When writing a resume there are a few formats you can choose, including chronological, functional, and targeted resumes. but, regardless what format of resume you select, there are certain guidelines that most resumes should follow. Here’s what to include in your resume, as well as what shouldn’t be listed on your resume. There are guidelines for resume length, font and page margins. Resume Guidelines: Resume Length: Your resume should be as concise as possible; two pages is the maximum length, but one page is preferable. Here’s more about resume length and how long your resume should be. Font and Size: Do not use ornate fonts that are difficult to read; Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, or a similar font is best. Your font size should be between 10 and 12 points, although your name and the section headings can be a little larger and/or bolder. Here’s how to select a font for your resume. Page Margins: The standard page margins in word processing programs (1″ margins on the top, bottom and left and right sides of the page) work for most resumes. However, if you need to tighten the margins to reduce the length of your resume, it’s fine to reduce the margins to a 1/2″ on the sides and top and bottom.
Layout: Keep each section in a uniform fashion. For example, if you put the name of one company in italics, every company name must be in italics. Information to Avoid: Do not include personal information unless the position requires it.
