Formatting Your Resume for Success

First impressions matter, and your resume's format is the first thing recruiters notice. Cornell University Career Services emphasizes that clean, professional formatting can be the difference between your resume being read or discarded. The goal is to create a document that's easy to scan while highlighting your most important qualifications.

Start with clear section headers using consistent fonts and sizing. Princeton Center for Career Development recommends using 10-12 point font for body text and 14-16 point for headers. Stick to professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Maintain consistent spacing between sections and use bullet points strategically to break up text.

White space is your friend. A cluttered resume overwhelms readers, while adequate margins and spacing guide the eye naturally through your accomplishments. UC Berkeley Career Center suggests using 0.5 to 1-inch margins on all sides.

Keep your resume to one page if you have less than 10 years of experience. Use bold text sparingly to highlight section headers and company names, but avoid underlining, italics, or multiple colors that can distract from your content.

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