How to Make a CV on Pages: A Complete Guide

Pros and Cons of Using Pages for CV Creation

There are various benefits to using Pages for your CV, but it’s also useful to be mindful of the application’s shortcomings. Take a look at the pros and cons of using Pages for your CV below:

Advantages of Creating a CV in Pages

If you’re considering using Pages to write your CV, here are some of the benefits you’ll experience:

• Elegant templates: The CV templates available on Pages are elegant and professional. Each template uses attractive design features, well-structured layouts, engaging fonts and subtle use of white space to help your achievements and skills to stand out.
• Easy editing: Each Pages CV template comes pre-populated with dummy text that’s easy to swap out with your written content. As such, they’re straightforward to edit without disrupting the layout or design. Formatting options within Pages are also easy to navigate, so if you want to change your font, text size or other features, there’s a simple menu system to follow.
• Variety of file formats: While Pages files won’t open on a Windows PC, you can easily save your Pages CV in various more accessible file formats. This includes the ability to export documents in Word format, as PDFs or as rich text or plain text files.
• Sharing capabilities: By connecting Pages to your iCloud account, you can easily share your CV and collaborate on it with other contributors or editors. You can also share documents direct from Pages, using the Mail app, Airdrop, Messages or other file sharing apps.

Disadvantages of Pages for Resumes

It’s also important to be aware of the potential drawbacks of using Pages to write your CV. Here are a few disadvantages to consider:

• Limited template selection: Although all the CV templates Pages offers are well-designed and professional-looking, there is a somewhat limited selection. Pages offers 10 basic CV templates in its templates menu, meaning there’s a fair chance of your CV looking similar to those of other applicants.
• Constraints on additional sections and customisation: there are constraints to customising your Pages CV and adding more sections. What you see is what you get when it comes to the Pages CV templates.
• ATS compliance: If you save your CV as a Pages file, it’s unlikely to be compliant with ATS applications. This means that automated CV scanning tools won’t be able to read your CV, which could effectively rule you out of the running for a job before the hiring manager has even had the chance to read your application.
• Pages is limited compared to the alternatives: Overall, while Pages does offer some attractive CV templates, the application is limited compared to some other available CV makers. For example, CVwizard’s CV maker offers a greater choice of templates with far more flexibility to adapt and edit your CV to match your style.

Using Pages CV Templates

The 10 CV templates available on Pages offer subtle, simple designs with variations to suit your personal style, and the role you’re applying for. Here’s an overview of the CV templates available on Pages:

Curriculum Vitae: A simple, elegant CV template with an offset two-column layout and excellent use of white space for pared-back, understated style.

Classic CV: A reverse-chronological CV template with a traditional layout and a serif font, which is ideal for formal professional applications.

Professional CV: A subtle reverse-chronological CV with understated use of colour in its headings and a formal serif font.

Contemporary CV: A bold, stylish CV template with offset text and attractive colour accents, perfect for modern professions.

Personal CV: An engaging yet minimalist CV layout with simple colour accented headings and sympathetic use of white space.

Modern CV: A stylish, contemporary CV layout with a reverse-chronological structure and bold headings, making for an accessible, readable CV.

Business CV: An understated, formal CV template with sleek styling and a sans serif font for a modern, readable look and feel.

Elegant CV: A refined, distinguished CV design with centred headings and generous borders, giving the text space to breathe.

Bold type CV: A striking CV design with a modern edge, including an eye-catching heading and a well-structured layout.

Informal CV: A relaxed, understated CV template with modern design elements and an original layout.

Creating a CV in Pages Without a Template

While Pages has several appealing CV templates to choose from, it’s also possible to create your CV from scratch using the formatting options available. Follow these tips to create your CV on Pages from scratch:

Choose readable fonts

The fonts you choose are critical for ensuring the clarity and readability of your CV. Opt for simple serif or sans serif fonts for your body text, and consider selecting an alternative font for your headings, to make them stand out.

Format your CV

Use margins, line spacing, columns and sections to structure your CV in a way that reflects your personal style, and creates a CV that’s as pleasant to read as possible.

Add colour accents

Using contrasting colours for your headings can make them stand out, while the use of coloured lines or shaded columns can also add eye-catching elements to your CV. If you’re using coloured text, ensure you choose a colour that contrasts sufficiently with your background.

Add the essential sections

Include your CV header, a CV summary, your work experience, education and a skills section. If you’re using a traditional format, your work experience should come directly under your summary. If you’re using a functional format, add your skills and education above your work experience section.

Include optional sections

Supplement your CV by adding optional sections such as certifications, languages, internships, volunteer work and hobbies and interests. Any of these can be useful in showing you have the skills required for the job.

Tailor your CV

Ensure each job application is unique and matched to the job description. Think about the required skills and experience, and make sure your CV showcases these. A tailored CV is far more likely to succeed than a general CV that you use for every application.

Highlight your achievements

The best CVs focus on achievements and skills over experience and responsibilities. Highlight the major achievements of your career, and offer evidence to show how your skills contributed to those successes.

Proofread your CV

Before you send your CV, proofread it thoroughly and correct for any errors in spelling or grammar. A CV with basic errors in it can really draw your professionalism into question and undermine your chances of success.

Save and export your CV

Save your Pages CV as a file type that’s compatible with ATS applications and other types of computer. A PDF format is the most secure and accessible document type, but you could also choose a Word format if you want your CV to be editable. If you’ve created your Pages CV on iCloud, you can share it and add collaborators.

Give your final CV a clear, professional filename, including your name, the date and the job title of the role you’re applying for. For example, ‘Joel McCormack_Project Manager CV_14 10 24’. 

"Although all the CV templates Pages offers are well-designed and professional-looking, there is a somewhat limited selection."

Key Takeaways for Making a CV on Pages

Pages offers some appealing CV templates with clean, contemporary design elements to help your CV stand out. However, there are some limitations with using Pages to create your CV, and unless you export your CV as a PDF or Word document, you might find your application is inaccessible to some people. CVwizard offers an accessible, easy-to-use alternative to Pages, with a wealth of tools, templates and CV examples to help you create a winning CV. Sign up today and follow the simple steps to get started.