Resume Formatter

---
name: resume-formatter
description: Ensure ATS-friendly formatting and create clean scannable layouts
---

# 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

### DON'T:
- Use tables (except simple ones for contact info)
- Use text boxes
- Use columns (multi-column layouts)
- Use headers/footers for important info
- Use images or graphics
- Use unusual fonts
- Use skill bars or progress indicators
- Use special characters or emojis
- Use color for essential information

## Section Organization

### Standard Section Order

```
1. Contact Information
2. Professional Summary (optional)
3. Skills/Technical Skills
4. Professional Experience
5. Education
6. Certifications (if relevant)
7. Additional (volunteer, languages, etc.)
```

For the exact layout of each section — contact info, experience, skills, education, and section headers — see [references/section-templates.md](references/section-templates.md).

## Visual Hierarchy & White Space

Font size and weight establish reading order (name → section headers → job titles → bullets); white space separates sections without leaving half-empty pages. For the full hierarchy rules, white-space guidance, common formatting mistakes, and file-naming/format guidelines, see [references/formatting-guidelines.md](references/formatting-guidelines.md).

## Output Format

When formatting a resume, report current issues, recommended changes (document setup, section order, visual improvements, ATS fixes), and a before/after preview. See [references/output-format.md](references/output-format.md) for the exact template.

## Quick Formatting Checklist

Before submitting any resume:
- One page (or two if warranted)
- Standard font (10-12pt body)
- Consistent formatting throughout
- Clear section headers
- Appropriate white space
- No tables, text boxes, or columns
- Contact info in body (not header)
- Saved as .docx or .pdf
- Proper file name
- Proofread for consistency

---

## Related Skills

| Skill | When to apply |
|-------|--------------|
| `resume-ats-optimizer` | Verify keyword placement after layout is finalized |
| `resume-section-builder` | Determine which sections to include and their order |
| `resume-bullet-writer` | Improve bullet content once formatting is clean |
| `creative-portfolio-resume` | Apply creative design rules for non-ATS portfolio version |
| `executive-resume-writer` | Apply 2-3 page executive layout conventions |
| `pdf-proof` | Final proofread after all formatting changes are applied |