Writing a Resume: Formatting Your Resume
There is no set formula for résumé, unfortunately. You can use a "chronological" format that organizes your background information in reverse chronological order. However for most college graduates and job changers, a "functional" or "combination" format is best. This résumé format emphasizes your skills and the functions that you can perform. This type lists your experience in reverse chronological order and then enumerates the functions that you performed and the skills they required. No matter which format you choose, keep in mind that it is the skills that you have and the functions that you can perform that matter most to employers. Choose the format based on your knowledge of what is the best way to sell yourself to potential employers.
Use the following tips to make that crucial positive first impression:
- Your resume should be attractive, easy to read quickly and businesslike.
- Avoid fancy fonts and graphics.
- Try to place key words and phrases on the left margin and avoid long blocks of text.
- Print it on a laser printer on 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper.
- Reproduce it on bond paper using white or another non-color (light beige, tan, or gray).
- If possible, have your copies made at a copy center. Consider buying a supply of good paper to take to the copy center for them to use to ensure that you are not restricted to their paper selections and also to ensure that you will have matching paper for your cover letters.
