Resource Guide
Formatting rules that actually matter.
Every rule here exists for a reason: readability for a human, or parseability for an ATS. Eight categories, side by side.
Do
Don't
Fonts
Use a clean, widely available font like Calibri, Arial, or Georgia at 10.5–12pt for body text.
Use decorative, script, or overly condensed fonts that strain readability or fail to render on other machines.
Length
Keep it to one page under ~7 years of experience, two pages beyond that.
Pad a one-page-worthy resume to two pages just to look more substantial.
Margins & Spacing
Use 0.5–1 inch margins and consistent spacing between sections so the page doesn't feel cramped.
Shrink margins to 0.3 inches to cram in more content — it reads as dense and hard to scan.
Headings
Use clear, standard headings — Work Experience, Education, Skills — in a consistent size and weight.
Use creative or vague headings like "My Journey" that a human or a parser has to decode.
File Type
Save and submit as .docx or a text-based PDF exported directly from Word or Google Docs.
Submit a scanned image, a flattened design-tool export, or a .pages file.
Layout
Use a single column with a clear top-to-bottom reading order.
Use multi-column layouts, text boxes, or tables to organize content — parsers can scramble the order.
Color
Use one accent color sparingly — for your name or section headers — on a white background.
Use a dark or colored background block behind your name; it can hurt print and parser readability.
Bullet Points
Use simple round or square bullets, 2–4 lines per role, focused on outcomes.
Use custom icon bullets, checkmarks, or emoji as bullet markers.
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