First impressions are important in all aspects of life, so don’t let your resume give potential employers a bad first impression. Keep reading for some do’s and don’ts, examples and tips from a graphic designer for designing a resume that screams, “Hire me!”
Font size
For a nice, clean look, aim to fit all of the content on one page using fonts no smaller than 10 points and no larger than 14 points. When using all capital letters as a heading, adjust the space between the letters, otherwise known as the tracking.
Margins and columns
The most common margin size is one inch on each side. It is important to use grids when making your resume to help the reader move through the page. A good tip is to create guides of three to five columns and rows and aim to fit your text accordingly into the boxes, columns and rows.
Photos
Because a resume should represent experience and expertise alone, save the visuals for LinkedIn.
Stylize
To make your resume stand out, find a personal, simplistic style that works for you. Feel free to create a simple logo using your initials. All fonts in the resume should be clean and professional–including those in your name and headings.
Word spacing
Every graphic designer agrees that proper spacing is crucial. For example, there should always be a significant amount of space between each line. This is called the leading. When words are too pressed together, it makes it hard for the eyes to focus. Also, use bullet points when describing your job duties to avoid huge chunks of text. Be sure to start each bullet point with a strong action verb.
Branding
Having a cohesive brand is key to a successful business. The same rule applies to your personal brand: resume, cover letter, social media channels and portfolio. Use the same color scheme and font to bring together all of these aspects.
Take a look at these examples to get started ona new and improved resume. When lacking inspiration, check out Pinterest to get the creative juices flowing. Have some fun with it, within reason! And remember, employers want to hire a person so don’t forget your personality.
Written by Sydney Gehlen, Art Director