# Resume Formatter

Ensure ATS-friendly formatting and create clean scannable layouts

- Repository: https://github.com/Paramchoudhary/ResumeSkills (2987 stars)
- Category: Engineering
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-06-19
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add Paramchoudhary/ResumeSkills --skill resume-formatter -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add Paramchoudhary/ResumeSkills --skill resume-formatter -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add Paramchoudhary/ResumeSkills --skill resume-formatter -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add Paramchoudhary/ResumeSkills --skill resume-formatter -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Ensure ATS-friendly formatting and create clean scannable layouts

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# 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

The rest: https://github.com/Paramchoudhary/ResumeSkills/blob/HEAD/skills/resume-formatter/SKILL.md