Resume Guide
Your resume sets you apart in the eyes of employers by concisely showcasing your education, experience, and skills. It’s more than just a list of past jobs; it’s a promotional tool that positions you as the ideal match for their job requirements. While there’s no single formula for creating a resume, there are established guidelines and fundamental principles to consider. Stand out by crafting tailored content presented clearly—void of any spelling, grammar, or formatting mistakes. As the initial point of contact, make sure your achievements captivate busy employers’ attention. The goal? Secure that interview!
A resume guide is a resource that provides comprehensive information and advice on creating an effective resume. It offers guidance, tips, and best practices to help individuals build a strong and impactful resume that highlights their qualifications, skills, and experiences.
The Illinois Tech Career Services Resume guide covers various aspects of drafting a resume, including:
1. Content: Common segments should encompass (though aren’t confined to): summary, educational background, skills, work history, and accomplishments, accolades, volunteer work, or engagement.
2. Length: If feasible, aim for a single-page resume. Usually, a two-page resume becomes essential only when someone holds over five years of pertinent, full-time work experience.
3. Margins: Enhance the visual appeal of your resume. Incorporate white space strategically to give the reader’s eyes a break. It’s advisable to use margins ranging from half an inch to one inch.
4. Font: Select a professional and easily readable font (such as Garamond, Cambria, Arial). Maintain a font size within the range of 10 to 12 points.
5. Consistency: Maintain uniform formatting across your resume. For instance, if you opt to bold a job title, ensure consistency by bolding all job titles. Additionally, ensure that bullet points, section headers, dates, and other elements align neatly on the page.
6. Accuracy: Ensure absolute accuracy in your resume and all career-related documents. Thoroughly proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. It’s advisable to have two to three individuals review it as well. Keep in mind that some employers might dismiss a job candidate solely based on spotting even a single typo in the resume.
7. Overall Appearance: Ask yourself and others if your document is easy to read and professional looking. Also, consider that the average recruiter may scan your résumé for 10–20 seconds. Make sure that your most important information stands out. If a hard copy is required, use white bond paper.
