Resume Format

Answer 1

Crafting a resume is an important part of any job application, so be sure that you format your resume appropriately.

Resume Length

First, determine how long your resume should be. Most employers want to see a resume of exactly one page, although some fields allow for longer resumes. Check the standard resume length of the field you are interested in; perhaps research some examples to give you an idea of what's appropriate. The length of your resume will greatly affect how much space you have to convey your experience and help you decide when to use full sentences or condensed bullet points.

Resume Style

Your work should be able to speak for itself, so keep the style of the resume simple and clean. Stick with a standard, 12-point font, and use the default margins of your word processing program. It is acceptable to make your name large or in all capitals at the top of the page, but remember: your aim is to draw attention to your experience, not your middle initial.

Resume Section Format

Most applicants will divide their resumes into 3-5 sections in order to highlight the different areas of their experience. Be sure to provide a header for each section. You may choose to bold this header or put it in all capitals. Depending on the length of your resume, you may choose to put a line of space below the header. For each entry beneath that header be sure to include the name and location of the company, your role in the company, and the dates that you were employed. You may then choose to summarize your experience in 1-5 sentences, or in a series of bullet points. Use active verbs to describe your work, and specify the skills that you put to use in each role.

Contact Information is Key

No matter how you choose to format your resume, be sure to include your contact information very clearly at either the top or bottom of the page. Include your full name, mailing address, email address, and phone number. Make sure your future employer has all of the information at hand in order to contact you for that much coveted interview.