Resume formatting rules that recruiters expect

Should you put your address on your resume?

You do not need your full street address. City and state (for example "Pune, Maharashtra") is enough for recruiters to see that you are local or willing to relocate, and it protects your privacy. Add a full address only when an application form, a government job or a biodata format asks for it. If you are relocating, write "Moving to Bengaluru in March 2027".

Should you put a photo on your resume?

It depends on the country and industry:

• Usually no photo: the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland, mainly to reduce bias.
• Often expected: India for many jobs, the Middle East, Germany, much of Asia and Latin America.
• Almost always expected: airline cabin crew, hotels, front office, modelling, acting and some government forms.

If you add one, use a recent, well-lit head-and-shoulders photo with a plain background and professional clothes. No selfies, sunglasses or group crops. In the builder you can switch the photo on or off for each application.

What font and size should a resume be?

Pick one font, or two at most, and use it everywhere. Avoid script and novelty fonts; applicant tracking systems and tired eyes both struggle with them.

What margins should a resume have?

Use margins between 1.3 cm and 2.5 cm (0.5 to 1 inch) on all sides. Narrower margins make the page feel crowded and may be cut off when printed. If you need more space, shorten your text before you shrink the margins.

How to list certifications on a resume

Give each certification its own line with the name, issuing organisation and year, for example: "AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Amazon Web Services, 2025". Put certifications that the job requires near the top, even inside your summary. Add a licence or registration number only if the role requires it, such as nursing or teaching. For courses still in progress, write "expected June 2027".

How to write dates on a resume

Use one style throughout, such as "Jun 2023 to Present" or "06/2023 to 06/2025". Month and year is standard. Right-align dates so they line up down the page, which every template in Free Resume Maker does for you.

What to name your resume file

Use your name and the document type: Priya_Sharma_Resume.pdf. Add the job title when you apply for several roles: Priya_Sharma_Data_Analyst_Resume.pdf. Avoid names like resume_final_v3.pdf.

PDF or Word?

Send a PDF unless the employer asks for Word; it keeps your layout identical on every screen. For job portals, use a text-based PDF (in Free Resume Maker, Print or save as PDF) so applicant tracking systems can read it.

Resume formatting checklist

• Name, phone, email, city and LinkedIn at the top
• One or two fonts, body text 10 to 11 pt
• Margins 1.3 to 2.5 cm, consistent spacing
• Same date format everywhere, right-aligned
• Bullets start with a verb and fit on one or two lines
• Certifications with name, issuer and year
• Photo only where expected
• Saved as PDF with a clear file name

Frequently asked questions

Should you put your address on your resume?

Put your city and state, not your full street address. Add a full address only when an application form, government job or biodata format asks for it.

What is the best font size for a resume?

Use 10 to 11 points for body text, 12 to 14 points for section headings and 18 to 28 points for your name.

What margins should a resume have?

Between 1.3 cm and 2.5 cm (0.5 to 1 inch) on all sides. Shorten your text rather than making margins smaller.

How do I list certifications on my resume?

Give each one its own line with the certification name, issuing organisation and year. Put certifications the job requires near the top of your resume.

Should I include a picture on my resume?

Only where it is normal, such as India, the Middle East, parts of Europe and Asia, or jobs like cabin crew and hospitality. In the US, UK and Canada, leave the photo off.