Resume layout editor

What it does

Share your resume and the way you plan to apply. It checks section order, spacing, fonts and details that may confuse hiring software. You get layout changes, a cleaner text structure and a checklist to review before sharing the file. Licence: this copy is under the MIT licence (see the LICENSE file in this item). It is adapted from the resume-formatter skill by Daniel (San) Ávila, and the skill text is unchanged.

What goes in and out

You give it

• Your resume file or its current layout details.
• The role, career stage and how you will submit it.
• Audit report (optional)
• Your question (optional)

You get

• A list of specific layout fixes.
• Recommended type, spacing and section order.
• A final readability and file-format checklist.

How the task works

• Step 1. Review page length, margins, text size and section order.
• Step 2. Find tables, columns or hidden details that may hinder reading.
• Step 3. Suggest a cleaner layout and a final file checklist.

Full instructions

• Open Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini. No code, files or paid tools are needed.
• Paste the skill text into the chat. Say: "Use this skill to review my resume layout."
• Paste your resume text, or attach the file if your AI accepts files. Pasted text loses tables, columns and text boxes, so describe those parts in your own words, for example "two columns with skills on the left", so the layout checks can work.
• Tell it the role, your career stage and how you will send the resume.
• Read the Current Issues list first, then make the changes in your own document.
• Check the employer's own application instructions before you pick .docx or .pdf. Some portals ignore attached files and ask you to fill in fields. Then save the file as .docx or a text-based PDF and check the file name before you send it.
• Paste the revised text back into the chat to recheck the section order and the fixes. Then pair it with a cover letter or an application tracker.

Full instruction file

Resume Formatter

Before you start

Use the material below to do this job. If facts or tool access are missing, explain what you can finish and what must wait.

What you need (use your own material or the linked skill):

• Resumes or CVs (yours): the resumes or CVs this job uses, pasted or attached.

Makes it better (optional):

• An audit report (yours): findings with evidence, severity, missing inputs and next actions.
• Your question (yours): the decision or problem, and what a good outcome looks like.

How to start:

1. Look first. Use what they've already attached, pasted or put in their about-me note. In a coding assistant with file access, look in the project too for these by name.
2. Check what's missing. Look for resumes or CVs, an audit report, your question. They can attach files, paste the details, or share a file path your assistant can read. Ask only for missing facts that change the result. If they ask you to start with what they have, complete the parts you can and mark the gaps.
3. Do the job. Follow the skill below with the facts and tools you have. Mark each gap with MISSING: where it belongs and never invent a fact to fill it.

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"

If you also have an ATS check report for the resume, read it first and fix the problems it names.

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) - Software that reads your file. Many systems parse plain text best, but they differ, so test by pasting your file into a plain-text view and check what survives
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.)

Section Header Formatting

ATS-Recognized Headers:

• PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE or WORK EXPERIENCE
• EDUCATION
• SKILLS or TECHNICAL SKILLS
• PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY or SUMMARY
• CERTIFICATIONS
• PROJECTS

Format Options:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

or

Professional Experience
_______________________

or

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Contact Information Layout

Recommended Format

JOHN SMITH
john.smith@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | linkedin.com/in/johnsmith
San Francisco, CA

Alternative Format

JOHN SMITH
San Francisco, CA
john.smith@email.com | (555) 123-4567
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith | GitHub: github.com/johnsmith

What to Include

• ✅ Full name
• ✅ Professional email
• ✅ Phone number
• ✅ City, State (no full address needed)
• ✅ LinkedIn URL
• ✅ Portfolio/GitHub (if relevant)

What to Exclude

• ❌ Full street address
• ❌ Photo
• ❌ Date of birth
• ❌ Marital status
• ❌ Multiple phone numbers
• ❌ Personal social media

Experience Section Formatting

Standard Format

COMPANY NAME | City, ST
Job Title | Month Year - Month Year

• Achievement bullet with metrics and results
• Achievement bullet with metrics and results
• Achievement bullet with metrics and results

Alternative Format

Job Title
COMPANY NAME, City, ST                    Month Year - Month Year

• Achievement bullet with metrics and results
• Achievement bullet with metrics and results

Date Formatting

• Consistent format: Use same format throughout
• Recommended: Month Year (Jan 2020 - Present)
• Also acceptable: MM/YYYY (01/2020 - Present)
• Avoid: Full dates (January 15, 2020)

Bullet Point Guidelines

• Length: 1-2 lines each
• Format: Start with action verb, end with result
• Quantity: 3-6 bullets per role (more for recent, fewer for old)
• Symbol: Use standard bullets (•, -, *)

Skills Section Formatting

Option 1: Simple List

SKILLS
Python, JavaScript, SQL, React, Node.js, AWS, Docker, Git, Agile, JIRA

Option 2: Categorized

TECHNICAL SKILLS
Languages: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, SQL
Frameworks: React, Node.js, Django, Flask
Tools: AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, Git, Jenkins

Option 3: Columns (Not recommended: see the DON'T list above, which says not to use columns)

SKILLS
Languages        Frameworks       Tools
Python           React            AWS
JavaScript       Node.js          Docker
SQL              Django           Git

Note: Multi-column layouts may cause ATS issues. Prefer Option 1 or 2. Use this only if the user insists, and tell them to test it first.

Education Section Formatting

Standard Format

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of California, Berkeley | 2018
GPA: 3.8/4.0 (include if 3.5+)

With Honors/Details

EDUCATION
MBA, Finance & Strategy | Stanford Graduate School of Business | 2020
• Graduated with Distinction
• Relevant Coursework: Corporate Finance, M&A Strategy

Visual Hierarchy Principles

Hierarchy Order

1. Name - Largest, most prominent
2. Section Headers - Clear divisions
3. Job Titles/Company Names - Easy to scan
4. Bullet Points - The details

Creating Hierarchy

• Use font SIZE to create levels
• Use BOLD for emphasis (names, titles, headers)
• Use CAPS for section headers
• Use consistent spacing to separate sections

White Space Management

Good White Space:

• Between sections (clear separation)
• After headings (visual breathing room)
• Between bullets (don't cram)
• Around margins (frame the content)

Bad White Space:

• Huge gaps between sections
• Inconsistent spacing
• Half-empty pages
• Excessive margins eating space

Common Formatting Mistakes

Mistake 1: Wall of Text

Problem: Dense paragraphs with no bullets Solution: Use bullet points, keep paragraphs short

Mistake 2: Inconsistent Formatting

Problem: Different fonts, sizes, or styles throughout Solution: Pick one format and stick to it

Mistake 3: Trying to Be Creative

Problem: Fancy designs that break ATS Solution: Save creativity for portfolio, not resume

Mistake 4: Too Much Information

Problem: Cramming everything onto one page Solution: Edit ruthlessly, prioritize relevance

Mistake 5: Not Enough Information

Problem: Half-page resume with massive margins Solution: Add detail, reduce margins (to 0.5")

File Format Guidelines

For Online Applications

• .docx - Usually safe for ATS parsing (follow the employer's own instructions if they give a format)
• .pdf - Good if created from Word (not scanned)

For Email/Direct Send

• .pdf - Preserves formatting

File Naming

FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf
JohnSmith_Resume_ProductManager.pdf

Avoid:

• resume_final_v2_updated_FINAL.docx
• resume (1).pdf
• Untitled document.docx

Output Format

When formatting a resume:

# RESUME FORMATTING REVIEW

## Current Issues
- [ ] [Issue 1]
- [ ] [Issue 2]
- [ ] [Issue 3]

## Recommended Changes

### Document Setup
- Margins: [Current] → [Recommended]
- Font: [Current] → [Recommended]
- Font sizes: [Current] → [Recommended]

### Section Order
**Current:** [Current order]
**Recommended:** [New order and why]

### Visual Improvements
- [Specific change 1]
- [Specific change 2]

### ATS Compatibility Fixes
- [Fix 1]
- [Fix 2]

## Before/After Preview

### Before:
[Description or example of current formatting]

### After:
[Description or example of improved formatting]

After this

When you've handed it back, suggest what they could do next in one short question. It's a suggestion: if they're done, that's fine. Offer these, and say they can type their own:

• The Resume and job application builder. It takes the resumes or CVs.
• Grow on social with the LinkedIn profile rewriter. If they pick one and that skill is added here, carry straight on with what you just made. If not, give the link and say what to bring.

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