Cv Colors

Colour guides the eye before the word is read, and misusing it pulls attention away from the content. This guide covers using colour to serve reading rather than decorate it.

The steps

1. Choose one accent colour suited to your field
2. Use it only for headings and separator rules
3. Keep body text black or dark grey
4. Check there is enough contrast between text and background
5. Print a black-and-white copy and confirm the hierarchy still reads

Practical tips

• Blue and grey are the safest choices in most sectors
• Avoid red and yellow for text — they tire the eye
• Never let colour alone carry meaning
• Test the CV on a low-brightness screen

Common mistakes to avoid

• Garish colours that distract from the content
• Light text on a light background, which is unreadable
• Copying corporate colours even in traditional sectors

Frequently asked questions

Is colour acceptable on a CV?

Yes, in moderation. One accent colour alongside black suits most sectors. Traditional fields such as law and finance prefer black and white.

Does colour affect ATS parsing?

The systems do not read colour, but they can misread light text on a coloured background. Keep text dark on a light background.