Resume Formatting Best Practices for 2026

Good formatting doesn't replace strong content—but it makes your resume easy to read and signals professionalism. Here's how to set up margins, fonts, spacing, and sections so recruiters and ATS can scan it quickly.

Margins and White Space

Use 0.5"–1" margins on all sides. Too little margin looks cramped; too much wastes space. Leave space between sections so the eye can move easily. A single column is best for both humans and ATS.

Fonts

Stick to common, readable fonts: Arial, Calibri, Georgia, or similar. Size 10–12 pt for body text, 14–18 pt for your name, 11–12 pt for section headings. Avoid decorative or script fonts. If you're sending a PDF, embed the font so it displays consistently.

Section Order

Put the most relevant information first. Common order: Contact info → Summary or objective (if you use one) → Experience → Education → Skills. For technical roles, Skills or Projects might go higher. For career changers, a strong summary can lead. Keep section headings clear and consistent (e.g. "Work Experience," "Education").

Bullets and Consistency

Use bullet points for roles and achievements. Start each with a strong verb. Keep tense consistent (past for old jobs, present for current). Use the same style for dates (e.g. "Mar 2024 – Present" or "March 2024 – Present") throughout.

ATS-Friendly Formatting

Avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers, and multiple columns for important content—many ATS systems strip or misread them. Use standard section titles. Save as .docx or PDF depending on what the job posting asks for.

The Bottom Line

Clean margins, a simple font, clear section order, and consistent bullets make your resume scannable and professional. When in doubt, choose clarity over creativity so both humans and systems can read it easily.