Hyperlinks on CVs: Blue, Black, or Text-Only?

## The "1990s Blue" Problem We often see executive CVs that look pristine—until you hit the contact section. There, a bright blue, underlined URL screams **"Microsoft Word Default Settings."** It looks dated. It breaks the visual flow. And it signals that design wasn't a priority. ## The Aesthetic Standard for 2025 Your CV is a document for screen reading, but it shouldn't look like a raw webpage. Here's how to handle hyperlinks properly: ### 1. Remove the https://www It is visual clutter. Everyone knows what LinkedIn is. **Bad:** `https://www.linkedin.com/in/garypine` **Good:** `linkedin.com/in/garypine` ### 2. Kill the Blue Change the font colour to match your body text (Black or Dark Grey). The link should blend with your contact details, not interrupt them. ### 3. Keep the Function In Word or Google Docs, right-click the text and select "Edit Link." Ensure it still clicks through to your profile, even if it looks like plain text. **The Result:** A header that looks *designed*, not just typed. ## The Executive Standard At senior level, every visual element on your CV communicates something. A default blue hyperlink says "I didn't review this document carefully." A styled, functional link says "I sweat the details." Same function. Different impression. ### Link Health Check - [ ] Remove `https://www.` from the display text. - [ ] Change font color from Blue to Black/Grey. - [ ] Remove the underline (if it looks cluttered). - [ ] Right-click and "Test Link" to ensure it opens your profile. --- *For more on CV visual design, explore our [Format & Layout](/format-and-layout) insights.*