Pick a layout that highlights recent trading roles and quantitative work. Use a reverse-chronological layout so your most relevant experience appears first.
Keep length tight. One page works if you have under ten years of trading experience. Use two pages only if you have long, relevant track records and notable projects.
Choose fonts that parse well for applicant tracking systems. Use Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt.
Give each section breathing room. Use consistent margins and line spacing so a recruiter can scan positions and P&L or risk metrics quickly. White space helps your numbers jump out.
Avoid heavy graphics, multi-column tricks, or odd fonts. Those elements often break ATS parsing. Simple bulleted lists and clear headings work best.
Use standard headings for easy scanning: Contact, Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications, Projects. Put trade results, strategy names, and tools under each role.
List metrics up front. Show realized P&L, average daily volume, Sharpe, or trade hit rate. Keep bullets short and start with action verbs like "led," "optimized," or "reduced."
Common mistakes traders make: long paragraphs, missing dates, and inconsistent number formats. Avoid screenshots of tables and large logos. Also avoid overusing color or fancy icons that hide content from parsing tools.