2torial #0768:
Learn2 Write a Resume (continued)

Format and finalize the resume

There are two good reasons to make your resume perfectly neat and error-free: Visual clutter annoys the reader (very bad), and mistakes make you look careless (even worse).

Keep it simple. A clean, well-organized page helps the reader absorb what's on it; subconsciously, he or she will think you are likewise clean and well organized. Flashy, chaotic formatting can lead your reader to think of you as loud, disorganized, and self-centered. So unless you're a graphic designer, try to follow these guidelines:

• Choose one or two readable fonts, like Times or Arial.

• Make the type big enough to read (10 to 12 points in running text is a good range).

• Center your name and address, but make other lines flush left, and don't justify them (meaning the right side stays "ragged" and not flush to the margin). Keep the margins at least 3/4 inch (2 centimeters) on all sides, and keep some line space between sections on the page. White space is restful to the eye.

• Use effects like bold, italic, and all caps sparingly, and only to highlight what's really important: your name, section headers, and so forth.

• Don't insert unnecessary graphics.

• Print or copy the resume onto heavy white or cream-colored bond paper (20- to 60-pound), and mail it in a matching envelope.

Be consistent. Make sure your choices for indents, spacing, font size, special characters (like bullets), and bold/italic are consistent. You can vary the look for different levels of text (headings, running text, bullet points), but pieces of the same kind should look the same and have the same punctuation.

Proofread. Now's the time to be a perfectionist. An error in your phone number means you won't get the call. One typo can land your resume in Dream Company's recycling bin. After using your computer's spelling and grammar checkers, print out the finished document. Let it sit overnight, then read it carefully for errors in words, numbers, spacing, and formatting. Fix them, then give it to at least two friends who are good spellers. Spell checking is not enough!

When you're done, your resume should look substantive, interesting, discerning, smart, and direct. Kind of like you.