Design a Killer Resume: 5 Fail-Proof Formatting Tips

Photo credit: stephenliveshere / CC BY-SA 2.0

Whether we like it or not, a resume isn’t all about the content. In fact, the design of the document is sometimes just as important. A resume that looks messy, or cluttered, or disorganized will be pushed aside regardless of the qualifications it outlines. You may be the ideal candidate but a poorly formatted resume could kill your chances.

Most formatting problems happen because job seekers are trying too hard. They want their resume to be “eye-catching.” They try to squeeze too much information on to one page or “jazz” it up way too much. As a result, they create resumes that are hard to read and easy to set aside.

Use the following guidelines to ensure your resume doesn’t get tossed because of some silly formatting snafu.

1. Font Type

There are a lot of great fonts out there. Believe me, plenty of designers are obsessed with identifying and selecting the perfect fonts for posters, signage, web pages, you name it. And while you might want your resume to look like a piece of art, using elaborate fonts does not add anything for the reader. In fact, it can be very distracting and can appear unprofessional. When selecting fonts, keep these rules in mind:

• Use only one type of font.
• Use style tools strategically. Bold, italicize, and underline to help direct attention and organize content.
• Use fonts that are easy to read and professional looking. Great choices are Times New Roman, Georgia, Arial, Verdana, and Tahoma.
• Avoid fonts that are too dramatic or cutesy like Comic Sans, Lucinda Handwriting, or Papyrus

2. Font Size

Even though most resumes are viewed on computer screens and users have the ability to expand the view if needed, it’s still a good idea to select an average size font. Generally speaking, that would be 10, 11 or 12 points. If you have to go smaller than that to fit all of your information in the given space, it’s time to focus on editing. If you’re tempted to go bigger to grab attention, focus instead on using your style tools (i.e., bold, underline or italics).

3. White Space

Because most resumes are viewed on computer screens, it’s helpful to utilize one of the basic rules of web page design: white space is a good thing. White space simply refers to blank space. It gives the appearance of a clean, well organized page and helps you direct the attention of the reader. Additionally, it provides an aesthetically pleasing page that allows readers to “digest” information without feeling overwhelmed.

4. Length

Old fashioned resume rules dictate that one page is the absolute maximum. However, most modern resources suggest that two pages are just fine, especially for the more experienced individual. Just remember to keep the information relevant and concise. If you find yourself “stretching” to fill two pages, cut back and re-evaluate the purpose of each piece. It’s better to have one solid well-written page than two pages of fluff that the recruiter needs to sift through to find the real significant material.

If sending a physical copy of a two-page resume, do not print on both sides of one sheet of paper. Instead, print on one side of two sheets and staple together at the top right-hand corner. Be sure to include your name and contact information on both pages and note “page 1 of 2” and “page 2 of 2”.

5. Simplicity

There are tons of great resume templates out there. While some are better than others, the number one thing to keep in mind is that simple is always better than complicated. That doesn’t mean your design can’t stand out. In fact, all of the templates available on Resify are very impressive, creative and eye-catching. But they’re also simple. They aren’t littered with pictures, elaborate decorations, overly styled headers or page borders. They have straight-forward layouts and clean structures. The goal is to create a document that is pleasing to the eye while making it easy for the reader to process the information being given.

1. 

   TERRY BEAS says:

   January 21, 2010 at 9:25 pm

   In item 4 of 5 you state “and staple together at the top right-hand corner” I have always read, and been told by HR professionals NEVER, NEVER staple two pages of a resume together. Paper clip them. If a copy has to be made staple leave holes and there are times staff rip the pages apart and this can and does tear the resume. Very unprofessional.
   2nd comment…most will also to only tell you to place your name and page 2 or page 2 of 2 on the second page. The first page has your contact info on it, and by placing it on the 2nd page again you have just used valuable space that can be used for good information. By placing page 1 of 2 on the first page, you have just told the reader they do not know one page from another.
2. 

   Casey says:

   January 22, 2010 at 1:43 am

   Hi Terry, thanks so much for your comment! You bring up some good points here but I’d like to respectfully disagree with them and here’s why:

   Regarding the staples — I hear what you’re saying. And maybe this is a matter of preference on the part of the recruiter. But, for those professionals sorting through stacks of physical resumes, many of which are two pages these days, paper clips are a serious nuisance. They cling to one another and can collect pages above and below them which can mix stuff up. Staples prevent that. But whatever; if you’ve been told that’s a serious no-no, don’t do it. But to say that pulling a staple out is too difficult to do without damage isn’t, in my opinion, really a valid reason to avoid staples altogether. Others may disagree with me so I’d say that a staple or paperclip, whichever you choose, will likely not get your resume thrown out or in.

   Regarding the contact info and page numbers – look, whenever you send a document that has multiple pages to any business you MUST assume the pages will get separated. It happens all the time. If your resume gets pulled apart, how is anyone to know which pages go together unless they see your matching contact info? If you just want to put your name, that’s fine. But if the page that has your phone number gets lost and they want to reach you, you’ve just lost the interview. I say, better safe than sorry. Stick it in the header or footer if you’re concerned about space. Page numbers – again, if the pages get separated (which they will 90% of the time—yes, that’s a wild guess) how is anyone to know that you sent over a two page document? If they’re looking at 1 page, with no indication that there is a second, that’s all they’re looking at. We all do this with faxes for the same reason. It’s another “better safe than sorry” thing. But again, it probably won’t get you tossed in or out of the game.