What does your resume really say about you? Does it represent not just your skills and experience, but your heart and your spirit? Is the reader seriously compelled to interview you after reading it? When you put yourself out there to prospective employees, don’t short change yourself or give them a reason to rule you out before they’re finished reading your phone number!
1. Stick to one clean, standard font. Whether you chose Times New Roman or a sans serif font like Arial doesn’t matter, just make sure to pick one and stick with it. This makes your resume look clean and easy to read. Using multiple fonts makes your resume look crowded and disorganized.
2. Keep the important points at the top of the page. Most employers take about 15 to 20 seconds to skim over a resume, so make sure to keep the key points of your experience and skills towards the top half of the page. Imagine that employers are going to skim your resume just like you would skim the headlines of today’s newspaper; highlight your most impressive and relevant information by giving it top billing.
3. Don’t be a Stiff. This is the first impression employers get of your skills AND more importantly in many cases, your personality. Let your light shine! It’s ok for your personality to show through! The key words and phrases you choose should show prospective employers that you are a confident, friendly and personable – while still professional – individual.
4. Update your resume regularly. This is may be the most important tip for a great resume. Proof read (or have a friend or family member proof read) your resume before EVER sending it out. Typos and spelling errors are the fastest way to ensure your resume lands in the trash! Even more importantly, update your skills, information, and accomplishments regularly so that when you find that dream job posting you go after at the last minute, you can send your best ever resume with confidence!
*Tips adapted from Chelsea Gladden at Mashable.com – published Jan. 13, 2013.
