The Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Formatting

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Formatting your resume properly is crucial for making a strong first impression and maximizing your chances in today’s competitive job market. Here are the key dos and don’ts of modern resume formatting:

Do’s of Resume Formatting

  • Use a Clean, Minimal Layout: Opt for a simple, easy-to-read design with plenty of white space. Clean layouts help both hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) quickly understand your qualifications.

  • Keep It to One Page: Unless you have extensive experience, stick to a single page to ensure your content is concise and focused.

  • Use Professional Fonts: Choose classic, sans-serif fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Roboto in 10–12 point size for readability.

  • Apply Consistent Formatting: Use the same style for headings, bullet points, and dates throughout your resume. Consistency increases scan ability.

  • Prioritize Achievements: Highlight your accomplishments using bullet points with quantifiable results, rather than just listing job duties.

  • Include Relevant Keywords: Strategically place industry-specific skills and keywords to pass ATS screens and appeal to recruiters.

  • Use Standard Section Headings: Clear, recognized headers like “Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills” help with ATS parsing and navigation.

  • Save as PDF or DOCX: Submit your resume in widely accepted formats to ensure compatibility with recruitment systems.

  • Ask for Feedback: Have others review your resume for clarity and appearance before submitting.

Don’ts of Resume Formatting

  • Don’t Use Unusual Fonts or Colors: Avoid decorative or script fonts, excessive colors, or graphics, which reduce readability and can confuse ATS.

  • Don’t Use Tables, Columns, or Images: These design elements often confuse applicant tracking systems, leading to parsing errors.

  • Don’t Overcrowd the Page: Avoid dense blocks of text. Use clear sections and space to make your resume skimmable.

  • Don’t List Irrelevant Experience: Keep content tailored to the job; remove unrelated or outdated roles to maintain focus and value.

  • Don’t Exceed Two Pages: Unless absolutely necessary (for very experienced professionals), don’t go beyond two pages.

  • Don’t Use Uncommon File Types: Avoid submitting resumes as JPEG or PNG images, which can’t be read by ATS.

  • Don’t Forget Contact Details: Always include up-to-date email and phone information—don’t make it hard for recruiters to reach you.