How to optimize your resume with this one overlooked detail

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It’s a short read this week, but that doesn’t mean you should skip it. Learn about one of the most overlooked details on a resume.

Estimated read time: 3 minutes

Don’t ignore line spacing - An oft overlooked detail

Line spacing is probably one of the most overlooked details on a resume, but is one that can have a significant impact on readability and length.

What is line spacing?

It's exactly what it sounds like. Line spacing is the amount of vertical space in between the lines on the page.

Text with little spacing will appear dense and is harder to read. As a recruiter trying to get through dozens of applicants, I found myself straining anytime someone sent in a resume that looked like the one below.

Contrast this to a resume with ample spacing, and you'll quickly see what I'm talking about. It makes a big difference in readability, which is something that's often underestimated in the job search world. Take it from me, the easier you can make a recruiter's job, the better your chances of success will be - that includes seemingly minor things like document spacing!

What should I set my line spacing to?

If you're working in Microsoft Word (my tool of choice) or Google Docs, choose a 1.1 to 1.15 line spacing, which balances readability with space usage. Any more than that and you'll take up more space than you need, and less than that won't achieve the desired effect on readability.

How do I change line spacing in Microsoft Word?

Note: This tutorial is based on Microsoft Word for Mac as a part of the Office 365 subscription. If you're using an older version of Word, your options may differ slightly.

Step 1: Highlight the text you want to modify the spacing on, then select the 'line and paragraph spacing' icon from the ribbon at the top of the screen.

Step 2: Scroll down and click on the option that says 'line spacing options'.

Step 3: In the line spacing box in the bottom right portion of the window, type in your desired line spacing. My preference is 1.1 to 1.15, as I find that's the perfect balance of spacing and efficiency.

Note: this article was adapted from Final Draft Resumes, originally published on September 7, 2022.

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About the Author

I’m James, Cofounder of Final Draft Resumes. I’ve been in the career consulting space for 13 years, and before that, I was a recruiter for AECOM.

I’ve helped thousands of job seekers, from industries like software engineering, IT, sales, marketing, manufacturing, and more generate job opportunities through well-written resumes that translate unique backgrounds into coherent narratives.

If you’re struggling with your resume for whatever reason, reach out - I just might be able to help!

If you’re more of a DIY person, then check out Resumatic, my free-to-try resume builder.