Resume layout?

You will create a good impression if your resume is attractive and easy to read. An inviting resume layout draws attention to your qualifications. If you take pity on the reviewer's eyes, chances are better that he or she will spend more time reviewing your resume -- and will remember it better.

To make your resume easier to read and copy, print it on white or lightly colored paper. Loud, garish colors may attract attention, but they risk creating an unprofessional impression. Also, use a laser printer and keep the font size at 10 point or above. The reviewer shouldn't have to struggle to read your words.

[Click here for about design and layout for an online resume or a scannable resume.]

Resume Design

Good resume writers use design elements strategically. Boldface, large type, capital letters, centering, or horizontal lines can be used to make headings stand out on the page. Bullets or italics can draw attention to key accomplishments. One inch margins around the page and blank lines between sections will make all the information easier to see.

Any graphics you use should be consistent with your occupation's standards. Graphics appropriate for one occupation might be inappropriate for another. As Tom Harris, a manager at a marketing firm in Minneapolis, explains, "Small design elements are nice -- a border or a name and address printed in letterhead style. But large graphics are distracting. They make me wonder if the person would rather be a graphic artist instead of an account manager."

To give it a consistent flow, maintain the same resume layout and style from beginning to end. The layout of every section should be the same. For example, if your education heading is bold and centered, every heading should be bold and centered. In the same way, chose one typeface, such as Arial, Courier, or Times New Roman, and use it throughout.

When you have finished, hold your resume at arm's length and examine it. Make sure the type is easy to read and that the material lays out evenly on the page. You may need to experiment with different layouts before deciding which you like best.

Resume Length

A long resume is difficult for a reviewer to digest and retain; and, given the volume of resumes many reviewers receive, long resumes are often ignored. Although rules about length are more flexible than they once were, general guidelines still exist. Most students and recent graduates use a one-page resume, other workers use one or two pages, and the very experienced use two or three pages. If your resume doesn't match this pattern, it probably contains unnecessary words or irrelevant information. Eliminate anything that does not help prove you're qualified for the job.