Resume Margins Comprehensive Guide

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Resume Margins: A Comprehensive

Guide

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You’ve spent hours carefully crafting what you believe to be the perfect resume. You’ve
gone over the spelling and punctuation with a fine-toothed comb and have done
everything you possibly can to craft the resume of your dreams.

But, have you thought about your margins and spacing? Have you adjusted them and is it
really that important?

What Is Standard Resume Margin Sizing?

For most resumes, it is typical to have margins set at one inch. If you are really struggling
for space, it is possible to set your margins to a smaller limit, but they should never be less
than half an inch.

This will ensure the text of your resume is set away from the edges of the paper. The
reason for doing this is to enable the text to stand out and be more eye-catching to
whoever is viewing it. It can also make your resume easier to read.
Why Does Margin Size Even Matter?

It would be easy to think that margin sizes aren’t important. Surely the employer should be
more interested in what your resume actually says, rather than the size of your margins?

The truth is, however, that formatting your margins to the right size can make it easier for
employers to read your resume. It makes the information stand out from the page and
avoids your resume looking too busy or disorganized.

All these points can mean your resume is more likely to be read by an employer when
compared with one that doesn’t have the right spacing or margins.

How Much Spacing Do You Need Between


Resume Sections?

The main thing to consider when it comes to spacing is to ensure consistency. Rather
than using a variety of different font sizes, opt for one size and signify section titles by
putting them in bold.

Most people find that double spacing between sections is sufficient space for ensuring that
the reader can easily see where one section ends and another begins. It also gives a
more professional look to the overall document.

How to Adjust Resume Margins

The exact method for adjusting your margins and spacing will vary slightly depending on
which application you use. Most people use Microsoft Word, Google Docs or Apple
Pages.
Microsoft Word
1. Select the Layout tab.
2. Select Margins.
3. If you find an option that fulfills your requirements, select it from the available choices.
4. If there is no suitable option available, select Custom margins.
5. The Page setup box that appears will allow you to set your own margin sizes.
6. When you are happy with your margins, select OK.
7. If you are likely to use these margins for the majority of future documents, you can set
them as your default margins by selecting Set as default instead of OK when you
have input your preferred margin sizes.

Google Docs
1. Select File from the toolbar at the top of the page.
2. At the bottom of the dropdown menu, select Page setup.
3. This will cause a pop-up to appear. On the right, you will find a variety of margin
boxes.
4. Type your preferred margins into the boxes.
5. When you are happy with your margins, select OK.
6. If you are likely to need the same margin settings frequently, select Set as default
rather than OK.

Apple Pages
1. Select Document from the options at the right of the screen.
2. From here, you will be able to adjust each margin individually using the Document
margins section.
3. Once you are happy, your margins will be adjusted automatically.
Resume Margins: A Comprehensive Guide

Additional Tips for Your Resume

Once you have decided on the margin sizes and spacing requirements of your resume,
think about what else needs to be included.

Your resume is an employer's first impression of you. They will need to be able to quickly
and easily see why you should be offered an interview.

There are a few steps you can take to help your resume make it through this first stage of
the recruitment process.

Use the Right Font

While it might be tempting to use a fancy font, it is more important that your resume is
easy to read.

This is why most people will choose a standard font and font size for their resume. It
ensures that the reader will be able to easily scan the document for relevant information.
Bullet Points

Employers want resumes to be eye-catching and easy to read. Where possible, use bullet
points and very short paragraphs.

This enables whoever is reading your resume to see the most important information at a
glance rather than needing to spend a long time reading through it.

Highlight Your Skills

Before submitting your resume, take a little time to make sure that your skills are
highlighted.

Think about the qualities that are most likely to be in demand for this role and how you can
show you have the skills required to do the job to the best possible standards.

Consider Writing a Cover Letter

Not every resume will require an accompanying covering letter, but they can sometimes
be helpful.

A cover letter gives you the opportunity to speak to the employer in a less formal way than
the resume and allows for more of your individuality to be seen. It is particularly useful for
people who have worked freelance or have a slightly patchier employment history as the
cover letter provides an opportunity to explain this.

A well-written cover letter can persuade a potential employer to put your resume through
to the next stage of the recruitment process, even if you don’t necessarily tick all the
experience or skills requirements.
Don’t Make Your Resume Too Long

Ideally, a resume should be no more than two pages long (two sides of A4). Some people
will even recommend keeping a resume to one page.

You should provide the most important information without losing the interest of the
employer, so it is important to keep it as short and to-the-point as possible.

Final Thoughts

Margins may not seem particularly important, and they’re definitely less important than the
actual content of your resume. However, it’s important not to underestimate the
professional value that carefully adjusted margins can give to your resume.

No matter how wonderful the content is, if your resume doesn’t look professional, it might
not make it through the first selection phase and won’t be given the opportunity to shine.

Taking the time to make sure your margins and spacing are right can make the difference
between receiving an invitation to interview and a letter of rejection.

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