How to make your resume stand out

Click on the following headings to find out how to use these elements effectively in your resume:

• Font style

  Serif fonts weren’t created with screen reading in mind. Fonts such as Times New Roman, Adobe Song Std and other fonts, which have the ‘curly bits’ (serifs), are more difficult to read on a screen.

  On the other hand, sans serif fonts were created specifically for the screen. These include fonts such as Arial, Calibri and Tahoma. All of which are great options for writing an easy to read resume.

  Want to know more? Check out this short clip on how typography began:

• Font size

  The most appropriate text font size is between 10 and 11 points (depending on the font you are using). Section headings should be 12 - 14 point to stand out. 8 or 9 points are too small to be easily read by everyone, especially in Times New Roman which should not be used in sizes less than 11 points.

  TOP TIP: Do a test print to make sure you’ve got the right size. If your text is too small it will be difficult to read. If it’s too big, it may look unprofessional.

• Headings

  A great way to highlight key sections of your resume is to create a visual break between each section with a heading. Some examples are using a line across the page, or a shaded area, like the following:

  Heading

  Heading

  Heading

  You can create these headings easily in Microsoft Word, just explore your tool bar.

  

• Colour

  When using colour on your resume, think about how easy it will be to read if the document is printed in black and white. Consider a colour that reflects your professional identity and the type of occupation, organisation or role that the resume is intended for. This blog guides you through things you should consider when picking a colour palette and provides examples for a variety of industries.

• Content formatting

  Bullet points

  • Bullet points are a great way to format content in sections such as Employment History, Work Experience, Volunteering and Skills.
  • They tend to have more impact if the information following the bullet point is kept short (one to two lines in length).
  • Use them sparingly - if there are too many bullet points in one document their impact will be lost.

  Paragraphs

  Long paragraphs can reduce readability and make it difficult to find key information. If you are going to include paragraphs on your resume, keep them concise (3-4 lines maximum) and avoid commencing sentences with the word ‘I’.

  Hidden tables

  Hidden tables are an excellent way to display information. They give your resume a professional finish and ensure consistency of formatting. You can use them for your personal details, as well as displaying your education and work experience.

  Address line 1	Email
  Address line 2	Telephone
  Address line 3	LinkedIn profile

  When you have your content ready like shown above, you need to hide the borders. In Microsoft Word, you can do this by highlighting the table, then go to the top tool bar, click on the border icon and select ‘no border.’

  

Sending your resume

Via email

Always follow the application instructions carefully. They are sometimes used as a screening tool. If there are no specific guidelines then:

• Save your resume with your name i.e. John_Doe_Resume so employers can locate it quickly and easily.
• Send your resume as a PDF as employers may have different programs installed on their computers, which can affect the formatting of your document when opened. However, if advertisement requires a Word document to be sent, then you must follow this instruction.
• Send all documents as attachments to the email and write a short, professional introduction for your application in the email body.

Paper copy

• Make sure you use good quality paper and ink.
• Place the documents in a large envelope to avoid creasing or folding.
• Don’t use coloured, patterned or scented paper - keep it professional.