The appearance of a good resume is often just as important as the information that is contained within it. This is because a recruiter will often just spend a few seconds glancing over your resume, and, if there is nothing eye-catching about the contents, it may be tossed aside. Many years ago, the type of resume paper you used was extremely important, and if you didn't use expensive resume paper, your curriculum vitae was not even considered. Currently, the type of paper you use for a good resume rarely makes a difference.
According to the University of Oklahoma, if you are going to print your resume, it's best to stick with a standard letter-sized paper that is either white or off-white. If you decide you want to use a color, choose either an ivory or a resume paper with a light-gray tint. Experts also recommend you choose a 16- to 20-pound bond that is 100 percent cotton. There is little need to purchase an extremely expensive or fancy resume paper, just one that has a slightly heavier composition than regular copy paper and one that will not smudge.
Most human resource departments now prefer you to submit your application electronically. This helps alleviate the need for printing your resume or selecting any type of paper. According to Doreen Collins, a global staffing quality initiatives manager for General Electric, when GE receives hard copies of resumes through the mail or those that are brought in personally during an interview, the company scans the resume into the system and throws away the copy. Like most companies, GE then uses a software program to sort through all the applicant's resumes.
A good resume presentation will be legible with no mistakes. The font should be at least 10, so it is easy to read, and your headings should be slightly larger to help make them stand out. Instead of worrying and focusing on the type of resume paper to use, concentrate on your formatting. A good resume will be short and concise, and list accomplishments and experiences that pertain to the job you are applying for. Avoid fancy fonts, jumbled data, and too many pictures that can distract from your lists of skills and experience.
In short, a good resume does not need to rely on fancy or expensive paper. If you're requested to submit a hard copy of your resume, you can never go wrong with heavy, white cotton paper. Don't worry too much about the paper as it probably won't make or break your chances of getting a job. Resume paper is just one of the small finishing touches on a good resume that gives it a more polished appearance. Chances are, a potential employer will request an electronic copy instead.
(Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)
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