A resume should always be either one page full or 2 pages full (if you have very extensive experience). If it is 1.5 page, there will be too much white space which might show lack of professionalism, as if you've got nothing more to say about yourself.
Resume fonts & sizes:
The most common font to use is Times New Roman, in black and size 12 points. Other serif fonts (with tails) to consider that are easy to read include: Georgie, Bell MT, Goudy Old Style, Garamond. Any of the above fonts would be reasonable for a resume as long as you consistently use one font only.The good news: The one-page-resume rule is dead. Two-page resumes are common now, so if you've been agonizing over how to stick to one page, agonize no longer. However, there's one big exception to this, and that's if you have only a few years of experience. If that's you, you should stick to one page.
How Far back should you go? Generally, it is reasonable to go back 10 – 15 years in your work history. If you have a longer work history than that, you can divide your work history into two sections, "recent" and "relevant", or include a separate paragraph that summarizes all relevant prior experience.
If you have a two-page resume, don't print it double-sided. It may be the most earth-friendly approach, but printing a two-page resume double-sided on a single sheet of paper is a bad job search strategy. In this case, how your resume gets printed will not be your issue. Don't worry about it.
In general, yes. Most professionally-designed resumes use color. Using color on your resume can help to make your resume look attractive and easy-on-the-eye. Getting the colors on a resume right is important but don't spend too much time on it.
Do not staple the resume, even if 2 (or more) pages. Without a staple, the two pages can be placed side-by-side to view the whole resume at once. That said, if you have a 2nd page, put your name on top of page 2 (header). By doing this, if the 2 pages are separated they can be easily put back together.
How to Fit a Resume on One Page
- Use Smaller Margins.
- Try Creative Resume Formats.
- Use Smaller Fonts.
- Use Bullet Points.
- Consolidate Contact Information.
- Create Quadrants to Divide Your Resume into Sections.
- Reduce the Size of Your Contact Information and Address.
- Use Multi-Purpose Lines.
Here are the three most common resume formats that recruiters expect to see.
- Reverse chronological resume format. This is the bread and butter choice for most job seekers.
- Functional Resume Format. This resume format has also been called a skills-based resume format.
- Combination Resume Format.
Here are six easy ways to shorten your resume and make it stand out:
- List contact information that is useful, not just for formality sake.
- Keep your objective statement objective and short.
- Focus on accomplishments, not job descriptions.
- Use bullet points.
- Show me the numbers.
- Don't mention Microsoft Office.
Wilson: No employer wants to see a four-page resume. Your resume should be at least one or two pages. I don't know what type of work you're looking for, but I would tailor it to the type of job that you're looking for. You can even do several versions of your resume; depending on the type of job you're looking for.
- Tailor your resume to the job description.
- Add achievements to your experience section.
- Add numbers and details where possible.
- Make good use of the top third of your resume.
- Include a resume summary or objective.
- Use a proofreading tool like Grammarly.
- Have a human proofread your resume.
- Write a thank-you email.
It's almost never okay to have a resume longer than 2 pages. A 3-page resume will likely annoy a hiring manager and have your resume sent to the rejection pile. The only time it's acceptable to have a resume longer than 3 pages is if you're field requires you to list publications, research and other projects.
The good news: The one-page-resume rule is dead. Two-page resumes are common now, so if you've been agonizing over how to stick to one page, agonize no longer. However, there's one big exception to this, and that's if you have only a few years of experience. If that's you, you should stick to one page.
It's almost never okay to have a resume longer than 2 pages. A 3-page resume will likely annoy a hiring manager and have your resume sent to the rejection pile. The only time it's acceptable to have a resume longer than 3 pages is if you're field requires you to list publications, research and other projects.
These are the key pieces you should put on your resume:
- Name and Contact Info.
- Summary Paragraph.
- Employment History.
- Skills.
- Education.
- Community Involvement (Optional)
- Awards/Achievements You've Received (Optional – Can be combined with other sections)
If you have a two-page resume, don't print it double-sided. When you do need to present your resume in a hard-copy format, choose a good quality stationary paper (20 lb stock at least), make sure the watermark is right side up and forward facing, and print each page of your resume on its own sheet of paper.
Avoid graphics, the use of colors other than black and shading. Avoid folding your resume - creases in the paper may cause scanning problems. Do not staple the resume; if the resume is two pages be sure to put your name and page 2 at the top of the second page.
What to bring to a job interview
- Copies of your resume. Bring at least five resume copies.
- Pen and paper.
- Pre-written questions for your interviewers.
- A list of references.
- Breath mints or floss.
- A bag, briefcase or portfolio that neatly contains all your items.
- Directions on how to get to the interview.
The Best Resume Paper Color—Conclusion
- If your resume consists of dark, uniform colors and white space only, it will look elegant and classy when printed out on ivory paper.
- For resumes that use light shades, white paper is the best option.
Use a bulleted list and keep your job descriptions concise. Focus on your accomplishments, not your daily responsibilities. Cut out any extra years. Even if you are an experienced candidate, you should include no more than 10 or 15 years of experience on your resume.
Resume fonts & sizes:
The most common font to use is Times New Roman, in black and size 12 points. Other serif fonts (with tails) to consider that are easy to read include: Georgie, Bell MT, Goudy Old Style, Garamond. Popular sans serif (no tails) fonts include: Arial, Tahoma, Century Gothic and Lucida Sans.
