Why choose us?
Our fixed price sales recruitment service ensures that you remain in control of your recruitment budget.
CV Templates and Format
Page Overview:
At Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment, we show you how to make your CV a clear, compelling tool, not a cluttered resume. This page emphasises precision and simplicity: stick to a clean, logical layout, use conservative formatting unless you're applying for a design role, and keep your CV to two pages. Opt for standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman for better readability and ATS compatibility, and avoid background images or overly creative elements that may be filtered or overlooked by hiring systems. These formatting fundamentals help your experience shine, without confusing or complicating your presentation.
Create Your Perfect CV
Create a standout CV in minutes using our free AI-powered Aaron Wallis CV Builder. Enter your details once and get a polished, professional CV ready to impress employers.
The Purpose of your CV
When writing your CV, you need to maintain focus - always consider the purpose of your CV and what you are trying to achieve. Remember, your CV is your sales tool, your marketing collateral, and your key to a door; the door to an interview and your future career! Don't give a potential employer reasons to screen you out!
Keep it unfussy, logical, and straightforward; keep it clean, punchy, and easy to read and follow. Don't use jargon and don't give a potential employer any reason to make negative assumptions about you. You will want your CV to stand out, but believe it or not, when it comes to CVs, be conservative, stick to standard formats, and, unless you are in the design industry, keep it simple.
Try out our free online CV Builder.
Writing your CV
Your CV will help further your career and reach your aspirations. However, let's also put things into perspective. It shouldn't take more than 6-8 hours to prepare, max.
If you don't have the desire or inclination to write your own CV, it's relatively inexpensive to get someone to write one for you from £150 upwards.
CV Format: What paper should I choose?
Although most CVs are now posted electronically through Job Boards, Websites or Email, some employers still require a paper copy, together with a handwritten cover note. Invest in some decent weighted paper rather than the thin stuff that you borrowed from the photocopier at work! It has been said that printing your CV on coloured paper will help you stand out from the masses and get that all-important interview.
To secure the sales job, it's crucial to present yourself professionally, and I believe that using quality white papers is the key to achieving this. My advice would be that, unless you are in the design industry, be conservative.
CV Format - Background Images
Occasionally, some candidates add a background to their electronic CV to give it a paper-like appearance, but beware – many firewalls will not let it through, the file will be large, and many recruitment software products will not accept it.
CV Templates and CV Style
Google "CV templates" and you'll find a wide range of straightforward and simple templates to follow. Save yourself time by using a 'classic' CV template – unless you are applying for roles where you need to demonstrate your design flair or eccentricity – don't be 'wacky'.
My advice is to let other people be the groundbreakers in CV design and let yours be the one that gets the interviews and secures the job!
The optimum length for your CV
Try to keep your CV to two pages.
Recruiters and employers read hundreds of CVs, and you don't want yours to be looked over on the basis that you just can't get to the point. If you find that you have a lot more to say, my advice is to list the most important factors on the CV and save the rest for the interview.
If you believe it will support your case for a specific application, please attach a separate document as an appendix, include case studies as a separate attachment, or provide specific details in the cover letter.
To ensure that you don't make your CV unnecessarily lengthy, visit the following pages for tips on how to write an effective CV that is succinct and clear:
Graphics and photographs in your CV
Personally, I quite like photos – most hate them! A tasteful passport photo can add a sense of personality to a document which can otherwise be devoid of character. You should bear in mind, however, that no employer will ever employ you based on the photo. Regardless of how attractive you may look, it will never be a factor in your employability.
If you choose the wrong photograph, it could actually be a huge hindrance. A photo of you on a night out with friends won't make the right impression on a potential employer. My advice would be that using a photograph could be a reason for people to make assumptions, so don't bother unless it is relevant to the application.
Use a subtle graphic or watermark if you choose to do so, BUT keep it simple and appropriate; less is more!
The best fonts for your CV
Use a standard TrueType font. Firstly, it looks better as it is a regularly used font, and secondly, all TrueType fonts will be picked up by OCR (optical recognition) software. Never send a 'hard copy' of your CV in a font that is not TrueType (most are nowadays in standard Office products and can be identified by a TT next to the font). Note that you can't go wrong with Times New Roman, Arial, Franklin, and Tahoma (and Courier/Century Schoolbook, but they're looking somewhat dated now).
Date published: 2nd August 2025
Search jobs
With hundreds of jobs available, now is the time to look for your perfect position
by Sophie Jones
Associate Director
About the author
Sophie Jones
Sophie is an Associate Director at Aaron Wallis, and her main focus is to help clients find the best sales talent while ensuring that candidates secure the best professional fit. Sophie doesn't just fill vacancies; she strives to understand her clients' business goals, and she identifies candidates who will not only excel in the role but also contribute to the company's long-term success. Maintaining open communication is crucial, and Sophie ensures that clients are well-informed throughout the recruitment process, addressing any concerns and ensuring that expectations are met. She's a trusted advisor, and her ability to build bridges, solve problems, and advocate for success makes her an invaluable asset in the World of sales recruitment.
Please call us to discuss your next move
From our blog
Our employers say...
Our candidates say...