A well organized resume can help land you a job. While a badly organized resume can cost you a job. Here are some tips to help you create a well organized and engaging resume.
1. Choose the Right Font
One of the most important things to remember when creating your resume is, to choose the correct font. One of the worst mistakes you can make is by trying to be “unique” or “edgy” by using a unconventional font like Tahoma or Comic Sans. Stick to a basic font like: Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, etc. Also be sure that the font size for the main body of your resume is at least 12. Make sure that the person you are giving your resume to can actually read it! And another thing to remember is to stay consistent with your font choice throughout the body of your resume. Do not start your resume in Calibri and then suddenly switch to Times New Roman halfway through.
2. Make Sure You Are Specific
You need to make sure that you include the specifics of your employment history on your resume. Do not just write: worked at electronic store. What was the store’s name? What was your job title? How long did you work there? What were your duties and responsibilities? Did you hire or train any employees while working there? So instead of writing “worked at electronic store,” write something like this:
Sales Specialist
Best Buy
08/2013-09/2014 Dallas, TX
- Assisted customers with sales transactions.
- Completed shipping invoices and maintained accurate financial records.
- Supervised over 20 customer service associates on a daily basis.
3. Check for Spelling and Grammatical Errors
A resume full of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors will ward off potential employers. Most employers will assume that you are either not smart or that you really do not care. Either way they will not consider you for employment. So make sure to proofread several times and be sure to have your resume read by someone else. Another pair of eyes can often spot mistakes that you just can’t see.
4. Keep it Short and to the Point
Most potential employers are short on time. They are just too busy to read a resume that is several pages long. The general rule of thumb with resume length tends to be around 1-2 pages. Now do not try and cut relevant information just so that your resume is one page long. If you need to, use a second page. But be sure to keep it clear and concise.
Well there you have it. A few general guidelines to help you create a well thought-out and appealing resume.
