Resume Layouts ­ The Hidden Pitfalls

By Roger Clark

Options for Resume Layouts

There are many options of available to today's job seeker. With

a quick change of graphical elements such as fonts and style,

the feel of a resume can change from traditional and

conservative to creative and modern.

Printed Resumes

A print version of your resume refers to the version of your

resume that is ready to print; either for mailing for job leads

or for hand delivering to potential contacts.

This version may contain bold print, italicized text, bulleted

lists and less well known fonts, however these should be used

sparingly.

Whitespace

The amount of whitespace should also remain consistent

throughout the resume. The use of whitespace in a resume can be

critical. Too much whitespace will draw attention to a resume

that may be lacking in skills and experience.

Scannable Resumes

A scannable resume contains the exact same information as print

version resume layouts but is presented in a less 'fancy' manner.

A scannable resume is to be used for those situations when you

wish to cut and paste your resume into online databases. There

are a few guidelines that should be adhered to when creating a

scannable resume, however to avoid disaster.

Fonts

Stick to safe fonts such as Ariel, Helvetica or Courier. Use a

font size anywhere between 10 to 14 points and refrain from

bolding, underlining or italicizing any text. Also do not use

any symbols such as parenthesis, asterisks or bullets.

One Column Resume Layouts

A one column resume layout is much more traditional. This type

of format would be more appropriate for use when applying for a

position in a conservative job market.

Two Column Resume Layouts

A two column resume layout is more creative. This type of format

would be better suited when applying for a position in an

industry that is known for its creativity. It would not be

appropriate for more traditional type jobs. Headings are left

justified while the corresponding information is placed in the

right column.

Left Aligned Resume Layouts

Left aligned resume layouts are particularly good for resumes

that are short in nature. All headings and corresponding

information are aligned to the left.

Centered Resume Layouts

A centered resume layout can be hard on the eye and difficult to

read, however this can be minimized with skillful use of

formatting and style features to clearly delineate information.

Indented Layouts

This type of resume can feel traditional, but the paragraphs can

be hard on the eye; particularly for employers who simply want

to 'scan' a resume. An indented resume features left-aligned

text, but the paragraphs are indented.

About the author:

Article courtesy of Top Career Resumes, where you can get the

answers you need about writing winning resumes, cover letters

and more. The author, Roger Clark (BSc) has over 25 years

experience in career development & recruitment at a senior level

through top management positions he has held with major

international companies.

http://www.top-career-resumes.com/index.html