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Having trouble finding work? Maybe your resume needs an overhaul. An attractive and well laid out resume almost demands to be read, while one that is hastily put together or looks that way is easily passed over in today's competitive job market.

Take the time to evaluate your resume from an employer's point of view. Would it catch your eye? Is there anything about your resume that would make it stand out in a pile of 50 or more? If not, here are some tips to ensure it gets noticed:

Typed Text

Never and I mean NEVER submit a handwritten resume, even if your penmanship is superb. A typed resume is a symbol of both your sincerity and professionalism. If a handwritten cover letter is requested, use a blue or black ballpoint pen and paper that matches your resume. Do not use lined foolscap. Never scratch out an old address or phone number and write the new information in by hand. Keep your resume on a computer disk or CD so updates are quick and easy to do.

Font Selection

With the advent of word processors there is a plethora of fonts or type styles to choose from, but beware: some fonts are difficult to read and can overpower a resume. Use no more than two different fonts in your resume: one that is easy-to-read for the body of the document (e.g. Times New Roman or Arial), and a complimentary one for your name and section headings.

Paper Choice

Resist the temptation to grab the employer's attention by using brightly coloured or patterned paper. Remember, readability is the key: neutral shades are easier on the eye than neon or dark colours. If you want employers to take your application seriously, save the paper with rainbows and clouds for your next letter to Aunt Bea.

White Space

A resume crammed full of information with very little white space (areas without text) can be difficult to scan and may intimidate the reader. Conversely, a sparse resume, that is, one with too much white space, may not get read because it suggests a lack of skills and experience. Adjusting the page margins, font size, and line spacing will increase or decrease white space.

Layout

Does the text in your resume line up neatly all down the page? Are sections clearly defined with consistent formatting, e.g. centered headings? Do not underestimate these seemingly insignificant details. Under an employer's careful scrutiny, misaligned text and inconsistent formatting may be interpreted as inattention to detail.

Email Formats

To ensure the recipient will be able to view your emailed resume, use a universal font such as Arial or Times New Roman, keep the formatting simple, and save it as a "rich text" document. Align text with a table rather than tabs, and choose plain dots or squares for bulleted lists.

Proofreading

Proofread, proofread, proofread, and then have someone else look over your resume before you send it out. Errors such as typos and incomplete or missing information are red flags to employers, as often a resume is viewed as an applicant's first chance to demonstrate their accuracy and attention to detail.

Remember, you are often competing with hundreds of other job seekers. In order to get noticed by an employer, your resume needs to be more than a simple list of where you have worked and what you did there. If you need help producing a resume that gets results, give the Job Shop a call at 334-3119 or drop by our office at Suite 103, 555 Fourth Street in Courtenay. Resumes are just one of the many FREE services we offer to unemployed or underemployed (less than 20 hrs/wk) Canadians.

Finding work these days can be a challenge, but with the right resume you are well on your way to landing that all important interview.