Once you have chosen your Word template, it’s time to write and organize your content. Here’s how to format your Microsoft Word resume template to make it look great:

1. Use standard margins.

   Using 1-inch margins on your resume is standard. However, anywhere between half an inch to 1 inch is acceptable depending on the resume template you choose. Changing the size of the margins may help you keep your resume at the right length — one page per decade of experience, with a cap of two pages. When in doubt, keep it simple and stick with 1-inch margins for a resume that looks professional and polished.

2. Left-align your content.

   Even two column resumes should be left-aligned. This makes the content easy to read.

3. Avoid fussy fonts.

   Your resume is no place for elaborate fonts. Stick to easy-to-read and professional fonts like Ariel, Times New Roman or Calibri.

4. Use a readable font size.

   The font size of your resume content should be between 10 and 12 points. Use a slightly larger font for your header and resume section titles.

5. Use standard resume section headers.

   It’s critical that your resume is divided into sections with clear headers. This helps a recruiter find what they are looking for when scanning your resume. Don’t get creative with section headers. Instead, stick to the basics, like Professional Summary, Skills, Work Experience and other standard section titles.

6. Organize your work experience with bullet points.

   Listing the details of your work experience makes your resume easy to scan. Bullet points should be a mix of your high-level job responsibilities and your stand out professional accomplishments. Use data and metrics in this section whenever possible to make your achievements stand out and emphasize the impact of your work.