Your resume is how your potential employer first gets to know you. Chances are that you already know that the basic components of a resume include your contact information, work history, and relevant skills. But how do you actually lay that out on the page?
Sometimes, the process of actually getting all of the information on the page is so overwhelming that it can make you want to give up.
We can help! At Liberty Staffing Services, we help job seekers find great jobs in Ontario all the time. That means we look at a lot of resumes every day, and we know what works. We can provide you with some resume tips. Contact us today!
Below are some tips for the best layout and format for your resume.
1. Place Your Contact Information at the Top
The first thing your potential employer needs to know is who you are. What is your name, and how can they get in touch with you?
Your name and contact information should go at the very top of your resume. That includes your full name, phone number, email address, and city/province. Mailing addresses are no longer required on resumes, but you should at least tell the hiring manager where you are located.
We recommend that you put your name in a larger font and in bold text. A lot of people do a header with their name centered at the top of the page and their contact information centered below that.
2. Use Reverse Chronological Order
This resume layout tip is easy and straightforward.
All of the information that you list on your resume should be provided with the most recent job first. Then, work backwards from there.
This helps to keep your work history/information on your resume easy to understand and digest.
3. Use Bullet Points
Bullet point lists are an amazing tool for any resume. Avoid putting long sentences after bullet points though. Instead, use short phrases to move the reader quickly from one accomplishment to the next. Being concise provides your resume with two key advantages. First, it allows you to convey far more information in just a few words. Second, your resume is a lot easier to read because it has more white space on the page.
4. Align Your Columns and Rows
When inputting information like company names, job titles, locations, and dates, make sure your information is carefully aligned.
We recommend putting dates on the right hand side of the page, and company names and positions on the left.
But regardless of where you put the information, you want to make sure that everything is easily scannable and readable. Your resume layout should be easy to skim.
Ready for Your Next Job? Liberty Staffing Can Help!
Creating and formatting your resume is a big job, but investing the time in this part of the application process means you will have a polished, professional document that will help you stand out.
With these tips on resume layout, content order, and overall presentation, you will create an effective resume that catches the attention of the hiring managers you want to impress.
If you want more guidance tailoring your resume to a specific role or industry, our recruiters at Liberty Staffing Services can help. Our team has placed thousands of candidates with top employers across Southern Ontario, and we look forward to learning about your skills and career goals.
Contact our office today to take the next steps in your job search. Our recruiters will provide the coaching and connections you need to transition into a new, exciting role that matches your specific strengths.
