Previously, we’ve looked at what a well-written resume should include. Today, we’re focusing on how to format a resume or CV. After all, a resume needs to look professional, so its formatting is almost as important as its content. And with that in mind, our top tips for formatting a resume include:
For more on how to format your resume or CV, check out our tips below.
The type of resume or CV you pick will affect its presentation. As such, it’s important to know the differences between the main types of resume:
In addition, some people distinguish between a CV (i.e. a full account of your professional history) and a resume (i.e. a one- or two-page summary of your career and skills). This is more common in the USA than in Australia, but it’s worth checking so you know how much information to provide.
Now, though, let’s move on to the nitty-gritty of how to format a resume.
You may not usually give much thought to the margins in a document. But when you need to fit a lot of information into a limited space, without sacrificing clarity, they can make a difference.
Ideally, the margins of your resume or CV should be around 2.54cm (one inch) on all sides. If you need to save space, you can reduce this to as little as 1.25cm (half an inch) on all sides. Make sure to leave some space in the margin, though, as otherwise your resume will look cramped.
There are several fonts you could use in a resume or CV. Any font you use, though, should meet two requirements:
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Typically, the best fonts are the ‘boring’ ones everyone uses (e.g. Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman). But whatever you do, don’t write a resume using Comic Sans if you want it to look professional. The best font size, meanwhile, may depend on the font you’ve chosen. But 10-12pt is a good guideline.
A good resume or CV will be divided into several sections (e.g. Contact Information, Skills, Work Experience). And to make the structure clear, each section should begin with its own heading.
To ensure these headings stand out, you may want to use a slightly larger font and/or bold formatting. But however you format the headings in your resume, make sure to apply one style consistently for each heading type.
As well as adding headings, there are a few things you can do to make your resume easier to skim read. These include the following:
This can make a big difference to readability. And as recruiters may have to read hundreds of resumes every day, this can be important.
Finally, once you’ve formatted your resume or CV, don’t forget to have it proofread. Any errors could cost you your dream job, as typos may suggest a lack of attention to detail, so a little proofreading can go a long way.
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