Professional Resume Structure I Use with Clients
After reviewing hundreds of resumes for engineers, marketers, and finance leaders, I rely on the same backbone that keeps attention on results.
- Use a single column with 1.5–2 cm margins and 10–11.5pt sans-serif fonts.
- Place a sharp summary and capability snapshot above the first fold.
- Limit recent roles to 4–6 bullets each, written as action + metric + outcome.
- Keep colour minimal—one accent for headings and links keeps it professional.
Start with our resume template library or the modern ATS template and drop your achievements into the placeholders.
How to Make a Resume Professional with Evidence
I ask every client for dashboards, peer feedback, and before/after metrics. Those inputs turn bland bullets into proof.
Evidence sources
- Performance reviews with quantified outcomes.
- Project retros or Jira reports showing cycle time or velocity.
- Customer or stakeholder testimonials that mention specific wins.
Once you have evidence, rewrite each bullet as action + scope + result. This approach makes your professional resume read like a case study, not a job description.
Styling Rules that Keep Templates ATS-Friendly
Fancy design is unnecessary. Keep formatting light and consistent so Applicant Tracking Systems parse everything cleanly.
Spacing and typography
Use consistent line spacing and avoid text boxes. Stick to standard fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Source Sans Pro.
Linking and branding
Add a single accent colour for headings and hyperlinks to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio. Avoid logos that could misalign in PDF exports.
File handling
Save a PDF for sending and a Word version for quick edits. Run a plain text paste to confirm bullets and headings stay ordered.
FAQs
Which resume templates best support professional roles?
Templates with clear hierarchy, consistent spacing, and room for quantified achievements make a professional resume easy to scan.
Do graphics help a professional resume stand out?
No. Recruiters favour clean layouts without icons or tables because they parse better in Applicant Tracking Systems.
How do I customise a template quickly?
Create a master resume, then duplicate it and swap three elements: headline, top skills, and first two role bullet points to match the job ad.
Next Steps
Pick one template, drop in your best metrics, and compare it against our ATS review guide before submitting.
If you need a professional resume built for you, request a free review and we will map out the rebuild together.
