LaTeX for CVs and Résumés (with Templates)

Introduction

A CV or résumé is often your first impression on recruiters . So presentation matters. While tools like Word or Google Docs are common, LaTeX offers unmatched precision and professional design for technical résumés, especially in academia, engineering, and data science.

In this guide, we’ll explain why you should use LaTeX for CVs, share recommended templates, and provide tips to build a résumé that stands out.

( If you’re new to LaTeX, check out our beginner guide on LaTeX Basic Commands).

Why Use LaTeX for CVs?

• Clean formatting: LaTeX ensures perfect alignment and spacing.
• Customizable: You can tweak fonts, margins, and sections easily.
• Focus on content: No worrying about layouts shifting like in Word.
• Academic standard: Widely used in research, PhD applications, and scientific CVs.

(See why many professionals prefer LaTeX on Overleaf’s CV templates page).

Best LaTeX CV Templates

Here are some widely used templates:

1. ModernCV – A popular and highly customizable LaTeX class for résumés.
   

\documentclass[11pt,a4paper,sans]{moderncv}
\moderncvstyle{banking}
\moderncvcolor{blue}
\firstname{John}
\familyname{Doe}
\begin{document}
\makecvtitle
\section{Experience}
\cventry{2020--2023}{Software Engineer}{TechCorp}{}{Developed AI tools.}{}
\end{document}

2. Awesome-CV – Stylish template perfect for industry applications.

3. ClassicCV – Minimalist template suitable for academic CVs.

( For more styling, check our guide on LaTeX Figure Commands).

Tips for Writing CVs in LaTeX

• Keep it one page (unless academic/research).
• Use clear headings (\section{Education}).
• Highlight key achievements with bullet points.
• Use professional fonts (default LaTeX fonts are fine, but you can load \usepackage{helvet}).
• Export to PDF for final submission.

Common Issues When Making CVs in LaTeX

• Alignment problems: Ensure you use environments like tabularx or templates with built-in spacing.
• Package errors: Install required packages (moderncv, fontawesome for icons).
• Compiling issues: Use XeLaTeX if the template requires custom fonts.

Conclusion

Using LaTeX for CVs and résumés ensures a polished, professional layout that’s difficult to achieve with traditional word processors. With templates like ModernCV and Awesome-CV, you can build an application-ready document that stands out to recruiters.

(Explore more free templates on LaTeX Templates).

FAQs on LaTeX for CVs

Q1. Is LaTeX good for making a résumé?
Yes — especially in academia, research, and technical jobs, where clean formatting and precision are valued.

Q2. Do I need coding knowledge to write a CV in LaTeX?
Basic LaTeX knowledge helps, but ready-made templates make it beginner-friendly.

Q3. Which LaTeX compiler should I use for CVs?
PDFLaTeX works for most, but XeLaTeX is needed if your template uses custom fonts.

Q4. How do I add a photo to my LaTeX CV?
Most templates allow it with:

\photo[64pt][0.4pt]{profile.jpg}

Q5. Can I use LaTeX CVs outside academia?
Absolutely. Templates like Awesome-CV are designed for corporate and tech jobs too.

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