Resume Writing Part 2: Aesthetics Matter

Last week’s post highlighted the importance of focusing on the content of your resume to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward when applying to job openings. Today, we turn our attention to another aspect of your resume that could have a major impact on your impression as a candidate: how it looks. Remember, your resume is your first impression on employers and hiring managers, so you want to make sure that it is polished, professional, and aesthetically pleasing. Here are a few tips for assuring yours wows.

First, start with a basic template. It is a misconception that an intricate resume design is best. Sure, design is important, but a CV that is organized and reader-friendly is paramount to a complicated layout. Don’t make the mistake of hyper-focusing in the design element; direct your efforts instead to creating a clean-looking template that keeps things professional. Aesthetically pleasing doesn’t always equal complexity.

Next, keep it succinct. Bear in mind that hiring managers and recruiters read hundreds of resumes weekly. Submitting one that extends beyond one to two pages (maximum) could hurt your chances simply because it will take too long to read. Focus on including what’s necessary, in an easy-to-read font size. Sometimes, less is more.

Lastly, don’t ignore the formatting details. Small aspects of your resume such as font usage and alignment of dates can make a major impact. Once again, having a reader-friendly CV is crucial; disregard of consistent formatting can lead to a resume that presents you as a disorganized and careless candidate.

Looking for some helpful examples? Check out next week’s blog for the final installment of our series on resume writing and join our mailing list today.