A resume should be formatted to look attractive and professional and easy to read. Companies have limited time to spare when looking at resumes. A well-formatted resume that is clear and easy to read could land you an interview. If formatting a current resume, specific words or phrases may need to be changed to make sure it is clear and easy to decipher. If you decide to format before you begin constructing the text of your resume carefully pay attention to how it looks on the page and make any necessary modifications.
Choose a Font that is Easy to Read butLooks Professional
There are so many fonts to choose from. Some individuals may get carried away when choosing fonts because they look beautiful. When creating a resume, the font should be easy to read as well as look professional. This will ensure companies do not have to struggle to try to understand the information. If you are going to be sending your resume electronically use an applicant tracking system. Most organizations use these systems. The downside of ATS systems is that they do not always show and interpret complicated fonts. Avoid using light and slim fonts that can be hard for employers to read on a computer screen or thin sheet of paper
Use a 10-12 font size
The proper font size can also mark your information easy to read. A general rule of thumb is to use font sizes between 10-12. If your resume is on the shorter side and you need to fill vacant spaces, use a 12-point font size. If your resume is a bit longer use a 10-point font size, but do not go any smaller than this.
Make your Resume Short and Sweet
A resume should be short enough so it does not overwhelm the reader with information, but sweet enough so the employer understands why the candidate would be the best fit for the position. Use concise language to get to the point and eliminate filler words such as, with, that, a, and, and like. Do not make a list of duties, pick one to two impressions you made on the organization. If there are related ideas consolidate them into a single idea.
Make Use of Bullet Points When Appropriate
Bullet points should be used in the work history, skills, achievements, and education portions of the resume. This will make the information easier for the employer to comprehend. Only use bullet points when there are more than 3 points of information. Format the list into bullet points or use punctuation to format distinct ideas.
Request Feedback
When you have completed your resume ask friends and associates to look over the resume. Having an outside point of view in addition to feedback can be very useful. They can identify grammatical errors, typos, or issues with the formatting as well as let you know if it is clear and consistent.
Use Resume Examples
When composing or modifying a resume, use resume examples within the industry you are applying to. These should not be used as the exact template for your resume, but they can act as a guide to help you create a resume that will wow potential employers.
