We all want to put our best face forward. That's why cosmetics is a billion dollar industry in America. But when it comes to your résumé, too many non-essential frills can distract a potential employer from grasping your main message: your qualifications. Appearance is important -- your résumé should be neat and professional -- but remember the content is the real star. If it does not tell the interviewer what he or she needs to know, it's worthless.
Let your experience shine through. Make sure the emphasis of your résumé is on content, not packaging. Although presenting a smart, professional look is crucial, too much pizzazz can detract from the whole reason you have a résumé -- to showcase your experience. If the reader must wade through too many colors, eye-catching graphics or text treatments, your message could easily get lost.
Start with a clean canvas. You need a nondescript backdrop so your words leap off the page and stick in the interviewer's mind. Think contrast. White or cream papers provide the most contrast when used with black type. If you must choose a color, make it a very light gray that won't compete with your text. Avoid colors, backgrounds and shading for electronic résumé formats.
Smooth over the bumps. For printed résumés, generally, plain-wovepaper is best. Lightly textured paper is OK, but be careful. As with paper colors, textures can vie with your text for your reader's attention. If the texture's grain is too pronounced, your type will not appear clear or sharp. It may make reading difficult, especially if you are printing your résumé out at home and not at a professional copy center. Save the fancy linen papers and translucent vellum sheets for invitations and holiday cards.
Stick to the basics. Simple type faces work best. Don't make your interviewer fight through a sea of swirls, colors and text treatments. Basic sans serif typefaces such as Arial or Verdana work best. Or, you can always rely on the old standby, Times New Roman. Pick one or two fonts and stick with them. Using too many typefaces on one page can look cluttered and confusing and will detract from your message.
Color your world -- but not your résumé. Standard black type is best. It provides the best contrast, making it easy to read. You may bring in a color as an accent in headlines or bullets, but keep it simple. Blue hues usually work well. And again, if you are unsure about choosing a color, don't. This will not be the deciding factor on whether or not you are called in for an interview. It's your experience that counts.
Size does matter. Generally, headings should be no larger than 12 or 14 points and bolded. Body copy can range from nine to 12 points, depending on how much room you have on a page to fit your information. Be mindful, however, that the smaller the typeface, the more difficult to read.
Be concise. Don't be long-winded on your résumé. Interviewers often have hundreds of resumes to weed through. Save extensive explanations of your experience for the interview and keep your résumé to one or two pages.
Think electronic. Your résumé will often be viewed electronically. Keep it in a format that is compatible with most word-processing and e-mail systems. Even consider plain text. You may be required to paste in your résumé into an electronic form or e-mail. Complicated formatting or unusual fonts can create electronic gobbledygook.
Remember the goal of your résumé is readability. When deciding what features to use, ask yourself: "Will this make my résumé easier to read?" If not, don't use it. If it can't be read easily, it won't be read at all.
Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Copyright 2005 CareerBuilder.com
