How to Set Resume Margins for Easy Readability

Resume margins seem like a minor detail, but they play an important role in the overall effectiveness of your resume.

Why? Because margins frame your resume with necessary white space. This not only enhances readability but also gives your resume a professional look.

If margins are too narrow, your resume can look overcrowded. If they’re too wide, your resume might seem empty.

In this guide, we’ll dive deeper into how to optimize your resume margins for maximum impact and readability.

What is the standard margin size for a resume?

Typically, resume margins are set at one inch on all sides. This size is widely accepted and provides a clean, readable layout that is neither too cramped nor too spacious.

Here’s an example of a standard resume with one-inch margins on all sides:

One-inch margins also make your resume easy to read for Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS. This is the computer software that most companies use today to collect, sort, and filter the resumes they receive.

If an ATS has trouble reading your resume, it probably won’t be seen by a hiring manager and you won’t get the job. This is why it’s so important to make sure your resume is ATS-friendly.

Use a resume scanner to ensure ATS compatibility

To see how ATS-friendly your resume is, run it through Jobscan’s resume scanner. It will alert you to any issues, including margin errors, that will prevent an ATS from reading your resume.

You’ll also receive a score that tells you how closely your resume matches the description of the job you’re applying for. The higher your score the more likely you are to get an interview.

Here’s an example of a Jobscan report. This section deals with formatting, including margins:

Jobscan's match report showing resume score and formatting.

You can run your resume through Jobscan’s resume scanner for free here.

Customizing resume margins for different industries

Resume margins can vary slightly depending on the industry. Here are some basic guidelines:

Margins for standard professional resumes

In traditional industries like law, finance, or healthcare, stick to the standard one-inch resume margins. This maintains a professional look and aligns with the expectations of these industries. It’s also ATS-friendly.

Margins for creative resumes

For creative fields such as graphic design, advertising, and digital media, you can experiment with slightly narrower or wider resume margins. This can showcase your design skills, but you must make sure your resume is still highly readable.

Margins for executive resumes

Executive resumes can benefit from slightly wider margins. This adds a touch of sophistication and provides a clean, uncluttered space to present your experience and achievements.

Step-by-step guide to setting resume margins

The process of setting resume margins can vary depending on the word-processing software you’re using.

Here’s a simple guide on how to set or customize margins in various popular word-processing programs.

How to set resume margins in Microsoft Word

Open your document in Microsoft Word.
Click on the “Layout” or “Page Layout” tab.
Click on “Margins” and select one of the preset margin sizes or choose “Custom Margins” to enter specific measurements.
Ensure that all margins are set uniformly for a balanced look.

How to set resume margins in Google Docs

Open your document in Google Docs.
Click on “File”, then “Page Setup”.
In the Page Setup dialog box, enter your desired margin sizes in the top, bottom, left, and right fields.
Click “OK” to apply the changes.

How to set resume margins in LibreOffice Writer

Open your document in LibreOffice Writer.
Click on the “Format” menu at the top of the screen.
From the drop-down menu, choose “Page Style” to open the Page Style window.
In this window, select the “Page” tab to access margin settings.
Under the “Margins” section, input your preferred margin sizes.
Click ‘OK’ to save the settings.

How to set resume margins in iWork Pages

Open your document in iWork Pages.
Click on the “Document” button in the top right corner.
Under the “Document Margins” section, use the up and down arrows or input the values directly to set your desired margins.
Ensure consistency across all sides for a professional look.

Beyond margins: Comprehensive resume formatting

Resume margins are important, but so are other formatting elements. Font style, text alignment, and spacing also contribute to the readability and visual appeal of your resume.

Choose the right font style and size

Select a resume font that is professional and easy to read. Classic choices like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri in a size between 10 and 12 points work well.

The font size for your name and section headers can be slightly larger to draw attention to them.

Align your text properly

Align your text to the left. This is the most readable and standard alignment for resumes. It’s also the most ATS-friendly resume format.

Centered text can be used for your name and contact information at the top, but avoid using it for large sections of text.

Avoid justifying text on your resume as it can create irregular spacing between words, making it harder to read.

Optimize your paragraph and section spacing

Keep your paragraph spacing consistent. A good practice is to use single spacing for your content with an extra space between each section. This will differentiate your resume sections without causing clutter.

Avoid headers and footers, as some ATS systems have trouble reading them.

Determine how long your resume should be

If you have less than 10 years of experience, aim for a one-page resume. If you have extensive experience or technical qualifications, a two-page resume will probably be needed.

The most important thing when writing your resume is make sure that you include everything relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Use bullet points effectively

Use bullet points to list your achievements and responsibilities. Bullets are easier to skim and highlight your accomplishments more effectively than dense paragraphs.

Keep your bullet points brief and start each one with strong action verbs.

Use an online resume scanner

You can make sure your resume is formatted correctly and ATS-compatible by running it through an online resume scanner.

Jobscan’s resume scanner not only checks your margins and other formatting, but it also analyzes your resume against the job description to ensure it contains relevant keywords and phrases.

This is crucial because ATS often rank resumes based on the presence of specific job-related keywords.

Here’s an example of a report produced by Jobscan’s resume scanner:

A match report with resume score and recommended hard skills.

According to this report, the job seeker should try to add the skills “Compliance Policies,” “Direct Management,” and “Health Information Technology” to their resume to have the best chance of getting an interview.

But don’t lie. Only add skills that you actually have.

Advanced tips for resume presentation

Your resume shouldn’t just list your work experience and skills; it should also be visually appealing and easy to read.

Here are some advanced tips for enhancing the presentation of your resume while still keeping it ATS-friendly:

Use Color: Using color on your resume is fine for ATS, as long as it’s used sparingly. For example, only use color for your name and section headings.

Be consistent: Your headings, date formatting, bullet points, margins, and spacing should always be consistent. This conveys a sense of professionalism and attention to detail.

Use standard section headings: To avoid confusing the ATS, stick to conventional headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.”

Keep it simple: Steer clear of graphics and images since ATS systems might have trouble reading them.

Use an ATS-friendly resume template: Templates take a lot of the guesswork out of creating your resume. Simply add your information to template and you’re done.

Use Jobscan’s free ATS-friendly resume templates and start building your resume that gets noticed by recruiters!

Resume margins for printing

Your resume margins should look just as good printed on paper as they do on your computer screen.

Here are some tips for making sure your printed resume is visually appealing and easy to read:

Use a standard paper size: In the United States and many other North American countries, the standard paper size is 8.5″ x 11” (also known as letter size).

Test print your resume: This will help you catch any issues with resume margins, fonts, or layouts that might not be apparent on a computer screen.

Check for consistent margins: After printing, make sure your resume margins are consistent on all sides.

Check every page: If your resume is more than one page, check that the margins and layout are consistent on every page.

Use high-quality paper: A slightly heavier paper than standard printer paper will give your resume a more professional feel.

Key takeaways

Resume margins are crucial for readability and professionalism. They frame the content and affect the overall appearance.
The typical resume margin size is one inch on all sides, striking a balance between readability and space. This size is also compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Stick to one-inch resume margins for traditional industries like law, finance, or healthcare. Margins on creative resumes can deviate slightly from this rule, but readability must be maintained.
Choose professional, readable fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. Font size should be 10-12 points.
Align text to the left for readability and ATS compatibility. Avoid justifying your text as it can create unwanted spaces between words.
Use color sparingly, avoid graphics and images, and consider using ATS-friendly resume templates.
When printing your resume, use standard paper size (8.5″ x 11” in the U.S.) and always test print to check margins and layout.

FAQs

What is the margin size for a resume?

The standard margin size for a resume is one inch on all sides.

How do you set proper resume margin size in MS Word and Google Docs?

In MS Word: Go to the ‘Layout’ tab, click ‘Margins’, and select your desired size.
In Google Docs: Click ‘File’, then ‘Page Setup’, and set your margins under the ‘Margins’ section.

Should you justify margins in your resume?

No, it’s best to left-align your text. Justified text can create uneven spacing between words, making it harder to read.

If your resume is less than a page, can you increase the margins?

Yes, you can slightly increase the margins, but avoid making them too wide. It’s better to add more relevant content to fill the space.

Do margins matter on a resume for ATS?

Yes, resume margins do matter. ATS systems can misread resumes with very narrow or very wide margins. Stick to standard margins for better compatibility.

How big should margins be on a resume?

Resume margins should generally be around one inch on all sides, providing a clean and professional layout.

Why is it better to keep resume margins at no more than an inch?

Keeping resume margins at no more than an inch ensures a balanced amount of white space and text. This makes the resume more readable and aesthetically pleasing, while also being compatible with ATS.

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