Expert Resume Advice

Resume Writing Tips That Get You Hired

Learn proven strategies to create a professional resume that passes ATS and impresses recruiters. Used by 50,000+ job seekers.

Create Your Resume Now

No signup • Free forever • ATS-optimized

2.3x

More Interviews

92%

ATS Pass Rate

5 Min

Setup Time

50K+

Happy Users

Resume Formatting Best Practices

Clean, professional formatting makes your resume easy to read and ATS-friendly

DO: Best Practices

Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
Keep font size 10-12pt for body, 14-16pt for headers
Use 0.5-1 inch margins on all sides
Stick to one page for <10 years experience
Use clear section headers (Work Experience, Education)
Include white space for readability
Use consistent formatting throughout
Save as PDF or .docx format

DON'T: Avoid These

Don't use fancy or decorative fonts
Avoid font sizes below 10pt or above 12pt
Don't use tables or text boxes
Skip headers/footers (ATS can't read them)
Avoid using color (except subtle accents)
Don't use photos (unless required)
Skip graphics, icons, or images
Avoid inconsistent formatting

Pro Tip:

Use our ATS-optimized templates to automatically get the perfect formatting. All our templates follow these best practices and pass 92% of ATS systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common resume questions answered

How long should a resume be?

For most professionals, one page is ideal. If you have 10+ years of experience or are in academia/research, two pages is acceptable. Focus on relevance over length.

Should I include references on my resume?

No. References take up valuable space. Instead, have a separate reference sheet ready and provide it when requested. Everyone knows you have references.

What's the best resume format?

Reverse-chronological is most common and preferred by recruiters. List your most recent experience first. Functional formats can raise red flags about employment gaps.

Should I list all my jobs?

No. Focus on relevant experience from the last 10-15 years. Older or irrelevant jobs can be summarized or omitted unless they're highly relevant.

How many bullet points per job?

3-5 bullet points for recent positions, 2-3 for older ones. Focus on achievements, not just duties. Quality over quantity.

Create your resume in 5 minutes

Ready to Build Your Perfect Resume?

Use our AI-powered builder with these tips built-in. Get real-time ATS scoring and optimization.