This section comes last on purpose. Many clients approach career counselors with one of several burning questions: What color paper should I use on my resume? Should my resume be one page or two? What font should I use?
While there is value in how you answer these questions, they are less vital to your success than what your resume says. So here is my response to those questions.
What Color Paper Should I Use?
This question cannot be answered easily without first asking “For whom is the
resume written?” If you are submitting a resume for 95 percent of the jobs out
there, the answer is that white, cream, ivory, and gray are all acceptable. Whichever
color you choose, buy enough of it to print both your resume and your cover
letter. You may want to purchase matching envelopes as well.
If you are applying for jobs in the more creative fields—advertising, the arts, etc.— people are more likely to be receptive to resumes that are more out of the ordinary. One client decided on a resume that was printed on manila file folders with the candidate’s name on the tab. The idea was that the collateral materials that the candidate sent (such as samples of other creative work) could be stored in the folder. Another client pursuing a career in the music industry decided to print a resume that looked like an album’s liner notes (if you don’t remember what an album is, ask your grandparents!). In each case the candidate was successful in finding a job. I highly doubt that the resume got them the job; however, the resume obviously did not rule them out of the job, either.
How Many Pages Should My Resume Be?
Again, the answer here depends on a combination of the job for which you are
applying and your own background. Only the most extraordinary recent high
school or college graduate will need more than one page to convey a good summary
of their background. The best way to prepare your resume is to start with the
career autobiography that you wrote, and translate it into resume style. Then go
through the resume and delete all the information that would be irrelevant to the
employer to whom you are submitting this resume. Then go back through and
delete all those things that are probably not going to be too valuable to that
employer. As you go through this process over and over, you will likely come to a
point where you will need to decide to either a) cut out one of two valuable pieces
of information so that you can reduce the resume to one page, or b) include one
of several marginally important pieces of information so that you can make the
resume an even two pages. That is a judgement call that you can make with input
from a career counselor, friends, and family.
What Font Should I Use?
Another decision that you make can affect the length of the resume too. The
question of what font to use can be answered by the eye. Try printing your resume
using different fonts, and ask the people you trust which one they prefer. I would
suggest that you use a 12-point font or, at the smallest, a 10-point font. A smaller
font enables you to put more text on the page; however, it makes it more difficult
for the employer to read. You may also want to experiment with the margins that
you use. Reducing the margins from the default of 1.25" to 1" all around can increase
the amount of text you can include on the resume. But you’ll need to check how
your margins look by viewing a draft printout. You might not like the result.
What Text Formatting Should I Use?
Formatting is also a personal style choice. Scannable resume guidelines notwithstanding,
some people choose to underline all their past job titles while boldfacing
all the employer names. Others may choose to italicize their e-mail address. These
choices are really a matter of personal preference; however, I would strongly urge
you to not overdo the formatting, and to be consistent throughout. Do not italicize
one employer and then boldface the next. Although some formatting can make the
resume more eye-appealing and can help the reader subconsciously organize and
process the information, too many styles can muddle the information and confuse
the reader. By the way, even if you do prepare a scannable resume without any
formatting, that does not preclude you from using those styles in the version of your
resume that you send to companies that do not scan resumes.
Should I Post My Resume on My Web Site?
Millions of Americans have their own Web spaces and URLs. Posting a resume on
your Web site seems like a logical choice. I would caution you, however, to consider
the information listed in your resume and ask yourself whether you want to make
it available to the world. I am surprised by the number of people who have
unpublished telephone numbers but who have their resumes on the Web for the
world to see. You will want to also ask yourself who it is that you expect to see your
resume on your Web site. Companies spend millions of dollars in advertising and
marketing efforts to drive the right people to the companies’ Web sites. What is
your strategy going to be?
Finally, consider what other information you have on your Web site. When potential employers look at your resume on your Web site, they may be tempted to learn more about you. Do you want them reading your blog where you complain about your current job and salary? Do you really want them to see your shrine to your favorite reality show contestant?
If your site is fairly professional, a different option would be to include a brief synopsis of your accomplishments and skill sets. Also include a contact form so that they can reach you for a more complete resume.