Choose a clean, professional template that puts your teaching and research first. Use a reverse-chronological layout so hiring committees see your recent roles and publications quickly. That layout reads well and parses cleanly for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Keep length tight. One page usually fits early-career instructors. You can use two pages if you have long, relevant teaching and research records. Edit ruthlessly so each line proves your fit for a French Professor role.
Pick ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Use 10–12pt body text and 14–16pt headers. Keep margins wide and add white space between sections. This helps readers scan courses, publications, and language skills fast.
Use clear section headings: Contact, Academic Appointments, Teaching, Research & Publications, Languages, Education, Service. List courses taught with semester and enrollment. Bullet your key achievements under each role.
Avoid complex columns, images, or heavy color. Those elements often break ATS or print poorly. Avoid unusual fonts or tiny text. Consistent spacing and simple bullets beat fancy graphics for both committees and software.
Watch common mistakes: mixing fonts, inconsistent date formats, vague bullets, and long paragraphs about duties. Quantify when you can. Say “taught 120 students per year” or “supervised 6 graduate theses.” Those details make your record tangible.
Finish by saving as a clean PDF and a plain-text version for online forms. That keeps formatting intact and helps you get past automated filters.