How to format your resumé
Quick summary:
Keep your resumé design simple and professional so it’s easy to read and passes Applicant Tracking Systems.
Focus on clarity and structure by using standard fonts, concise wording, and consistent formatting.
Prioritise key details on page one, such as your personal summary, skills, education, and most recent role.
Adjust your resumé length based on your experience, keeping every section relevant and value-adding.
Avoid unnecessary elements like photos, outdated roles, or fancy layouts that distract from your achievements.
When it comes to your resumé, content is key. But a bad layout could hinder your chances of being noticed. We talk to Paul Hallam, Executive Director of recruitment company Six Degrees Executive about how to style your resumé for success.
Why the design and layout of your resumé is so important
A great resumé is about substance, so while it might be tempting to dress up your resumé with fancy fonts and graphics, it’s much more compelling to have a clean, fuss-free design and layout. According to Hallam, there are other good reasons to ensure a simple resumé design:
- Resumés with graphics and too many columns won’t actually get through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), so a poorly-designed resumé may not ever be seen by recruiters or hiring managers.
- Fancy or hard-to-read fonts are distracting – busy recruiters and employers won’t view them favourably. Best to stick to a sans-serif font, size 11-12pt.
- An aesthetically appealing, functional resumé is a reflection of who you are as a potential employee – it shows your professionalism.
This doesn’t mean you’re expected to come up with a knock-out resumé design yourself, though. Choosing a simple resumé template and making it your own is the best way to go. This free resumé template has all you need to get started.
The ideal length
Depending on your relevant experience, your resumé should range from two to four pages long. Focus on quality, not quantity, by keeping your word count tight. Less is more when it comes to providing context for the roles you have listed. Describing what you’ve achieved in your career in as few words as possible will make your resumé stand out.
If you’re just starting out or applying for entry-level roles, a one- to two-page resumé is perfectly acceptable. Highlight your education, transferable skills, internships, and any part-time or volunteer work that shows initiative. For mid-career professionals, two to three pages are generally ideal, giving you space to demonstrate relevant experience without overwhelming the reader.
Senior leaders or professionals with extensive project portfolios may extend to four pages, especially when applying for executive positions. However, every section should add value. Remember, a recruiter typically spends only seconds scanning your resumé, so make those pages count.
The importance of page one
The first page of your resumé is prime real estate and using two columns is a good way to make the most of this important space. Hallam says there are five key things you should include on page one:
Your name and contact details
This should be at the very top, in the header. Use a larger font for your name. Include your personal phone number and email address, and include location information so your resumé is searchable for potential employers, for example ‘Melbourne, Victoria, Australia’. There’s no need to include your address, though.
Your personal summary
Your personal summary should paint a picture of who you are, why you’re ideal for the role you’re applying for and what your career aspirations are. It’s best to tailor your personal summary to the role you’re applying for and limit it to three to four sentences.
Your key skills
Listing these is a must, so that potential employers can quickly see your core capabilities. Aim for three to four bullet points.
Your education and training
Clearly highlight this. In bold, state the years you started and completed your training, then the course and institution. List your most recent qualification first.
Your professional experience
Your most recent role should appear on page one, followed by previous professional experience on the remaining pages of your resumé. According to Hallam, this is the most important part of your resumé and it’s crucial to get the formatting right.
Always highlight your position at the beginning, followed by the organisation and the time you worked there, including the month and year. Write a brief summary of what your position entailed and include two bulleted lists — one for your key responsibilities and the other for your achievements.
The remaining pages of your resumé
After your professional experience, you can include two other sections:
Hobbies and interests
Hallam says it’s a good idea to include something about your life outside of work. “Including your hobbies, passions or interests is a great way to differentiate yourself and make yourself memorable. It’s also an opportunity to build rapport with your interviewer, especially if you share common interests,” he adds.
References
You may also wish to include a note at the end of your resumé to say that references are available on request. This keeps your resumé concise and gives you the flexibility to choose referees that best suit each job application.
What not to include in your resumé
Photos
In some parts of the world, it's standard to include a photo on your resume – but that's not the case in Australia. You don't need to include a photo on your resumé. There may be exceptions in some fields such as acting or modelling, where you might be asked to include a photo.
Roles you undertook more than 20 years ago
Focus on your most recent experience instead. Older roles may no longer reflect your current skills or the technologies and methods used today.
The words ‘Curriculum Vitae’
’Resumé’ is more up to date.
Make your resumé count
Remember, if you want your resumé to get noticed, focus on clarity, not complexity. A clean, well-structured resumé tells employers you’re organised, detail-oriented, and professional. Use strong, active language to describe your achievements, keep formatting consistent, and always tailor your resumé to the job you’re applying for.
It’s not about how fancy it looks, it’s about how clearly it communicates your value. A polished, functional resumé will go much further in helping you land that next opportunity.
Take the time to review and update it regularly so it reflects your most recent experience. Even small improvements can make a strong impression and help you stand out in a competitive job market. Learn about different job options and see what’s possible for your next step on the Explore Careers page.
FAQs
1. How should I list my experience and achievements?
Start with your most recent role and work backwards. For each position, clearly show your job title, company name, and employment dates. Under each role, include a short summary followed by bullet points. Use one list for key responsibilities and another for achievements.
2. What file format should I save my resumé in?
Always save and send your resumé as a PDF unless the employer requests another format. A PDF keeps your layout, spacing, and fonts intact, so your resumé looks the same on any device.
3. How often should I update my resumé?
Review and update your resumé every few months, especially after completing a major project, earning a certification, or changing roles. Keeping it current makes applying for new opportunities easier and ensures your accomplishments are fresh in your mind.
