When editing professional resume layouts in Word, having the key functionalities and knowing how to use them can make a big difference how refined and sleek your resume looks. Start with the core text settings like font style and size. Stick to minimalist, professional fonts such as Calibri and keep the size between 11–12 pt for body text. Use bold for section headings to create a clear visual hierarchy that guides the reader.

The paragraph settings are just as important. Adjust leading to 1.15 or 1.5 to make your CV more legible without wasting space. Use consistent indentation and justification throughout. Left align all text unless you have a specific design reason to center something. Avoid using tab stops to align content; instead use the table feature to organize timelines and roles neatly.

Word’s predefined formatting templates can streamline your workflow and ensure uniformity. Apply heading styles like H1 and H2 to section titles so that your document structure remains modular and adaptable. If you need to change the look of all headings later, you can modify the template in one place and it will change everywhere.

Don’t forget about margins. Set them to at least 0.5 inches on all sides to give your CV some visual air. Too narrow margins can make your document look messy and unprofessional. You can adjust margins under the Layout tab.

Use the document ruler to precisely adjust margins and indents. If you need to move a line or paragraph precisely, you can hold down the Alt key while using the arrow keys for subtle repositioning.

For bullet points and lists, keep them simple and uniform. Avoid combining symbols. Use the list creation feature rather than typing symbols manually. This ensures proper formatting and makes updating efficient later.

Check your document for invisible style conflicts. Sometimes copying text from PDFs or websites brings in legacy spacing. Use the remove formatting tool or paste as plain text to remove these. You can also use the show formatting marks feature to see tabs so you can fix spacing errors.

Finally, site (ctpedia.org) always save a backup copy before making structural updates. Use Save a Copy to create a separate file so you can revert if needed. And before sending your CV, use Print Preview to make sure everything looks as expected on paper. A cleanly designed resume reflects attention to detail.