How to Format a Simple Resume

Many young people just beginning to write their resume can become frustrated in doing so. The structure of this resume has a look that is elegant and sophisticated, yet is quite easy to put together. Follow these steps for tips about formatting yours.

Instructions

1. Use paper that is clean and smooth and only use black printer ink. Use an easy-to-read font, such as Times Roman or Helvetica.

2. Start with your letterhead at the top of the resume, which means providing your address. For example: Jane Doe; 2367 Mocking Bird Lane; New York, NY 87657; [phone].

3. Remember the acronym OEEA -- Objective, Experience, Education and Additional Skills -- especially if you're working on resume after resume for different companies that are each of a slightly different business offering. Each of the following four groups must be single-spaced. Between each group, you must double space.

4. Objective. This is the first thing to write and should be a quick sentence stating your primary interest in seeking employment with that company. An example objective is: "My pursuit in the area of food service is because of having been raised in a family business quite like this one, and I truly know my way around both the kitchen and the dining room."

5. Experience. Begin with the name of the current employer, date of beginning of employment, location of the company and information about specific work that you're doing. You then list each employer in the same way, not forgetting to list specifics when or if applicable. You may want to leave out the fact that you worked in the restaurant business in your freshman year of college, especially if you've just graduated with your education degree and applying for a teaching position.

6. Education. List the degree that you earned most recently. Type the name of the school, the city and state and the month and year of completion.

7. The "Additional Skills" section is the place to add talents or accomplishments connected to the specific job pursuit, such as: scouting, 4-H, life guarding in your spare time or trained opera singer. Consider anything that you may have experienced or even witnessed that brought an enormous level of influence to you.

References

• Quintessential Careers: What Resume Format is Best for You?