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Resume guideHow to write a resume
A complete reference covering global rules, section structure, length, regional formats, field-specific requirements, and layout strategies.
Always do
✓Use reverse chronological order — most recent experience and education first
✓Quantify achievements: 'Reduced load time by 40%' beats 'Improved performance'
✓Start every bullet with a strong action verb: Led, Built, Designed, Managed, Increased
✓Tailor each resume to the specific role — match keywords for ATS systems
✓Maintain consistent formatting: same font, bullet style, and date format throughout
✓Save and send as PDF unless the role post explicitly requests Word format
Never do
✕No personal pronouns — 'I managed…' becomes 'Managed…'
✕No 'References available upon request' — it's assumed and wastes space
✕No photos, age, marital status, or religion — unless required in your region
✕No spelling errors — use spell-check AND proofread manually at least twice
✕No objective statements — replace with a professional summary
Typography & design
Font
Calibri, Arial, Garamond, or Georgia — 10–12pt body, 14–16pt name
Margins
0.5–1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) on all sides
Line spacing
1.0–1.15 within sections; 1.5 between sections
Color
Black on white. Subtle accent for headers only — keep conservative for corporate roles
Rules vary by industry, employer, and country — always defer to specific role posting instructions.
