Use Numbers
- Quantify your achievements by using facts and figures that demonstrate results, such as dollars saved or number of people supervised.
- Spell out numbers under and including "ten" and use the numerical form for 100 and beyond.
- Make certain the job title you use is easily understandable by your reader (ie: Tax Accountant vs. Accounting Specialist II )
- Don't bother using obscure vocabulary, select familiar words.
- Utilize bullet points with short phrases.
- Instead of complete sentences, use short action phrases to list your accomplishments.
- Avoid repeating the same action verb.
- When describing a current position, use the present tense and vise versa when describing a past one.
- Keep the length to one or two pages.
- Update your resume every six months, even if you aren't actively looking for a job.
- Show your work experience for the last 10-15 years.
- Use standard 8-1/2 x 11 inch paper.
- Soft colors such as white or beige are recommended, especially for scanning and copying purposes.
- Don't forget to include matching envelopes.
- Typeface should be easy-to-read (Courier, Times New Roman or Arial), so avoid the fancy script-like fonts. Stick to black ink.
- Font size should be between 10-12 pts.
- Highlight section headers with boldface type.
- Be consistent by single spacing for individual sentences and double spacing between sections and paragraphs.
- Make sure your margins have at least one inch of white space on the top and no less than one half-inch on the other three sides.
- When printing your resume, look for a watermark. Hold your paper up to the light and you'll typically see the brand of the paper. Make sure the mark is right side up when you print.
- Consider sending your resume in a 9x12 inch envelope so it doesn't have to be folded.
