Resume format in Word: how to set it up and save it properly

Set the page once before typing, so you don't fight the layout later. These settings fit a fresher resume on one page and an experienced one on two, while staying easy to read.

Use the reverse-chronological format in one column. Paste this plain-text template into a blank Word document, apply Heading 2 to each capitalised section title, and replace the brackets.

FULL NAME
City, State | +91 XXXXX XXXXX | name@email.com | linkedin.com/in/yourname

SUMMARY
[Role or degree] with [experience] in [2–3 skills from the job post]. [One line on what you want to do next.]

WORK EXPERIENCE
[Job Title], [Company], [City] | [Mon YYYY] – Present
• [Action verb + task + result you can explain]
• [Action verb + tool/process + who benefited]

PROJECTS
[Project name] | [Tools] | [YYYY]
• [What it does and your part]

EDUCATION
[Degree, Branch], [College], [University] | [YYYY–YYYY] | CGPA [X.X/10]
Class XII, [Board] | [YYYY] | [XX%]
Class X, [Board] | [YYYY] | [XX%]

SKILLS
[Skill], [Skill], [Tool], [Tool]

CERTIFICATIONS
[Name], [Issuer] | [YYYY]

Freshers should move Education and Projects above Work Experience. For why this order works and how it changes with experience, see the resume format guide.

Anything that places text outside the normal reading order. An ATS extracts the text line by line; it may skip or jumble content held in these features.

• Text boxes and shapes: often skipped entirely. Type straight onto the page instead.
• Tables for layout: two-column tables can merge your left and right columns into one confusing line. Use tabs or a single column.
• Header and footer: some systems ignore them, so a phone number placed there may never reach the recruiter. Keep contact details in the body.
• Icons, photos and skill bars: carry no readable text. Write “Email:” or just the address; list skills as words.
• Fancy built-in templates: many Word and online templates use all of the above. Check a template by selecting all text and pasting it into Notepad before you use it.

Send a PDF unless the employer asks for Word. A PDF keeps your layout fixed on every device; a .docx can reflow when the recruiter has different fonts or a different Word version. Some recruitment consultants and older portals ask for .docx because they edit or re-upload it; send Word then.

1. 1

   Keep a master .docx

   File → Save As → Word Document. Name it Firstname-Lastname-Resume.docx. This is the copy you edit for each job.

2. 2

   Export a PDF

   File → Save As (or Export) → PDF. In Options, keep “Document structure tags for accessibility” ticked so the text stays selectable.

3. 3

   Test it

   Open the PDF, select all, copy and paste into Notepad. Clean text in the right order means an ATS can read it too.

Using Google Docs instead? The same rules apply: File → Download → PDF Document (.pdf) or Microsoft Word (.docx).

If you would rather not manage margins and styles, the ResumeGyani builder lays out your content in any of 49 templates with standard headings, and you can switch templates without retyping. Building and previewing are free; the watermark-free PDF download is paid. Before sending, check the file with the ATS score checker; the first check is free.