Editorial Guidelines
Here’s a set of editorial guidelines tailored for creating professional CV templates (for Microsoft Word and Google Docs) to ensure consistency, usability, and quality for your audience on CVTemplatesHub.com:
1. Design & Formatting Standards
Professional Aesthetics:
Use clean, modern layouts with ample white space.
Avoid overly decorative fonts or distracting colors. Stick to classic typefaces (e.g., Calibri, Arial, Helvetica) for readability.
Ensure headings, subheadings, and body text follow a consistent hierarchy (e.g., 14–16pt for headings, 11–12pt for body text).
ATS Compatibility:
Avoid tables, text boxes, or graphics that may confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Use standard section headers (e.g., “Work Experience,” “Skills,” “Education”).
Page Layout:
Margins: 0.5–1 inch (adjustable for content density).
Length: 1–2 pages (include optional “Page 2” headers for continuity).
2. Content Structure
Mandatory Sections:
Header: Name, professional title, contact info (email, phone, LinkedIn).
Professional Summary: 3–4 lines highlighting key achievements/skills.
Work Experience: Reverse-chronological order with bullet points (focus on achievements, not duties).
Education: Degree, institution, dates (include GPA only if >3.5).
Skills: Categorize into “Technical,” “Soft,” or “Industry-Specific” skills.
Optional Sections:
Certifications, Projects, Languages, Volunteer Work.
Placeholder Text:
Use [Job Title] or [Company Name] brackets for customizable fields.
Add brief instructions in gray italics (e.g., “Replace with your accomplishment metrics”).
3. File Technical Requirements
Microsoft Word Templates:
Compatibility: Save as .docx (compatible with Word 2019 and newer).
Styling:
Use built-in Styles (Heading 1, Heading 2) for easy customization.
Enable grids and guides for alignment.
Editable Fields:
Ensure text boxes, fonts, and colors are fully editable.
Avoid locked elements or password protection.
Google Docs Templates:
Setup:
Share via Google Drive with “View Only” access; users must “Make a Copy” to edit.
Use Google Fonts (e.g., Roboto, Lato) for cross-device consistency.
Formatting:
Use tables sparingly; prioritize columns created with tabs or spacing.
Include hyperlinks (e.g., LinkedIn icons) as placeholders.
User Support
Include a “Quick Start Guide” PDF with every download:
How to edit fonts/colors.
Tips for tailoring the template to specific jobs.
Troubleshooting common Word/Google Docs issues.
4. Tone & Style for Template Content
Professional yet Approachable: Avoid jargon; use action verbs (e.g., “Managed,” “Optimized”).
Gender-Neutral Language: Use “they/them” pronouns in placeholder text.
Global Readability: Avoid region-specific terms (e.g., “CV” vs. “Resume” – clarify in guidelines).
By adhering to these guidelines, you’ll ensure your templates are user-friendly, polished, and aligned with job-seeker needs. This builds trust and positions CVTemplatesHub.com as a go-to resource for professional CV creation