified candidates than before. Having the right things in the CV is important to make a good impression. A good font can have a huge impact, so after figuring out what font to use in CV, know how it should be:

Professional

Don’t use a cursive CV font style designed to imitate handwriting or an informal style like Comic Sans, along with fonts that are extremely visual, like Eco fonts or Souvenir, with many large dots. 

Legible

Don’t use a font that is overly stylised, condensed, or thin. Remember, readability is important. 

Consistent 

Stick to one professional font and only change it if it is necessary to distinguish headers or section titles. 

Pass the ATS test 

Overly fancy fonts may be a problem for the applicant tracking system(ATS) that recruiters use to scan the CV. So don’t get fancy with the font and make an issue that leads to the CV being discarded without consideration. 

Take the help  of CV writing service providers to make the best CV for you.

CV’s Font Size 

Keeping the CV concise is important if you want to stand out. Many people use small font sizes to put all the information on one page, but this is not a good idea. You have the flexibility with font sizes, but don’t go lower than 10.5 for the main body of the CV. To maintain readability, one should use UK CV font size based on the following guidelines:

Main body 

The main body of the CV should have a font size between 10.5 and 12. 12 is considered standard, while 10.5 is exceptionally small. If you want a clear font type, 11 will be a good choice.

Headings 

CV headings should stand out from the main body. It will allow recruiters to identify sections of interest easily. A professional CV has distinct headings and increases the font size by one or two points from the main body. For instance, if the default font size for a CV is 11, the heading can be 12 or 14. 

Name 

Recruiters should notice your name immediately. An 18 to 22 font size is suggested, as it ensures that the name is clear in the CV.

Stylisation

As mentioned, the section title and header are important in the CV as they indicate important things like work experience and skills. To distinguish the sections, make them visually unique by bolding the title, capitalising the title, or using another font from the same family. 

Crafting the perfect CV can be daunting,so take experts’ help to ensure the CV is error-free. 

Font Formatting For Your CV

If you want to know how to format the fonts to make your CV more readable, here are some tips you can follow:

Bolding

Bolding is a great way to make the most important information stand out, as it makes the text appear heavier and darker. However, it is advisable not to overuse it, as it can lose its impact. Save it for the most important information, like your name and job title, and in the work experience section. 

Italicising 

This makes the font look slant to the right. It is based on old-fashioned calligraphic handwriting. Using italicising is the best way to emphasise small chunks of text. It is recommended to use it more sparingly than boding. The perfect place to use it is for the name and location of the employer in the work history. 

Font pairing 

Did you know you can use two types of fonts in the CV? This is called font pairing, and most graphic designers use this trick. The key is to use fonts that complement each other. For example, pair a serif and sans serif fonts to create a balance. Use one font in your name and section headings and another in the body text. 

Things not to use 

There are other ways to draw attention to your CV that you should avoid using. 

Underlining

Underlining the text in the CV looks messy and cluttered to the page. A good CV layout should maximise clarity and white space. 

Highlighting 

If you are writing notes, highlighting the text is fine. It is also a convenient way for editors to identify mistakes. But this is not a good option for the CV, as it looks messy and distracting.

Capitalising 

This can work for the section headings, but don’t use it anywhere else; otherwise, it might look like you are shouting. 

Factors To Consider While Picking The Best Font For CV

Here are a few things to consider when choosing the right font for your CV.

Easy to Read

Try to keep the font simple. It makes a good impression and also increases readability. Simple fonts are safe and considered professional. 

Professional

Professionalism can be subjective depending on the specific industry. If you are applying in the creative industry, using a creative font might be acceptable. So, research the type of fonts used in the industry you are applying to. It can give you a good idea of the best fonts to use. 

Clear in all Formats

Formatting includes sizing and stylistic choices, such as making some words italics or bold. Sometimes, a font is more readable when it appears in normal, non-italic, or non-bold form. Make sure the readability is the same after formatting. 

If you are struggling creating a CV for you,  contact the CV editing service.

Extra Tips When Choosing the Best Font Styles And Formats 

Find the right format to complement the font

If you use a traditional reverse chronological structure, stick to the serif font, indicating professionalism. You might have opted for a creative CV template UK. Sans serif fonts are best as they are fun and informal. Consider the industry you are applying for; sectors like law and finance prefer formal typeface, while some give more leeway. 

Don’t complicate things

Remember, simplicity is the key to a CV. Try to stick to the recruiter-recommended typefaces like Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman instead of complicating things. Ensure the content is engaging, try formatting tools, and add positive adjectives and action verbs. 

Don’t forget about the content 

Don’t get distracted by fonts; forget about creating interesting sections. Explain why you are the best candidate for the job. You can check the CV examples on our website. 

Get Success With Our CV Writing Service

Are you unable to compose your CV and need professional help? iCover offers the best CV and cover letter writing service. It’s important to understand what attracts hiring managers. We have a professional team that chooses the best font for your CV and supports you from beginning to end. The CV writers highlight the key skills that attract the recruiter’s attention. Connect with our CV writing experts and try our CV builder.