The appearance of your resume must invite the reader to carefully consider your qualifications.

I. Length
Limit your resume to one or two pages. Businesses tend to prefer one-page resumes. Education, non-profit, and government employers often welcome two-page resumes. If you have two pages, make sure your second page contains relevant material and you have enough text to fill at least half of the second page. Be sure to type your name at the top of the second page and indicate the page number.

II. Format
Prioritize information in your resume from most important to least important and most recent to least recent. Font sizes from 11 point to 12 point work well.

III. Paper Quality
Produce your resume on top quality bond paper of at least 20-pound weight, size 8 1/2" x 11". Suggested colors are white, off-white, ivory, or very light gray. Darker paper may not photocopy or scan well. WalMart, Target, and other retailers sell resume paper in their stationery sections.

IV. Writing Style
Write your resume so key facts leap from the page. Omit personal pronouns. Avoid wordiness. Write in active voice starting each statement with an action word.

V. Emphasizing Important Items
Graphics - such as CAPITALIZING, bold, italics, underlining, the asterisk (*), or the bullet help to highlight items you want to bring to the reader's attention. However, don't overuse these graphics or they will lose their impact. And never use italics or underlining in a resume that will be scanned.

VI. Proofread, Proofread
An error-free resume is essential.

VII. Production
Use Word or another word processing program; avoid resume template software. Print your resume on a laser or a top quality ink jet printer.