What Should a Resume Look Like? Layout Tips and Examples

What should a resume look like?

A good resume should look clean, easy to scan, and tailored to one target role. For most job seekers, that means a simple reverse-chronological layout, clear section headings, consistent spacing, and zero decorative elements that compete with the content.

If a recruiter opens your resume and can quickly find your target role, recent experience, results, and relevant skills, the layout is doing its job.

What a good resume should include

Most strong resumes include these sections in this order:

• Contact information
• Target job title
• Short professional summary
• Work experience
• Skills
• Education
• Optional projects, certifications, or volunteer work

Example: if you are applying for a customer success manager role, the title under your name should say "Customer Success Manager", not a vague label like "Experienced Professional".

Best resume format for most job seekers

For most people, the safest format is reverse chronological. Start with your most recent role and work backward.

This format works well because it helps recruiters answer three questions fast:

• What do you do now?
• How recent is your experience?
• Does your background match this job?

A functional resume can hide important context, so use it carefully. If you are changing careers, a combination resume usually works better than a skills-only format because it still shows where you used those skills.

Resume layout rules that make scanning easier

Use layout choices that help the reader move down the page without guessing:

• Keep margins and spacing consistent
• Use one easy-to-read font
• Make section headings obvious
• Keep bullet points short and specific
• Align dates in the same place throughout the page
• Use bold sparingly to highlight role titles or key results

If one section looks denser than the rest, edit for balance. A readable resume usually feels organized before anyone reads every word.

What each section should look like

Header

Your header should include your name, phone number, email address, LinkedIn profile, and city or region. You do not need a full street address.

Title and summary

Place your target title near the top, then add a short summary of two to four lines. Focus on the type of work you do, your level, and the value you bring.

Example summary:

"Project coordinator with 4 years of experience supporting cross-functional teams, improving reporting, and keeping client deliverables on schedule."

Work experience

List each role with:

• Job title
• Company name
• Location
• Dates
• 3 to 5 bullets showing relevant work and outcomes

Start bullets with action verbs and be concrete. Instead of "Responsible for scheduling", write "Coordinated weekly delivery schedules for 12 client accounts and reduced missed handoffs by improving team follow-up."

Skills

Use a focused skills section, not a giant keyword dump. Include tools, methods, and role-specific strengths that actually appear in the job description or your experience.

Resume design choices to avoid

Many resumes look worse because the design gets in the way. Avoid:

• Multiple fonts
• Heavy colors or large graphics
• Icons in every section
• Text boxes that break reading flow
• Long paragraphs
• Tiny font sizes used to fit too much information

If a design choice makes the resume look impressive but harder to scan, cut it.

A simple resume checklist before you apply

Use this quick check before sending your resume:

• The target role is obvious near the top
• The most relevant experience appears on page one
• Dates, headings, and bullet style are consistent
• The summary and skills match the job you want
• The file looks clean when saved as PDF

Final takeaway

The best-looking resume is usually the easiest one to understand. Keep the layout simple, make the role fit obvious, and use formatting to support clarity rather than decoration.

If you are unsure whether your current resume is clear enough, compare it to one job description and check whether the top half of the page immediately shows the match.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best layout for a resume?

For most job seekers, a reverse-chronological layout is the best choice because it is familiar, easy to scan, and shows your recent experience first.

Should a resume have color?

It can, but keep it minimal. A small accent color for headings is usually enough. Readability matters more than style.

How long should a resume be?

Many early-career candidates can fit on one page. Mid-career and senior candidates may need two pages if the content is relevant and easy to scan.