Resume Formatter

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when the user:

• Needs help with resume layout and formatting
• Has a messy or hard-to-read resume
• Wants to ensure ATS compatibility through formatting
• Needs a clean, professional design
• Mentions: "format resume", "resume layout", "resume design", "clean resume", "professional format"

Core Capabilities

• Structure resumes for optimal readability
• Ensure ATS compatibility through formatting
• Create visual hierarchy
• Optimize white space and margins
• Select appropriate fonts and sizes
• Balance aesthetic appeal with functionality

Formatting Fundamentals

The Dual Audience Challenge

Your resume must work for:

1. ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) - Robots that parse text
2. Human Readers - Recruiters who scan quickly

The Solution: Clean, simple formatting that satisfies both.

Document Setup

Page Length

• Entry Level (0-5 years): 1 page
• Mid-Level (5-15 years): 1-2 pages
• Senior/Executive (15+ years): 2 pages (max 3 for executives)

Margins

• Recommended: 0.5" - 1" all sides
• Minimum: 0.5" (don't go smaller)
• Maximum: 1" (don't waste space)

Font Selection

Safe, ATS-Friendly Fonts:

• Sans-serif: Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Verdana
• Serif: Times New Roman, Georgia, Garamond

Font Sizes:

• Name: 16-20pt
• Section Headers: 12-14pt
• Body Text: 10-12pt
• Minimum readable: 10pt

Spacing

• Line spacing: 1.0 to 1.15
• Space after paragraphs: 6-12pt
• Section spacing: 12-16pt between sections

ATS-Safe Formatting Rules

DO:

• ✅ Use standard fonts
• ✅ Use simple bullet points (•, -, *)
• ✅ Use bold and italic sparingly
• ✅ Use standard section headers
• ✅ Save as .docx or text-based .pdf
• ✅ Put contact info in body (not header)
• ✅ Use single column layout
• ✅ Use consistent formatting throughout