A strong resume is a key component in finding a job. Recruiters and hiring managers report that they spend just seven seconds reviewing each one – so it needs to make an impression quickly. Resumes that are clearly written, organized, and free of spelling and grammar errors will be favored over those that are difficult to read or follow.
Use bold or italics sparingly to emphasize key words and phrases. If you use them too often, they lose their impact and may look overdone. Use white space around headings, blocks of text, and margins to help ensure that your resume is easy to scan.
Limit the length of your resume to one page. If you have a long career history or are looking to switch careers, focus on your most relevant experience. You can include volunteer and student experiences if they are related to the position for which you are applying.
For jobs that span multiple years, write each job in the year it was held instead of listing the months worked. This makes the gap between jobs less noticeable. If you had a gap for an extended period of time (like when you moved, were laid off, or were raising a family), explain why in the experience section.
Ask friends and colleagues to review your resume and offer feedback. It’s especially helpful to get feedback from someone who is in a similar industry or job search. At UW-Madison, students can visit the Letters and Science Career Center, Engineering Career Services, Nursing Career Services, Education Career Services, or Business Career Services for individual feedback. Resume writing advice