In the digital age, hiring managers often receive many more resumes than they can read thoroughly. The result? Employers are likely to skim resumes initially, looking for keywords, job titles, school names, or other quick indicators that you’d make a good match for the position.

As a result, it is essential that your resume be tidily arranged and highly readable. Here are a few basic pointers for creating a readable and attractive resume.

Typeface
Nowadays, it is more common for employers to read resumes on a screen, rather than print them out. While many job-seekers like Times New Roman, “sans-serif” fonts like Arial or Verdana were specifically designed to be readable on a computer screen. No matter what you choose, make sure you use a common typeface that is standard across word processing programs. Stick to one font – two at the most.

Spacing
White space makes your resume cleaner and more readable. If you can spare the space, slightly increasing the line height on your resume can make it easier to skim.

Bold and Italics
Be sparing with your use of bold and italics. Never bold or italicize words unless they are part of a list item or title (like a subheading or a former company name). Instead, emphasize important information through the use of bullet points and well-chosen language.

Use Clear Headings and Subheadings
You want your resume to be easily understandable, with clear and appropriate division between each section. Subheadings can be flush left or centered, and they should generally be bolded. You may also divide each heading with a horizontal line.

Be Consistent with Formatting
Use the same format for all lists, city names, job titles, etc. For example, if you list your job title followed by the company name and dates worked, do the same for every item on your list of professional experience.

Bullets
Use bullets to draw attention to important information, like a list of achievements or job responsibilities. Bullets are much easier to skim than a paragraph of text. Make sure bullet points are short and to the point. Begin each bullet with a strong keyword, rather than filler text.

Use and Adjust Indentations
While Microsoft Word and other word processing programs will automatically indent bulleted lists, you can adjust the indentation slightly so that more or fewer words fit onto each line. Remember, it is not necessary to indent a bulleted list!

When Using Paper…
While it is rarely necessary to submit a paper resume when applying for a job, when going to an interview, it is standard to bring along a paper copy. When printing your resume, invest in a heavy stock paper with a bit of texture. It will make your resume look much nicer and feel much more substantial.

Finishing Touches
The jury is split on adding embellishments to your resume. While some people feel that adding a bit of design can help your resume stand out, others warn that you may be detracting from the readability and professionalism of the finished product.

Under any circumstance, a few small touches (diamond shaped bullets rather than round; clean horizontal lines between each major section) are never ill advised and can make the overall document look more polished. Experiment with different layouts and choose the most flattering and clean look.