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Standard Resume Margins (Size + Formatting)

By Maddie Lloyd and Experts
Aug. 21, 2022

When writing your resume, what size your margins should be might be one of the last things to cross your mind. You’re probably more focused on detailing all of your skills, work experience, and education.

Something as trivial as resume margins might seem like a tedious and nagging thing to have to think about when you’re trying to find a job, but the aesthetic appearance of your resume is almost as important as its contents.

But here’s the kicker:

The way that your resume looks is the first thing that employers will notice, and it can even determine if you get an interview, or if you get thrown into the trash pile.

Key Takeaways:

  • Resume margins should be between 0.5 and 1 inches, with 1 inch being the norm.

  • Proper resume margins are important to make your information easier to read and present it in a professional manner.

  • 95% of resumes should be 1 page. Only advanced positions or candidates with 5 to 10 years of relevant work experience should have longer resumes.

  • Stick with standard formatting and font, using 10 to 12 point font, for your resume.

Standard Resume Margins (Size + Formatting)

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What Size Should My Resume Margins Be?

The standard for the size of resume margins is 1-inch on all sides. This size is particularly useful for recent graduates or job applicants who don’t have much job experience, because it will make the text on your resume seem more full than it actually is, without creating too much white space.

On the other hand, if you’ve got a fairly lengthy amount of job experience and are trying to maintain a certain resume length, you can adjust your margins to as small as ½ inch to fit your work and education history into however many pages is appropriate for your experience level.

So, the golden rule for margins is no larger than 1 inch and no smaller than ½ inch. If your margins are too small, your resume will look cramped and chaotic. If your margins are too large, your resume will come off as empty. Find the middle ground that works for you.

Rules for Resume Length

While we’re on the topic of resume length, have you ever found yourself wondering “How long should my resume be?” If so, you’re in luck, because we have all the information you need.

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all standard for resume length. Once upon a time, the rule was that resumes should never exceed one page in length, but nowadays the rules are a bit more lenient.

Your resume should be one page if:

  • You’re an entry-level candidate

  • You have less than ten years of experience

  • You’re entering a new field or industry

  • You’re looking for an internship

  • You’re a recent graduate

Make your resume two pages if:

  • You have ten or more years of experience

  • You’re a mid-level candidate (five to ten years of relevant work experience

  • The job requires technical skills, and your resume requires space to list your technical knowledge or experience

Your resume should be three pages if:

  • You’re a senior-level manage or executive

  • You have a record of leadership roles or accomplishments

  • You’re in an academic or science field and have a list of publications, licenses, patents, professional courses, or public speaking engagements

Use the size of your margins to fit your appropriate resume length, but remember to keep it between ½ inch and 1 inch.

In short, 95% of job seekers should stick with a one-page resume.

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Zippia Example Resume Builder Step

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How to Adjust Margins in Microsoft Word

Click on “Layout” gt; “Margins” gt; “Normal” for 1 inch margins.

For setting your own margins, click on “Layout” gt; “Custom Margins” and adjust as needed.

How to Adjust Margins in Google Docs

Click on “File” gt; “Page Set Up”

You can adjust all of the margins from this window as needed.

Then again, there’s one more thing you can do.

Make a new resume and get more interviews.

Plus, a great resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our resume builder here. Here’s what it may look like:

Resume Text Alignment

To make the best use of your space, align the most important text of your resume to the left. This would include information like your previous employers, job titles, achievements, and responsibilities.

The right side of your resume should be reserved for additional information, like dates and job locations. This will ensure a balanced resume feng-shui.

Rules for Creative Resumes

If you’re considering mixing it up and throwing a creative resume at your next employer, here’s a tip — just don’t!

Employers prefer traditional resumes over creative ones because it’s difficult to design a creative resume that successfully communicates your message. Plus, all the fancy bells and whistles of your creative resume will distract from your experience and qualifications.

Also, creative resumes are hard for robots to read. Applicant tracking systems parse through resumes to make sure that candidates meet certain qualifications before they get passed along to a human reader. Creative formatting can make it harder for ATS to find your relevant information, which may lead to your application being weeded out.

So if you’re submitting your resume online, you’re better off sticking with a traditional resume format. Sorry to stifle your creativity, but we just want to help you get the job of your dreams.

Resume Formatting Tips

  1. Stick with standard formatting. You want your job application to stand out, but that doesn’t mean your resume’s formatting should look wildly different than the norm. Hiring managers and recruiters are used to seeing one-inch margins, and it’s usually best practice to give them what they expect.

    Most of these settings are the default in Microsoft Word and Google Docs anyway, so you don’t have to think about it too much.

  2. Use a standard font. Choose between one of the classic fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, and Helvetica. One pro tip is to look at the company’s preferred font for customer-facing documents and then copy it, or at least adopt a Serif (with tails) or Sans Serif (without tails) font based on the style that the company uses.

  3. Stick to 10-12 point font. Ideally, your font should be between 10 and 12-point. If it’s any smaller, hiring managers may have a tough time reading it, and if it’s any larger, it will look childish and unprofessional.

  4. Use standard bullet points and graphical elements. Bullet points are great for highlighting your most significant accomplishments at each job.

    About 2-4 bullet points are usually sufficient for each job title entry. You can also use standard graphical elements like lines to make your resume more attractive without making it impossible for an applicant tracking system to parse.

  5. Don’t be afraid of white space. Some people fear their resume looks empty and try to fill in all the blank space. Having a bit of white space is actually easier on the eyes than a jam-packed, text-filled resume.

  6. Use good printing materials. Use one of the best resume papers we suggest here and print on a laser printer if you’re producing physical copies of your resume. This will avoid smudges and give your resume a polished, professional appearance.

  7. Avoid special graphics and unique formatting. If you have to download a font, bullet-point design, or graphics, then chances are that the applicant tracking system (ATS) that the employer uses won’t be able to parse your resume.

    That means your resume will be thrown out before a hiring manager or recruiter even looks at it. Ditch the fancy formatting and stick with the basics to increase your odds of passing the robot gatekeepers.

  8. Save your resume as a PDF file. Once you’ve perfected your resume’s format, save the document as a PDF file. This will ensure that all of your formatting stays consistent across platforms and operating systems. The only caveat is if the employer specifically asks for your resume in a file type other than PDF (usually .doc or .docx).

Resume Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why are resume margins important?

    2. Resume margins are important because they present information in a comprehendible and professional manner. If your resume margins are too narrow, your text will be too crammed, but if they are too wide it will look like you are missing information.

    Since resume margins are fairly standardized, recruiters and hiring managers will notice if your margins are unusual. This can hurt your hiring chances.

  2. Is it OK to use narrow margins on a resume?

    3. Yes, it is OK to use narrow margins if they are no less than 0.5 inches and you need to add relevant information. Margins between 0.5 and 1 inches should only be used if you have a lot of relevant information for your resume that needs to be arranged in a presentable manner. However, generally you should try to keep your margins at 1 inch.

  3. What is the standard resume page size?

    4. A standard resume is usually 1 page long with 10 to 12 point font. Use a professional font such as Arial or Times New Roman. Resumes should only be longer than 1 page only if you are apply to a mid or high level position, or you have more than 5 years of relevant experience.

Final Thoughts

When you’re writing your resume that will surely get you all the jobs you ever apply for, remember to use the size of your margins to your advantage.

If you don’t have a lot of experience, bigger margins will make your resume look more full. If you’ve already piled up some work experience but don’t want to exceed a certain length, smaller margins can make your work history and qualifications fit into a certain amount of space.

Just remember — no bigger than 1 inch, and no smaller than ½ inch, and you’re good to go!

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Author

Maddie Lloyd

Maddie Lloyd was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog focused on researching tips for interview, resume, and cover letter preparation. She's currently a graduate student at North Carolina State University's department of English concentrating in Film and Media Studies.

Expert

Don Pippin, MHRM, CPRW, CDCS

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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