A "modern" CV in 2026 means one thing above all: parseable by ATS and skimmable by humans in under 10 seconds. Flashy design is out. Clean typography and keyword-dense content is in.
The seven rules of a modern CV
- Single column. Not two columns, not a sidebar. The parser reads top-to-bottom, left-to-right.
- Left-aligned. Centred text and justified paragraphs look dated.
- Modern system font. Calibri, Inter, Arial. 10-11pt body, 13-14pt headings.
- Generous whitespace. Line-height 1.4-1.5. Margins at least 1.5cm each side.
- Bullet points, not paragraphs. Three to five bullets per role, each starting with an action verb.
- Measurable achievements, not duties. "Reduced incident response time by 42%" beats "Responsible for monitoring systems".
- Section headings as text. Bold or 2pt larger, not graphics.
What's out in 2026
- Infographic CVs with charts and ratings bars. ATS cannot read them.
- Photos. Nigerian + UK + most EU employers now prefer no photo (bias reduction).
- Decorative fonts (Times New Roman reads as dated; Comic Sans is instant rejection).
- Two-column layouts with a sidebar.
- Objective statements that start with "To work in a challenging environment".
- "References available on request" without the referees being lined up.
What's in
- Short professional summary that names the role you want (3-4 lines).
- Keyword-dense skills section matching the job advert.
- A projects or achievements section for roles under five years' experience.
- LinkedIn URL in the header - makes your CV verifiable.
- Links to work samples (GitHub, portfolio, published articles) where relevant.
The scanning test
Put your CV in front of a friend. Ask them to tell you - in 10 seconds - what role you want, where you work now, and your strongest skill. If they cannot, your CV is not modern; it's just long.
See our Nigerian CV format guide for the full section-by-section walkthrough, or browse live openings to find your next role.