ORGANIZATION
1. Try to fit everything on one page. Although this isn’t a requirement at every company, it is oftentimes the standard, and you don’t want to be ruled out of the running before anyone even takes a look at the content of your résumé. This may mean cutting positions or adjusting the margins.
2. Use consistent formatting. Your font choices and sizes should be the same or match appropriately between sections. Spacing should be the same throughout as well. If you are writing a cover letter or attaching a reference list, make sure the headers on these are the same as on your résumé.
3. Divide into sections. You should separate your accomplishments into sensible groups, such as Education, Relevant Experience, Honors, Skills, etc. Make sure to include headings that are easily distinguishable and have white space in between them. Even if it means cutting back on content, white space is important to have so that the reader is not overwhelmed by text.
CONTENT
1. Use bullet points to summarize. Bullet points are a great way to organize your content. They’re easy on the eye and are more concise than full sentences. When describing your professional accomplishments, start the bullet point off with a strong, descriptive verb. For current positions, use present tense. For past positions, use past tense. Preferably limit the length of each bulleted point to one line of text.
Ex. -Generated monetary support for the university using fundraising information and techniques
2. Tailor content to job description. You should adapt your résumé to the job to which you’re applying. Include past jobs that are comparable to the new position and honors that are relevant in the potential industry. Your skills might be relevant in most cases, but if a specific skill is mentioned in the job description, you should make sure to list it on your résumé (as long as you possess it). Gearing your résumé to specific jobs will demonstrate how suited you are for the position, and it will also show the reader that you spent time thoroughly reading the job description.
Your résumé is an essential part of the application process because it is oftentimes the first impression you give an employer. Follow these tips to get on the right track to building a strong résumé. Then, if you have the chance, have your résumé reviewed by someone who has been successful in your field.
-Samantha Phillips
What advice have you been given about résumés?
1. Try to fit everything on one page. Although this isn’t a requirement at every company, it is oftentimes the standard, and you don’t want to be ruled out of the running before anyone even takes a look at the content of your résumé. This may mean cutting positions or adjusting the margins.
2. Use consistent formatting. Your font choices and sizes should be the same or match appropriately between sections. Spacing should be the same throughout as well. If you are writing a cover letter or attaching a reference list, make sure the headers on these are the same as on your résumé.
3. Divide into sections. You should separate your accomplishments into sensible groups, such as Education, Relevant Experience, Honors, Skills, etc. Make sure to include headings that are easily distinguishable and have white space in between them. Even if it means cutting back on content, white space is important to have so that the reader is not overwhelmed by text.
CONTENT
1. Use bullet points to summarize. Bullet points are a great way to organize your content. They’re easy on the eye and are more concise than full sentences. When describing your professional accomplishments, start the bullet point off with a strong, descriptive verb. For current positions, use present tense. For past positions, use past tense. Preferably limit the length of each bulleted point to one line of text.
Ex. -Generated monetary support for the university using fundraising information and techniques
2. Tailor content to job description. You should adapt your résumé to the job to which you’re applying. Include past jobs that are comparable to the new position and honors that are relevant in the potential industry. Your skills might be relevant in most cases, but if a specific skill is mentioned in the job description, you should make sure to list it on your résumé (as long as you possess it). Gearing your résumé to specific jobs will demonstrate how suited you are for the position, and it will also show the reader that you spent time thoroughly reading the job description.
Your résumé is an essential part of the application process because it is oftentimes the first impression you give an employer. Follow these tips to get on the right track to building a strong résumé. Then, if you have the chance, have your résumé reviewed by someone who has been successful in your field.
-Samantha Phillips
What advice have you been given about résumés?
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