Resume Style

What resume style is appropriate? How should you format the paragraphs? The following information is part of a larger article on how to write a resume. It comes to us from Resume Edge, "The Net's Premier Resume Writing and Editing Service."

Text Presentation: Bullets vs. Paragraphs

As you create your resume, your primary objective should be to present data in a clear, easy-to-read manner. Generally speaking, providing Professional Experience and Career Accomplishments in a bulleted format will offer information in an easily digestible format. Why?

In this economy, hiring managers are busier than ever, scanning more and more applicant resumes. When faced with a document that is text heavy, featuring blocks of uninterrupted type, next to one in which that same data is presented in a clean, easy-to-read bulleted format, which do you think the hiring manager will choose?

An example:

Paragraph format

Configured and supported company's PC's in heterogeneous LAN environment with over 350 users; supported company LAN/WAN, including installation and configuration of company routers, switches, and hubs. Led three person team supporting operations for Novell 4.11 file, print, Unix, and Windows NT 4.0 servers, as well as Windows NT 4.0 workstations, Windows 95 & 98 desktops, and remote access laptops. Administered and managed security for remote access service through Windows NT 4.0 servers to access corporate LAN/WAN. Designed/developed standard desktop environment and prepared system images for deployment. Supported Lotus Notes 4.6 clients, including remote replication of server databases. Wrote and distributed procedures for end-users and technicians for upgrading and implementing system/software roll-outs.

The same information in a bulleted format

• Configured and supported company's PC's in heterogeneous LAN environment with over 350 users; supported company LAN/WAN, including installation and configuration of company routers, switches, and hubs.
• Led three person team supporting operations for Novell 4.11 file, print, Unix, and Windows NT 4.0 servers, as well as Windows NT 4.0 workstations, Windows 95 & 98 desktops, and remote access laptops.
• Administered and managed security for remote access service through Windows NT 4.0 servers to access corporate LAN/WAN.
• Designed/developed standard desktop environment and prepared system images for deployment.
• Supported Lotus Notes 4.6 clients, including remote replication of server databases.
• Wrote and distributed procedures for end-users and technicians for upgrading and implementing system/software roll-outs.

In the first example, the data is uninterrupted, dense, and daunting. The second example, on the other hand, allows the hiring manager to pause and digest the data before moving on to the next sentence.

The information above on resume style was provided by ResumeEdge.com, Give Your Resume an Edge!