Having a well-formatted resume is almost as important as having a well written resume. Most employers receive a stack of resumes of qualified candidates and scan them quickly before they decide whether or not hey want to read further. In addition to key words, what stands out the most about your resume is its format. It is essentially the first thing people will notice, whether on paper or in electronic form.
There are a number of rules you should keep in mind when formatting your resume. First, start with a blank page. Avoid using templates that are already available in Microsoft Word. These templates are outdated, and they will make your resume appear generic and uninviting. Additionally, these templates, while well formatted in Microsoft Word, will not translate well when emailed or uploaded to job search engine web sites. You can find samples of resumes on the Internet; search for resumes by your industry to find the templates that make most sense for the job you are seeking. Than work on a blank page to replicate the look and feel of the resume you like.
Ideally, your resume should fit on one page; if you have extensive experience, limit the length of the resume to two pages, but only list experiences and skills relevant to your career objective. Even if you are applying for a job in a creative field, do not insert images or pictures into your resume. If you are looking to show off your creativity, you can do so in a separate portfolio of your work.
The page should have one inch margins, top and bottom, right and left. Use left justification only – as a rule, do not center the content of your resume. The font and font size should be consistent. Your name, and any headlines in your resume should be displayed in the same manner. Typically, the headlines will be in all caps, and in bold. Try not to underline any of the information in your resume. In the world of Internet driven job applications, underlining in a document implies a web link. Thus, using underlining for emphasis is not appropriate. The font size for headlines should not exceed 14 points; the remainder of the text in the resume should not exceed 12 points.
When trying to align your resume, be ware of spacing and tabbing. Stay consistent in the way that you are spacing out the information on the page. Use tabs, rather than spaces. You always have to anticipate that the person you are sending your resume to may have a different version of the software than you and thus may not see the exactly the same resume you are sending – it is possible that the margins will reset, paragraphs will shift, bullet points will change shape, etc. This is why you must keep the spacing consistent, as well as try to keep the font and the bullet points as basic as possible.
As a last formatting check point, ask your friends or your family for help in reviewing your resume. Send the resume file via email to a few of your friends – ask them to review the resume and make sure nothing seems out of place. Print out the resume on paper and review to make sure that margins are accurately set, and that the content doesn't appear crowded on the page. Keep in mind – when it comes to your resume, sleek simple appearance, and great writing, will get you the job you are looking for.
How To Format Resume
When it comes to using your resume to apply for a job, it's important to remember that form matters just as much as content. A nice looking resume can't make up for one that is full of spelling errors, typos, and factually incorrect information. However, an unattractive resume can completely undermine even the most impressive and well-documented credentials.
In almost every situation, it is advisable to limit your resume to a single page. There are a few circumstances where longer resumes are acceptable, but not many. The layout of your resume should allow for a sufficient amount of white space around the edges of the page. One inch margins all the way around the document are ideal, although it may be acceptable to shrink margins a little bit if necessary to fit the document on a single page.
The font that you use should be clear and easy to read. Ideally, you should use 12 point type. If you need to use a smaller font to make your resume fit on one page, you can go to a 10 point font, but never smaller. You can make your name and contact information a little bit larger so that they stand out on the page.
Verdana and Arial are excellent resume fonts because they are easy to read and the transmit well via fax. You should never use ornate fonts on your resume, such as Algerian or Bradley Hand. These fonts are nice for invitations and other casual communications, but they are not appropriate for a resume.
If you are going to fax your resume to prospective employers, it is advisable to print it on plain white copy paper for ease of transmission. If you are going to hand deliver it or mail your resume, you should invest in high quality resume paper, which you can find at any department or office supply store. Stick with white, beige, or gray paper. Pink paper does not send a professional message, nor does any other pastel, bright, or patterned paper.
When mailing your resume, make sure that the printed document is free from smudges, wrinkles, and anything else that might detract from its appearance. Neatly fold the document so that it fits perfectly inside a #10 envelope that matches the paper on which it is printed. Be sure to type the recipient's address as well as your return address on the envelope using the same typeface you used on your resume.
If your resume isn't attractive, no matter how well-written the document is, you aren't likely to experience positive results when you use it to apply for jobs.
Both Maxwell Hurst & Mary Gormandy White are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
