Creating Professional CVs and Resumes with LaTeX
Build stunning, ATS-friendly CVs and resumes using LaTeX. This comprehensive guide covers everything from simple resumes to detailed academic CVs with publication lists.Quick start: LaTeX Cloud Studio includes professional CV templates. Choose from modern, academic, or classic designs when creating a new document.Why LaTeX for CVs? Perfect typography, consistent formatting, version control friendly, and easily customizable once set up.
LaTeX vs Word for CVs: Why Choose LaTeX?
Advantages of LaTeX CVs
Professional Typography
Superior font rendering and spacing that stands out to recruiters
Version Control
Track changes, maintain multiple versions, collaborate easily
Consistent Formatting
Automatic alignment and spacing - no manual adjustments needed
Multi-Format Output
Generate PDF, HTML, or even plain text from same source
When to Use LaTeX for Your CV
✅ Perfect for:- Academic CVs with publications
- Technical/STEM positions
- International applications
- Long-term career documentation
- When you need multiple CV versions
- Quick one-time applications
- Non-technical roles requiring creative designs
- When applying through systems requiring Word docs
Quick Start Templates
Modern Professional Resume
Rendered Output
A professionally formatted resume with a clean banking-style layout featuring the name “John Smith” prominently centered at the top with the title “Senior Software Engineer” below it. Contact information including phone, email, GitHub, and LinkedIn links appears in a subtle header bar. The body displays well-organized sections for Professional Summary, Experience (with dated entries showing company, location, and bulleted achievements), Education, Technical Skills (in a clean key-value format), Projects, and Certifications - all with consistent blue accent colors and professional typography.
Academic CV Template
Essential CV Packages
1. ModernCV - Most Popular CV Package
2. EuropassCV - EU Standard Format
3. AltaCV - Modern Single Column
ATS-Friendly CV Best Practices
Making Your LaTeX CV ATS-Compatible
ATS Optimization Checklist
✅ Do:- Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills)
- Include keywords from job description
- Use standard fonts (Arial, Helvetica, Times)
- Save as PDF (unless .docx requested)
- Use bullet points with simple markers
- Spell out acronyms first time
- Use both acronyms and full terms
- Tables, columns, or text boxes
- Headers and footers
- Images, logos, or graphics
- Unusual fonts or characters
- Complex formatting
- Colored text (except hyperlinks)
- Special LaTeX symbols in text
Advanced CV Features
Publication Lists and Citations
Multi-Language CVs
Interactive CV Elements
CV Design Principles
Typography and Spacing
Color Schemes
Industry-Specific Templates
Tech/Software Engineering CV
Key sections:- Technical skills (languages, frameworks, tools)
- GitHub/Portfolio links
- Open source contributions
- Technical projects with metrics
- Certifications
Academic CV
Essential elements:- Education (including thesis titles)
- Publications (peer-reviewed, preprints)
- Grants and funding
- Teaching experience
- Conference presentations
- Professional service
- Awards and honors
Business/MBA CV
Focus areas:- Leadership experience
- Quantifiable achievements (ROI, revenue)
- Strategic initiatives
- Team management
- Business development
- Industry expertise
Maintenance and Version Control
Common CV Mistakes to Avoid
Quick Reference
Essential Packages for CVs
| Package | Purpose | Best For |
|---|---|---|
moderncv | Full CV framework | Quick professional CVs |
europasscv | EU standard format | European applications |
altacv | Modern single column | Creative fields |
biblatex | Publication management | Academic CVs |
fontawesome5 | Icons and symbols | Modern designs |
progressbar | Skill visualizations | Tech resumes |
timeline | Career progression | Executive CVs |
Compilation Tips
Next Steps
CV Templates
Download ready-to-use CV templates
Articles
Create professional documents
Academic Writing
Write your thesis or dissertation
Typography Guide
Master LaTeX typography
Ready to create your CV? Try our CV templates in LaTeX Cloud Studio - no installation needed!
