How to Make Your Resume Stand Out.

We all know how difficult hunting for a new job can be. It is often stressful and depressing when we do not get the first job we apply for. This is an experience nearly everyone will have to deal with at some point in their life. If you want to avoid that situation, you need to find a way to make you and your resume stand out from everyone else, even those equally or more qualified then you. This often proves to be a very difficult task.

You should always remember that first impressions tend to be lasting impressions, and your resume is the first impression your potential employer will have with you. By having a resume that is well formatted and written very well, you increase your chances of getting the first interview and possibly even the job. Often potential employers receive a large amount of resumes and to make things easier for themselves they quickly scan them to determine if the resume is worth giving a second look at. Therefore, you only have one shot at making them notice you.

You should never use a resume template that will likely be chosen by other candidates. They may offer you a quick and easy way to get a resume typed up; however they are likely to be older, more common formats which will make your resume look all too ordinary. Also, if you have to email your resume to your employer, these templates often do not translate well when opened on the other end.

Another very common mistake is adding a graphic or a picture of you to the resume page. This is not necessary and not appropriate for a professional resume. Sure, it will make your resume stand out; however, it will give your employer the impression that you do not take yourself or your job professionally. That kind of a first impression is not often going to help land you the job. You should do some research and find a resume type that makes the most sense for your job type. You should then alter that resume type to fit your personality type and work style.

When writing up a resume, you should follow these basic formatting rules:

- Your resume should be no more then two pages.

- The standard one inch margins on the top, bottom, left, and right should be included.

- Always use the left justification, not the centering format.

- The type of font and its size should be the same throughout your resume.

- Use basic circle or square bullets. Some symbols may not translate well in emails.

- You can put the headlines in all capital letters, but the rest of the text should have regular formatting.

- You should not underline any information in your resume due to the fact that it could imply a web link on internet applications.

- The font size for headlines should be no more then fourteen points and the rest not over twelve.

You should always proofread your resume before sending it, as too many typos or bad word usage could reflect poorly upon you. You might even want a second pair of eyes, like a family member or a friend, to look over it because they may catch things you missed. Remember, your resume will be your future employers first impression of you, so it is best to make it a good impression. Never add pictures or other non-job related materials to your resume as it can cause you to look unprofessional. By following those formatting tips and suggestions above, you can ensure yourself a better chance at winning out over your competition.