Most employers spend less than 20 seconds scanning a resume before making a preliminary decision about the candidate. Put yourself in the reader’s position and think about what they are looking for in an employee.
Margins should never be smaller than .5."
Use easy-to-read fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, Calibri or Times New Roman.
Avoid over-formatting text. Only use italics or underlines if necessary. Make your section headings bold.
Use active phrases instead of passive ones.
Entry-level candidates should limit their resume to one page. Mid-career and experienced candidates may have a two-page resume. Do not go over two pages.
Use 10-12 point font. Avoid very small or very large text.
Do not rely on your computer’s spell check function. Review each word carefully. It is easy to miss typos when you are familiar with the content of the document.
Have at least two other people review your resume for spelling, grammar and other errors.
Avoid using colored text or images or blocks of color on the resume.
Do not lie about your experience. Augmenting your credentials with a little fiction might help you get the job but you can easily lose it if you are found out. Many employers conduct background checks.
Do not include university or company logos without express written consent from the organization. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University does not approve the use of the university logo or official seal on resumes or other job search-related correspondence.
