A resume is a reflection of the owner's professional personality. If it's messy and unorganized, it can suggest an owner who possesses those same qualities. A clean, well-structured resume, on the other hand, is an immediate signal that the writer is capable of completing organized, coherent projects. No matter how impressive your credentials are, a resume may be tossed if it's hard to read or printed on bright, colored paper, especially when an employer has hundreds of resumes to scan. So what can you do to clean up your resume and help it attract the positive attention it deserves?
Simple Lines
Keep all of your text in clean, straight lines. Be sure all of the dates on the left hand side of the page, for example, are aligned in one vertical column. Also check that the rest of the text begins every line at the same tab mark on the page. Clean lines make a resume flow more smoothly, and allow the reader to easily differentiate between sections of the document. If a resume is full of jagged left text edges and uneven columns, it makes the writing hard to follow down the page.
Uncomplicated Font
Choose a font that is common and easy-to-read, such as Times New Roman or Garamond. The main font should always be a serif font, which means the text is a style with some type of decorative line to finish the ends of a letter (other examples include Bookman Old Style, Times and Century Schoolbook.) Studies have shown that serif fonts are easier to read on a printed page. A second font may be used for subject headings and your name at the top of the page, such as Copperplate Gothic. It is okay to use a sans serif font in this case (a text without the decorative line finishing the letters, such as Arial or Helvetica.) A second font makes the resume more attractive to the eye and distinguishes sections and headings from the basic text. These guidelines are just a suggestion, many people choose to use other fonts on their resumes which also work. The goal is to make your resume flow easily, and not distract the reader from the content.
Choose the Right Paper
You don't have to spend a lot of money on premium resume paper. Choose a clean white stock, and don't use other colors such as pink and blue - they distract from the professionalism of a resume. Off-white or very light gray papers are fine, but nothing that takes away from the importance of your application. If you were submitting a report or project at work, it wouldn't be on colored paper, and your resume should be treated with the same professional style.
A Final Review
It's common knowledge in the employment world that the content of your resume should be held to the highest standards, but it's also important to remember that the look and feel of the document is equally important. A clean and attractive resume is key to bringing positive attention to your credentials. The goal is to convince the employer to read the excellent content on your resume, and organized design is crucial for accomplishing this. So use that left-hand alignment, change that crazy font to something a bit more classic and throw out that baby blue paper. You want your resume to draw attention to the content, not distract from it, and a refined resume is the way to do it.
Every resume is different. If you are an accountant with 15 years of experience, your resume is going to be very different than that of a recent college grad who hasn't even taken the CPA exam. But there are quite a few things that should always be done when creating a resume, no matter where you are in your career.
The Basics
The usual pieces of a resume should always be included: a name and address, in addition to contact information such as phone number, fax number and an email address. Be sure this information is correct and easy to read; it is the only way an employer can contact you, and one wrong number can mean you'll never get the phone call!
You should also include a brief section on education, with the large part of your resume being dedicated to work experience. This section should include not only your past titles and the companies you have worked for, but also a list of your major accomplishments or responsibilities while working there.
Dates
When you did the things on your resume is very important to a potential employer. They want to know how long you worked at different positions, how many years of experience you have and how long you were out of work in between jobs. In an employer's mind, these numbers often translate into dedication, experience and work ethic. If you do not display them prominently, it can seem that you are trying to downplay your dedication and experience or lack thereof. If there are any unusually large gaps of time when you were not working, be sure to note what you were doing at the time, such as traveling or volunteering.
Dates of work experience are usually displayed on the left hand side of the page, in a neat column. This gives an easy-to-read timeline on where you have been and what you have accomplished.
Keywords
Career development is one of the most popular reasons for visiting the Internet, and you will often submit your resume online. This means that the resume will be scanned by a computer software program before it actually reaches a human. The site will simply be programmed to search for specific keywords, depending on what the company needs. Many resume writers suggest adding a Keyword section at the bottom of the resume, providing a complete list of words related to the position you are searching for. If you don't necessarily want to add a new section, be sure to include those keywords throughout the resume. If you are looking for a job in accounting, try including words such as accounting, accountant, CPA, audit, or any other words that could be used to explain your abilities and credentials.
The Value of Truth
Always be truthful on your resume. Period. According to Resume.com, between 23% and 45% of all resumes contain "significant fabrications." You should never lie on your resume, especially considering the popularity of resume review companies, which are hired by employers to check facts on the resumes they collect. Obviously, a lie on your resume won't get you anything more than embarrassment. Even if someone is hired and becomes a star employee, the company will almost always fire that person if they later discover they lied on their resume.
Edit, Edit, Edit
Once you have written the first draft of your resume, it's time to edit. Carefully read over the text and search for spelling errors, grammatical problems and other confusing text. No matter how great your credentials may be, a blaring editorial problem can be the only thing an employer sees. Have other people read through your resume. Don't rely solely on the spell-checking feature on your computer. Also, it's important to review your headings for correct spelling and placement. Go through and read your resume section by section, and then try reading from top to bottom and bottom to top, which often makes it easier to find the smallest mistakes.
Different But the Same
No matter how different the information is in two resumes, the fundamentals of good content remain the same. If you want your resume to demand respect from a potential employer, be sure to include the basics, display a "timeline" of your career history, spread keywords throughout the document, always be completely honest with your credentials and edit as many times as possible. Then edit again. Then have someone else edit it for you. Get the point? A quality resume will start with great credentials and grab the attention of a potential employer with comprehensive and flawless content.
Once your resume is a finished document, complete with an attractive design and comprehensive content, it's time to add one last thing…a cover letter. While a resume is the bread and butter of who you are to a potential employer, a cover letter can be the personal touch that makes you stand out from the rest of the crowd.
Second in Command
When preparing a cover letter, it's important to remember that the resume is always the most important part of your application. In fact, most employers read the resume first, and then if they are still interested they will take the time to read your cover letter. So never rely on the cover letter alone to get you in the door-use it instead to give you an edge once your resume has gotten you through the first round.
Get Personal
Always write your cover letter to the appropriate contact at the company. "To Whom It May Concern" does not cut it if you are serious about applying for a position. Take the time to find out whom you should send your resume to, and direct your letter to their attention. This gives you a specific contact with whom you can follow-up, and they will know you were interested enough to do some research on the company.
What You Have to Offer Their Company
Every cover letter you write should be customized for the specific company who will receive it. It is not enough to simply change names at the top of the letter. Research the company and address their specific needs; more specifically, concentrate on highlighting the benefits you can offer to the company. The cover letter is your chance to interpret the top skills on your resume and discuss why they make you the best candidate for the position.
The Next Step
At the end of your letter, make it clear that you are actively pursuing a position with the company, and not just sending out your resume to a long list of potential employers. Request an interview, and let the contact know that you will be in touch to further discuss your credentials and the open position if you haven't heard from them by a certain date.
Final Countdown
Once you are ready to send out your resume and cover letter, do a final edit! Mistakes on a cover letter are just as detrimental as they are on a resume. Your letter is an excellent indication of your communication skills, and a great opportunity to display just how well you can express yourself.
A cover letter is usually not the first thing an employer reads, but it does have the power to make a more personal, customized pitch for your credentials. Be sure it's customized for every company that receives it, make it clear that you are active in your pursuit of the job and edit it just as carefully as your resume. The cover letter is your chance to actually discuss your credentials, and serves as the first "conversation" with a potential employer, giving you a better chance of setting up your second conversation-an interview.
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