Resume Format

Your resume should contain these four key sections:

• Contact section: your contact info is stacked top and center of your resume: first and last name (can be slightly larger font and bolded, but not more than 4 points larger), address (including street address on the first line and city, state and zip on a second line), phone number (ideally a mobile number where you can be easily reached), and e-mail address (use an account that you review at least once per day)
• Objective section: can be limited by: job type, industry and geography. Example: Sr. Auditor in public accounting in the Seattle area.
• Education section: highest degree listed first
• Experience section: reverse chronological, most recent employer first

Additional optional sections would include: Summary section (where you list in 2-4 one-line bullet points a quick summary of your background, placed immediately after your objective section); Activities section (more common on entry level resumes where activities may be a valuable way to fill out the page, although keep them career-focused, showing leadership activities whenever possible).

Sections not recommended for inclusion would be: References (it is assumed by employers that you have references and that they will be provided upon request, don't waste space on your resume listing this information); Personal Interests (if it's career oriented enough to include in an Activities section, put it there, but keep all truly personal information and personal interests off your resume).

Use either Arial or Times New Roman fonts (easiest to read, easiest to import) in sizes from 10 to 12 point font (you can increase the font size up to 4 points for your name at the top of the resume). Margins should be between .5" and 1" (although your bottom margin may be larger).

Keep your resume length to one page for internship, entry level and recent grads (first job after your degree). More experience (two jobs or more after your degree) can go up to two pages, although do not exceed two pages total.

Typically you will use one vertical line of spacing between sections of the resume, although it is acceptable to use two vertical lines of spacing if you are having difficulty filling the page (which can often be the case for an internship or entry level resume). However, do not simply add content just to fill out the page. Keep the resume on point with all of the key information needed and don't do anything unnatural to fill out the blank space on the page.

Sample resumes - review these sample resumes to see the components of a great resume.