12 changes to make your resume easy to read
12 Tips to Make Your Resume Easy to Read and Visually Appealing
When recruiters review resumes, they often skim for key details. Using a clean, readable format increases the chances that they’ll notice your most relevant skills and experience. Here are some formatting tips to ensure your resume stands out and makes an impact.
1. Align All Text to the Left
Left-aligned text improves readability, as the eye naturally returns to the left margin when moving to the next line. Avoid centering any text, including section headings, to create a more organized, professional look.
2. Right-Align Dates and Locations
Separate the company name, job title, location, and employment dates by aligning dates and locations to the right. This approach keeps your information organized and allows recruiters to easily spot your employment timeline. Most word processors allow you to set up a right-tab to make this adjustment.
3. Skip Justified Alignment
Justified text can create uneven spaces between words, which may hurt readability. Stick with left alignment for your bullets and text to maintain a neat, easy-to-read layout.
4. Use a Uniform Font Size
Except for your name, which can be slightly larger, keep the font size consistent throughout your resume. Instead of using different font sizes for emphasis, try bolding, italicizing, or using all-caps sparingly to highlight important elements.
5. Choose Either Roles or Companies to Bold
Bolding certain information helps with skimming, but avoid overdoing it. Choose to bold either your job titles or company names based on what you want to emphasize. If your job progression tells a story, bold the titles; if your experience is mostly internships, bolding company names may be more effective.
6. Use ALL-CAPS Sparingly
All-caps can help draw attention to key sections like headers, but it’s harder to read in large amounts. Reserve this for headings or your name to ensure readability.
7. Lead with Strong Words in Bullets
Recruiters often skim the first few words of bullet points before deciding to read further. Start each bullet with impactful, concise language to capture attention immediately. Action verbs like “Led,” “Managed,” or “Developed” can help make a strong impression.
8. Keep Bullet Points Under Two Lines
Aim to keep your bullet points short and to the point. Two lines per bullet is ideal; this way, each point remains digestible and easy to skim.
9. Use Numerals for Numbers
Quantify your achievements to give context to your impact, and use digits instead of words (e.g., “30%” instead of “thirty percent”). This approach saves space and improves readability.
10. Include a Dedicated “Skills” Section
Listing all relevant skills in one section ensures they won’t be overlooked. Highlighting skills both here and within job descriptions gives recruiters a clear view of your abilities.
11. Maintain Consistent Formatting
If you’re using creative ways to fit information onto a single page, be sure formatting stays consistent across sections. This makes skimming easier and helps recruiters quickly locate details they may want to review.
12. Leave Some White Space
White space, or empty space on your resume, enhances readability by providing visual breaks between sections. It signals transitions and helps important areas, like your name and skills, stand out.
By following these formatting tips, you’ll create a resume that’s both easy to read and visually appealing, increasing your chances of making a strong impression on recruiters.