Simple guidelines to writing a stellar resume

Your resume should communicate vital information to a potential employer, but how do you know if yours is up to par and will compete with other resumes?

Authors Wendy S. Enelow and Louise M. Kursmark explain in their new book, Expert Resumes for Managers and Executives, that strict rules for writing resumes really don’t exist, but job seekers should consider some simple standards that most employers have come to expect. Here are some of Enelow and Kursmark’s tips:

Content standards

• Writing style: Always write in the active, not passive, voice.
• Phrases to avoid: Do not use “responsible for” or “duties included,” which are passive.
• Resume style: Organize your resume chronologically, functionally or both.
• Resume formats: Use paragraphs, bullets or both.
• Email address and URL: Include your email address and URL at the top of your resume.

Presentation standards

• Font: Use a “clean, conservative, easy-to-read” font. Some suggestions include Tahoma, Arial, Krone, Soutane, CG Omega, Century Gothic or Gill Sans.
• Type size: Ten- to 12-point fonts generally are easy to read.
• Page length: One to two pages usually is enough.
• Paper color: Use white, ivory or gray paper.
• Graphics: Entry-level or midlevel job seekers may use graphics to enhance their resumes; senior or executive job seekers should avoid them.
• White Space: Leave plenty of white space to ensure readability.

Accuracy and Perfection

• “Your resume must be well written, visually pleasing, and free of any errors, typographical mistakes, misspellings and the like. … Carefully proofread your resume a minimum of three times, and then have two or three other people also proofread it.”

“Consider your resume an example of the quality of work you will produce on a company’s behalf,” say Enelow and Kursmark. “Take the time to make sure that your resume is perfect in all the details that make a difference to those who read it.”

Expert Resumes for Managers and Executives, Third Edition, is available at majorbookstores, Amazon.com and jist.com.

Source: JIST Publishing