Basic Resume Tips

Think of resumes as a canvas where every bit of space is valuable.  Artists don't waste space on their canvas, every brush-stroke is intentional and has meaning.  Everything you put on your resume should matter, don’t include anything meaningless, irrelevant, or redundant.  

Advice on resume writing is so subjective, which is why recruiters are constantly contradicting each other.  There is no single format that all recruiters and hiring managers agree on, but if your content is there, small formatting issues can be over looked.  Big formatting issues won’t be overlooked so be sure you know them.

1. Your resume needs to be in Word or PDF format.  A resume on notepad is a red flag for most recruiters, and most companies don't have Word Perfect or Microsoft Works, so opening those files is difficult.
2. Use one font, and only your name and headings should be different sizes
3. For heaven’s sake, unless you’re in graphic design or animation, DO NOT USE PICTURES OR GRAPHICS!  They’re not cute, they're usually not relevant, and IF your resume makes it to a hiring manager, the picture is deleted first.  Now, if you’re in graphic design, acting, or an artist of some kind, and you include a design make sure it’s your own and represents you the way you want.
4. If you need to go over a page, it’s OK, just make sure the content is there and don’t make it into an essay.
5. “References available upon request” – DUH!  Of course you’re going to give references when asked, you don’t need to say it.  All this does is take up space on your resume and it’s a huge pet peeve of mine.