Home

Selecting a Resume Layout

When you choose a resume layout, you need to make sure that it will make your resume easy to read and appealing to the eye.  A good resume layout makes it simple to locate the most pertinent information quickly, and doesn't confuse or overwhelm the reader.  There are many different choices for layouts, and the one you choose depends on a few simple factors.  Find the right resume layout easily by looking at them with these basic ideas in mind.

Does it provide space for all of your information?

You may really like the resume layout you see on someone else's resume, but that doesn't mean it will work for you.  Every career has slightly different resume requirements.  Depending on your education and experience, and your field, you may need more or fewer sections for a complete resume.  Some layouts are designed for people in a particular field, such as medical professionals, while others are better for an entry level resume.  Be sure to choose one that matches your needs.

Make sure it's readable

When you look at a resume layout, consider how easy it was for you to read and find the important information about the person in question.  Was the contact information clear and easy to locate?  Were the education and work experience sections well organized?  Did you find yourself confused or re-reading sections because you felt you had missed something?  These are important considerations for a resume layout.

Using a template for your layout

A resume template makes it easy to put your resume together by providing a pre-formatted layout into which you simply fit your personal information.  Again, be sure to choose a layout that is easy to read and suits your needs.  Your content should fit into it easily, and you shouldn't have extra sections of the resume that you aren't sure how to fill.  Templates can be very helpful for your resume layout, but you have to pick the right one!

Keep it simple

A good resume layout is a simple one.  A resume should be eye-catching and appealing, but it should also provide information quickly and concisely and not clutter the page.  Clean, basic sections with plenty of space on the page are a good idea.  Too much information cluttered into a tight space looks mess y and is difficult to read.

Your resume layout is the first step towards completing a great resume.  It is the structure around which you will build your career information.  If you choose a simple one that meets all of your needs, employers will find it easy to read your resume, and that means you have made it over the first hurdle – getting your resume seen.  When an employer looks at a stack of resumes, you want yours to stand out, so choose a resume layout that is both attractive and displays your experience to the best advantage.