Regardless of which resume style you choose to use, it should always be formatted in a specific way. Proper formatting ensures that your accomplishment will be noticed instead of the font. By following the guidelines below, you’ll be helping yourself polish your resume so that it makes a strong first impression.
1. Format your resume. Some guidelines to follow when formatting your resume:
Set your margins to 1” all the way around.
Use a standard font such as Arial or Times New Roman.
Use font size 16 for your name, 14 for section headings, and 12 for all other text.
Use bold font for your name and section headings.
Use plenty of white space (blank lines). The proper use of white space will make your resume easy to scan quickly and much easier to read.
Always use white paper and black font.
2. Create your heading. The heading of your resume should include your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address. Your name should be in 16-point bold type, and the rest of the heading in regular 12-point font. You may either center the information, or justify it to the left or right of the page.
3. Spell check and proofread your resume. This step cannot be overemphasized. Proofread your resume several times. Have someone else proofread it. Then, have another person further removed from you read it. Spelling and grammar errors in a resume will get it discarded regardless of your skills and experience. Some things to look for when proofreading are:
Spelling mistakes
Grammatical errors
Incorrect contact information
Typos
Misuse of the apostrophe, plurals, and possessives
Sample Resumes
Here are some well formatted sample resumes you can copy and use, with information below on how to write your own resume.
Sample chronological resume
Sample functional resume
Sample combination resume
EXAMPLE
Jay Price 438, Grant W. ST, Alabama, AL, 453678 (216) 546-1233 jay.price@email.com
Objective To better facilitate student learning in the area of politics and history
Experience Dec 2001 to present [Saint John’s Junior College, Belize, Teacher] Department of General Studies
Facilitate student learning and conduct research in the area of politics and western civilization
Assist in the coordination and implementation of community service and student affairs activities
Aug 2000 to Dec 2001 [Saint Louis University,Saint Louis, USA] Graduate Researcher, Dept of Public Policy and Urban Research
Conducted research in community, neighborhood development and economic policy
Coordinated special outreach projects to promote the department’s research interest
Jan 1999 to May 2000 [Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, USA Resident Advisor, Department of Residence Life
Developed and implemented programs to encourage student participation
Supervised others in the maintenance and enforcement of university policies
Participated in leadership training and community building workshops
May 1999 to Aug 1999 [Ministry of Human Development ,Belmopan, Belize] Intern, United Nations Development Programme
Worked with the Project for Sustainable Human Development, a community development plan aimed at empowering rural villagers in Belize
Collected field data, drafted reports, and provided feedback to supervisors
Education Aug 2000 to Dec 2001 [Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, USA]
Master of Arts in Public Administration (specialty – economic development, organizational learning)
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (completed seminars on teaching and technology strategies)
Aug 2000 to Dec 2001 [Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, USA]
Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and International Relations (graduated summa cum laude)
Leadership
2002 to present - Director of Youth and Member of the Central Executive, UDP 2001 to 2001 - President, International Students, Saint Louis University 2000 to 2001 - Student Representative, VP for Student Development’s Board 1998 to 2000 - Senator, Saint Louis University Student Government 1997 to 1998 - President, Saint John’s College Student Government
Awards
Aug 2002 - Commencement Speaker, Saint John’s College Graduation Nov 2001 - Recipient, Kathy W. Humphrey Award for Diversity Nov 2001 - Member, Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor and Service Society May 2001 - Recipient, Saint Louis University Student Leadership Award May 1998 - Recipient, The Katharine Walsh Scholarship May 1998 - Speaker, The Belize National Teacher's Day Ceremony April 1998 - Recipient, The Saint John Berchman Award for Leadership
