Choose a clean, professional template for a Bilingual role. Use reverse-chronological layout so your work and language use appear clearly to hiring managers and to applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Keep it short. One page works well if you have under 10 years of relevant experience. Use two pages only when you have long, relevant bilingual work history or published translation samples.
Pick ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Use 10–12pt for body text and 14–16pt for section headers. Keep margins wide enough so the page breathes and use consistent line spacing.
Use standard headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Education, Language Skills, Certifications, and Tools. Put language proficiency right after the summary so reviewers see it fast.
Avoid flashy designs, heavy color, or multi-column layouts. Those elements often break when ATS parses the file. Use simple bolding and bullets to highlight achievements like interpreted meetings, translated documents, or language program development.
Watch common mistakes. Don’t hide language tests or certifications in long paragraphs. Don’t use images, headers in odd places, or non-standard fonts. Don’t cram the page; let each role show a clear impact tied to language use.