Are the Section Headings Appropriate?

Just because someone else has used the heading title “Work History” on his or her resume doesn't mean that it is the best title for you to use. Perhaps “Professional Experience” or “Relevant Experience” is more descriptive of your experiences. Section headings do stand out in the reader's mind, so make them work for you.

References

The current trend in resumes is to leave off the phrase “References available upon request.” This is assumed to be true, so there is no need to include it. (For reference information, see our suggestions listed under References.)

Tips for Effective Resumes

Include your name on each page of your resume. That way, if it gets separated, the reader knows what belongs to you!

Whenever possible, locate the most important information on the left side of the page or near the top. For example, dates of employment are not as critical as where you worked or what you did. Draw the reader's attention to relevant information.

Use White Space

Resumes that appear too dense with copy may seem too difficult to read. By creating “white space” the reader is more comfortable and it conveys a sense of calm and organization. Look at your resume upside down and from a distance. See what your initial reaction is to the layout and revise it if necessary.

Pay Attention to Font

Typically resumes are written with 10-12pt font size. Section headers may be bold or the point size of the font may be increased. Select fonts that are easy to read and that are not too condensed. Try different fonts to see which ones are best for you. Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica, and Garamond are fonts used in many resumes.

Bold and italics can be used sparingly in resumes. Too much can be overkill. Emphasize words or section headings to help guide the reader's eye to notice your qualifications. Try reading it without any bold or italics and identify what needs to be emphasized.

Proofread!

Grammatical errors and spelling mistakes have no place in a resume. Do not rely on “Spell Check” to catch them. Proofread your resume several times and show it to others to check. Also, be sure to double-check your phone number(s) and e-mail address(es) for accuracy. If an employer tries to contact you and gets a wrong number, chances are he or she will move on to another candidate.

Graphics

Only include graphics if they enhance your resume. A simple line can separate sections without blocking the flow in a resume. Don't get too cute and discourage the employer from considering you.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-21