Resume Formatting Guide — Fonts, Margins, and Layout That Work

Good resume formatting can make the difference between passing ATS screening and getting rejected. Here's exactly what works.

Font: Use Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, or Times New Roman. Font size: 10-12pt for body text, 14-16pt for your name, 12-14pt for section headers.

Margins: 0.5 to 1 inch on all sides. Don't go below 0.5 inches or the ATS may struggle with content near the edges.

Line Spacing: 1.0 to 1.15 line spacing for body text. Add a little extra space between sections.

File Format: DOCX is the most ATS-compatible. PDF works with modern ATS but older systems may struggle.

Section Order: Contact Info → Professional Summary → Experience → Education → Skills → Certifications (if applicable).

Color: Black text on white background. No colored text, backgrounds, or borders.

Headers/Footers: Avoid putting important information in headers or footers — some ATS systems miss them.

File Name: 'FirstName_LastName_Resume.docx' — professional and easy to identify.

Pro tip: Use Unfiltered AI to get a perfectly formatted, ATS-optimized resume. Upload your resume, paste the job description, and download a tailored DOCX.