Here are six commonly accepted guidelines to follow when creating an electronic version of a résumé:

  1. Use a simple, clean layout
    • Stick to a basic structure with clear headings, left-aligned text, and no columns or complex formatting so that different systems and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can read it easily.
  1. Choose standard, easy‑to‑read fonts
    • Use common fonts such as Arial, Times New Roman, or similar, at a readable size (around 10–12 points) to ensure compatibility across devices and software.
  1. Avoid graphics, special characters, and elaborate formatting
    • Do not use images, text boxes, lines, unusual symbols, or fancy bullets, because many scanning systems and online forms cannot interpret them correctly.
  1. Save in a widely accepted file format
    • Keep a plain-text or other employer‑requested format (such as .txt, .doc, or .pdf) so that the résumé can be opened, searched, and stored without losing its structure.
  1. Use keywords from the job description
    • Incorporate relevant industry terms, skills, and job‑specific keywords so that ATS and résumé databases can match your résumé to the position more effectively.
  1. Proofread carefully and test before sending
    • Check spelling, grammar, spacing, and line breaks, then send a test copy to yourself or view it on another device to confirm that the formatting and content appear as intended.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.