How to Set Resume Margins the Right Way

How to set resume margins in Teal

To set resume margins in Teal, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Teal account and click on the resume you want to set margins for.
2. Click on the "Design" tab at the top of the screen.
3. Click "Page Setup" at the bottom of the screen.
4. Slide the "Left & Right Margins" and "Top & Bottom Margins" to adjust your settings.

How to set resume margins in Microsoft Word

To set resume margins in Microsoft Word, follow these steps:

1. Open your Microsoft Word resume template.
2. Click on the "Layout" tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen.
3. Click on "Margins" in the "Page Setup" section.
4. Select one of the predefined margin options or click "Custom Margins" to set your own margins.
5. If you choose "Custom Margins," enter the desired margin values in the "Top," "Bottom," "Left," and "Right" boxes.
6. Click "OK" to save your changes.

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How to set resume margins in Google Docs

To set resume margins in Google Docs, follow these steps:

1. Open your Google Docs resume template.
2. Click on "File" in the top left corner of the screen.
3. Click on "Page Setup" from the drop-down menu.
4. A "Page Setup" window will appear. You can adjust your margins here by entering values in the "Top," "Bottom," "Left," and "Right" boxes.
5. You can also adjust the page orientation, paper size, and more from this window.
6. Once you have adjusted your margins to your liking, click "OK" to save your changes.

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How to set resume margins in Pages

To set resume margins in Pages, follow these steps:

1. Open your resume document in Pages.
2. Click on "Document" in the top menu bar.
3. Select "Margins" from the drop-down menu.
4. A "Document Margins" window will appear. You can adjust your margins here by entering values in the "Top," "Bottom," "Left," and "Right" boxes.
5. You can also adjust the gutter and mirrored margins from this window.
6. Once you have adjusted your margins to your liking, click "OK" to save your changes.

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How to set resume margins in Canva

To set resume margins in Canva, follow these steps:

1. Open your resume document in Canva.
2. Click on the "Page" tab on the left-hand side of the screen.
3. Click on "Custom Size" in the top right corner of the screen.
4. A "Custom dimensions" window will appear. Enter the width and height of your resume document in the boxes provided.
5. Once you have entered your dimensions, click "Create new design."
6. Click on the "Background" tab on the left-hand side of the screen.
7. Under "Background," click on the "Margins" dropdown menu.
8. Select one of the predefined margin options or click "Custom Margins" to set your own margins.
9. If you choose "Custom Margins," enter the desired margin values in the "Top," "Bottom," "Left," and "Right" boxes.
10. Click "Done" to save your changes.

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Basic resumes

When creating a basic resume, it's important to keep the margins consistent and professional-looking. Here are some general guidelines for setting margins on a basic resume:

1. Set the margin size to 1 inch on all sides. This is the default margin size in most word processing programs, and it ensures that your resume looks clean and professional.
2. If you need to fit more information on your resume, you can reduce the margin size to 0.5 inches on all sides. However, be sure to test print your resume to ensure that all important information is still visible and that the resume still looks professional.
3. Avoid setting the margin size too small (less than 0.5 inches) or too large (more than 1 inch) as this can make your resume look unprofessional or difficult to read.

Remember that the most important thing is to ensure that your resume is easy to read and looks professional. Consistent and appropriate margins can help achieve this.

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Creative resumes

When creating a graphically enhanced,  creative resume, you have more flexibility with the margins, as the design elements of the resume can extend into the margins.

With this in mind, it's generally recommended to use a margin size of at least 0.5 inches to ensure that the content of your resume is well-contained and doesn't appear cramped. This margin size allows for some design elements to extend beyond the printable area.

If you're using a lot of graphical elements in your resume, such as charts, graphs, or images, you may want to increase the margin size slightly to provide more whitespace and balance out the design.

Ultimately, the margin size should be chosen based on what looks visually appealing and helps to showcase your skills and qualifications in the most effective way possible. However, it's important to keep in mind that the text and important information should still be within the printable area of the page, so the document isn't rejected by applicant tracking systems.

Pro-tip: Explore Teal's collection of creative resume templates to get started!

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Font

Whether serif or sans serif fonts, the font used on a resume matters because it can influence the reader's perception of the job seeker and their qualifications.

When choosing a resume font, consider the industry you're applying to, the type of job you're seeking, and your personal brand. To ensure your resume is easy to read, choose traditional resume fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. If you want to showcase more of a creative personality, try Didot, Lato, or Montserrat.

What about size? We recommend following these guidelines:

• Your name at the top can be 18 to 24 points so it stands out but doesn't take up too much resume space
• Create headings between 12 and 16 points
• Generally, stay between a 10- and 12-point font size for resume body text

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Header

The header of your resume is the first thing a potential employer will see, so it's important to make it stand out. Use a clear, easy-to-read font for your name and contact information, and consider making it slightly larger than the rest of the text on your resume. Make sure your header is consistent with the rest of your resume in terms of formatting and spacing.

To make your resume even more compelling, consider including a hyperlink to your LinkedIn profile or personal website. This provides potential employers with additional ways to learn about your professional background and skills, and can help you make a strong impression as a candidate.

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Footer

While a footer is not strictly necessary on a resume, it's essential to keep it simple and informative if including one. For experienced professionals with resumes more than one page in length, the footer is a great place to include page numbers.

However, if you choose not to include a footer, that is also perfectly acceptable. This allows more space to include all necessary information in the body of the document.

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Spacing

When creating a professional resume, it's important to pay attention to spacing. Consistency is key in creating an organized and visually pleasing page layout. To achieve this, it's best to use the same amount of space between each section and bullet point, and avoid too much white space or overcrowding your text. Additionally, using bullet points can be a great way to break up long paragraphs and create an easy-to-read resume.

Another factor to consider when formatting your resume is white space. By using white space effectively, you can make your resume more scannable and visually appealing.

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Length

When it comes to resume length, it's important to strike the right balance between providing enough information to showcase your skills and accomplishments, and keeping the document concise and easy to read.

As a general rule, most employers prefer resumes that are one page to two pages long, so it's important to prioritize the most relevant information and avoid including unnecessary details.

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