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To create a
résumé which will look consistently good when e-mailed, scanned,
or viewed on a web browser, you should use the simplest
formatting possible. This may mean sacrificing the features of
your favorite word processor such as tables, paragraph borders,
and custom fonts.
If you plan
to post your résumé to the Internet, it is a good idea to keep
two versions of it. Use the on-line version for e-mail and
Internet postings. Save your fully formatted résumé for
interviews and for giving to employers who have already shown an
interest.
Follow these steps to create a
résumé that will look good no matter where you send it. These
directions will work for most word processing programs:
- Open your résumé in
your word processor.
- Save the résumé as
TEXT ONLY. (This feature is usually available by
choosing Save As from the File menu)
- Close the résumé and
reopen the new text-only version in Notepad or a similar
plain text editor.
- Edit your résumé
following the formatting suggestions below.
- Save the document.
To send your résumé in an e-mail
or post it to the Internet,
Select the résumé text, Copy it, and Paste
it into the e-mail or web page.
Formatting
Suggestions
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Use a non-proportional font
such as Courier so that each full line of text appears
as the same width on the page. |
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Do not use tabs. They are
often ignored by web browsers, and behave unpredictably
in e-mail reader programs. |
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Avoid trying to indent or
center text using the spacebar. Keep all lines justified
to the left
side of the page, and
use line breaks ("Enter" key) to separate headings and
sections. |
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Don't rely on exact
positioning of text using spaces or specific fonts. The
font that you use to create your résumé is not
necessarily the same font that will be used to display
it on the Internet or in an employer's e-mail program. |
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To emphasize a word or
words, use ALL CAPS rather than bold, or surround the
text using ***asterisks*** or #other characters#. |
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For bulleted lists, use the
asterisk (*), hyphen (-), plus sign (+) or a similar
common character. Keep in mind that long lines of text
may wrap incorrectly underneath the bullets. To avoid
this problem, keep list items under 60 characters wide. |
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Don't try to control the
width of each line in a long paragraph by using carriage
returns. Just put a single carriage return at the end of
the paragraph to allow your text to wrap normally. It
will then look consistently good even if the browser or
email reader window is resized. |
Sample On-Line
Résumé Format
JOSE A. SMITH
1234 5th Ave,
Apt. 6
Arlington, WA 98500
206.555.6666
OBJECTIVE
Merchandise and Goods Delivery Driver
CERTIFICATIONS
CDL Class B
license
WA State Food Handler’s Permit
Department of
Transportation Physical Certification
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
* Able to
lift 50-75 lbs safely and efficiently
* Maintain
excellent relationships with clients
and receiving
personnel
* Friendly and energetic personality
*
Thorough knowledge of Seattle streets
construction
conditions, and revisions
* Safe driving record
SUCCESSFULLY HANDLED PRODUCTS
* Poultry
* Meats
* Durable goods
* Dairy
deliveries
* Fish and other delicate perishables
* Dry
goods
Thorough knowledge of diesel and gas engine troubleshooting.
Maintained delivery records with accounts receivable.
Collection of money or signature from customers. Checked out
and in vehicle, including daily safety inspection.
EMPLOYMENT
Fred's Fine Foods 2000-2002
Seattle, WA
Delivery Driver
Employee of the year, 2002
Sam’s Fine Fish 1999-2000
Seattle, WA
Delivery Driver
Consistently met or
exceeded delivery goals
Swift Shipping 1998-1999
Seattle, WA
Transfer driver
Drove materials to
satellite locations
EDUCATION
Holy Mary High School
1984-1988
Taos, MN
Diploma
University of Marie del Rios
1988-1992
Santa Fe, TX
Bachelor of Arts |
More Résumé
Formatting Help:
| There are four
basic types of résumés: chronological,
functional, combination, and curricula vitae
(CVs). Choose a format that best fits your
experiences and industry or one that you are
comfortable with. Ultimately, the choice of
résumé format is up to you.
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Chronological
résumés present information in a timeline
approach.
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Functional
résumés group work experience and skills by
skill area or job function.
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Combination
résumés highlight your skills and
experiences.
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Curricula vitae
(CVs) provide a detailed statement of
your qualifications. They are only used in
certain positions and industries.
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More
Resume Examples...
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Visit a WorkSource
Office
There are a number of WorkSource offices that
offer ongoing Resume Writing Workshops free of
charge.
See
WorkSource Workshops. |
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