Six Seconds
Research says on average, people give six seconds of their time to review a resume.
Therefore, ensure the document is as brief as possible and keep the most important information in the top half of the page.
Formatting Your Resume
Get past the applicant tracking systems.
What is a resume?
It's a marketing tool... for you! It's a document for you to present your skills, experiences, and qualifications to potential employers. It should demonstrate your potential while still being quick and easy to read. This article will give you a better idea of how to maintain your resume over the next several years.
Keep Reading to Learn:
- Tips for creating a simple and clean resume
An Evolving Document
Not only will your resume change over time, but it will change when you apply for different jobs, too! Catering your resume for each application is important, not only to impress recruiters, but to impress Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS's) as well.
Know Your Audience!
Pay attention to the skills required for different positions you're applying for, and make sure you're clearly describing the qualifications you meet in your resume. The closer you match to the language in the job description, the better!
It' s About You . . . But Not Really
While your resume is a document about you, avoid the use of pronouns like "I, me, my, we" etc.
This allows your resume to focus on important details and eliminate unnecessary wordiness and repetition.
Check Your Grammar
Pay attention to the spellcheck, and if you're unsure about something visit the Writing Center for feedback!
This document might be the very first impression you make with an employer, so be sure to put your best foot forward!
To Objective or Not to Objective
On resume examples, you might see an "Objective" statement, and others, there is a "Professional Profile.” Whether you include either of these sections depends on the situation and your preference.
| Objective Statement | Professional Profile |
|---|---|
| An Objective can be useful in personalizing a resume for a specific position or organization you are applying to, highlighting skills and attributes they're seeking. | A Professional Profile is generally for someone more experienced (usually with 2-3 years of post-grad experience), and highlights overall experience, not necessarily specific to any one position or application. |
Keep it Short, Simple, and Easy to Read!
- Rarely will a resume need to be more than 1- page long
- Use simple fonts, such as Arial and Times New Roman
- strategically use underlining and bolding text to make things stand out
- Fonts should range between 11-14pt
- Divide up content with headers to direct the reader's eye from one section to another
- Be OK with sacrificing older jobs or experiences in order to keep it on a single page
- Use bullet points to describe your experiences, not paragraphs
Turn Back Time
Keep information on the resume in Reverse Chronological Order.
That means that things you are either currently doing, or are newest are toward the top of the section, and get progressively older as you read on.
- For example, your current on campus job as a campus tour guide would be above the high school job as a nanny that you just quit two months ago.
Avoid Templates
Microsoft Word or online resume builders might tempt you to use a template, but avoid them!
Templates often lock you into a rigid, inflexible format that is difficult to change.
The formatting in templates also makes your resume harder for ATS's to read, and might mean that a recruiter sees dozens of resumes that look exactly the same. Instead, use some of our resume samples and tips for guidance in creating your own personalized document!
Next Steps
- Draft your resume content in a Microsoft Word document and tailor your skills and experiences to the appropriate audience(s)
- Stop by the Career Development Center to have your resume reviewed by a career peer