Choose your format
There are three main formats. Pick based on your experience and your goal.
- Chronological — experience listed in reverse order. Best for steady careers and most job seekers.
- Functional — skills listed first, experience second. Use for career changes or long gaps.
- Combination — a skills summary followed by chronological experience. Use when both are strong.
When in doubt, choose chronological. It's what recruiters expect and what ATS systems parse most reliably.
Length
- One page — under ten years of experience, career changers, recent graduates.
- Two pages — professionals with 10+ years of experience and multiple significant roles.
- Three or more — academic CVs and research contexts only.
Length is a signal. A one-page resume that uses every line well reads as focused. A two-page resume that's half-empty reads as padded.
Margins and page size
- Use A4 (210×297 mm) or US Letter (8.5×11 in), whichever is standard in your target market.
- Margins between 0.5 and 1 inch (12–25 mm). Below half an inch feels cramped. Above one inch wastes space.
- Consistent margins on all sides.
Typography
- Body text — 10.5 to 12 pt. Anything smaller strains the eye. Anything larger wastes space.
- Name — 16 to 22 pt.
- Section headings — 12 to 14 pt.
- Fonts — one family throughout. Sans-serif (Inter, Calibri, Arial, Helvetica) reads cleanly on screen. Serif (Georgia, Times New Roman) reads well in print and academic contexts.
- Line height — 1.15 to 1.5. Tighter for compact resumes, looser for readable long-form.
Spacing and alignment
- Left-align everything except your name and contact block, which can be centered.
- Space between sections should be clearly larger than space between lines within a section.
- Avoid justified text — it creates uneven word spacing.
- Use a subtle rule or underline beneath section headings to organize visually.
Color and graphics
Color can help, but only if used sparingly. One accent color — usually for headings or a thin rule — is enough. Avoid:
- Multiple accent colors.
- Colored backgrounds behind text.
- Photos, icons, or graphics that contain important information.
- Charts or skill bars, unless the tool parses them as text.
File format and file name
- Export as a text-based PDF. Never a scan or image.
- File name: Firstname-Lastname-Resume.pdf. No spaces, no dates, no versions.
- Some application portals explicitly request .docx. Follow their instruction when given.
- Keep the exported file under 1 MB where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to use a two-column resume?
Visually yes, technically risky. Many ATS parsers read columns out of order or merge them. If you use columns, keep important content in the main column and use the sidebar for skills or contact details only.
Should section headings be uppercase?
Either uppercase or title case works. What matters is consistency — pick one and use it for every section.
Can I use a custom font?
You can, but if the recipient's computer doesn't have it, your PDF will substitute it and the layout may shift. Stick to standard system fonts unless you're certain about rendering.
How much white space should I leave?
Enough that sections feel separated. If your resume looks like a wall of text, add space between sections. If it looks sparse, expand your bullets with concrete outcomes rather than adding filler.
Should I include my photo?
In most markets, no. Photos can trigger ATS parse failures and introduce bias. Exceptions: some European and Asian markets where a photo is expected.