To create a resume that will get noticed by employers, you can follow a few simple steps and best practices. The main goal to keep in mind is to make your resume relevant and readable. While strong content is what catches recruiters’ attention, consistent and simple formatting allows your experiences to shine through. Check out this quick video to learn about best practices for resume formatting:
Formatting Guidelines
- Font: Use simple fonts and keep font size should between 10 to 12pt. Don’t go smaller than 10 pt!
- Margins: Margins should be no smaller than ½ inch. Sometimes people need to print resumes!
- Keep a Master Resume: We recommend having a “Master Resume” file that includes entries for everything you’ve done in college no matter how many pages. Make sure you update your resume as you gain experience while it is fresh in your mind at the end of each semester.
- Length: Resumes should be kept to 1-page for job and internship applications. Every time you apply for a job, resave your master resume as a new file and cut it down to 1-page of the most relevant experience for each position you apply to. You can submit your master resume to grad school and professional school applications
- File Name: Your resume should be a .docx or .PDF document with a unique file name that includes your name. For example, “Reyes_Connie_Resume.docx”
- Proofread: There’s nothing worse than typos on your resume. Be sure to have several others proofread it to avoid this common mistake.