How to Format a Job Resume
A properly formatted resume is a powerful marketing tool to potential employers. Your resume should be formatted so that it is one to two pages in length and showcases your strongest abilities without listing all of your past duties. When formatting your resume, research the potential employer's needs and align your experiences and skills to those needs. Following the guidelines and suggestions below will assist you in creating a resume that stands out from the rest.
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Instructions
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Know your audience. The format and tone of your resume will be different depending on the type of position you're applying for. For example, applying for a federal position will require different resume items than a private sector position. Always look over the job announcement before writing or editing your resume to ensure you've covered all bases.
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Start with your contact information. If you are in school, list both your current and permanent addresses. Also list your phone number and email address. If you have a web address with information relevant to your skills (for example, if you are a writer and maintain a blog), you may want to include this as well. Just make sure the information on the website is appropriate for viewing by a prospective employer!
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Create a specific objective statement. This statement is your goal that is specific to the company and position to which you are applying. An example of a specific objective format is, "A position as a writer for the Washington Times where I can utilize my extensive writing and editing skills." By customizing this statement, you are showing the company that their opportunity is important.
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List your education, starting with the most recent. If you have one or more college degrees, it isn't necessary to list your high school education. If your GPA is something that you are proud of, include that as well. Be sure to list the full name of the school, the school's city and state, the degree earned and the year, and your major. If you graduated cum laude or summa cum laude, include it here as well.
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Order your experience. List your experience in reverse chronological order, with your most recent position first. Include the company, your job title, and the to/from dates that you held the position. Repeat this for all of your relevant professional experience. It isn't necessary to list part-time jobs held while in school, unless you are applying for an internship or entry-level position. Include short bullets under each experience on your resume that describe what you accomplished in each position. These statements should begin with action words, such as "Created," "Produced," or "Managed."
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Emphasize your accomplishments and training. Format this section with bullets as well, and include specific awards, trainings or certifications. In this section, you can also include personal accomplishments, such as volunteer activities.
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Proofread. Print out a hard copy of your finished resume and scrutinize the formatting, spelling and grammar. These are simple errors; however, they are commonly the reason that most resumes don't move further in the hiring process. Take the time to double and triple check, and ask a friend or colleague to look the resume over as well.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't use a resume template that you can download online. Chances are the formatting will look different on an employer's screen than it does on yours.
Don't use any watermarks or shading on your resume. It may not scan or copy correctly and may be hard for the employer to read.
References
Resources
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