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Got a resume that's just pain hard to look at? Does it crack mirrors and get dogs barking? More importantly, is it not generating interview invitations? Sometimes, tweaking a single design element or two can make a huge difference in both the readability of a resume, and the impression it makes on the reader. Here are 5 "beauty tips" to keep in mind when crafting a resume that's a pleasure to read.

5 Beauty Tips For The Ugly Resume

1 – Stay away from unusual fonts and over-the-top graphics. Yes, you can work with a couple of different fonts on your resume for visual appeal, but limit your creativity to just two. Do keep in mind that the smart money bets on old standbys like New Times Roman (if you prefer lettering with a serif) or Arial, Helvetica or Verdana if you're looking for a clean, more modern look (sans serif). And that watermark of Luke Skywalker and Vadar with light sabers crossed? Save it for your personal stationery.

2 – Think short. As a general rule of thumb, the candidate with grad-level to 5 years experience is best served by a 1-page resume. A 2-page resume can be justified for mid-career professionals and executives. And 3 pages? Let's keep that length reserved for executives, those with scientific or highly technical background, and the CV (curriculum vitae).

3. Make use of indented text, bullet points, italics and bold headings. Strategic use of these tools helps to organize data, highlight important points, and dramatically increase readability.

4 – Do not be afraid of white space. Too many writers try to pack too much into a page, resulting in a resume with giant blocks of text that are difficult to read. Cull out what's not absolutely necessary, and use bulleted lists to organize qualifications and achievements.

5 – Spell check. Ever seen a Miss Universe contantant smile on camera and show a bit of spinach between her teeth? No, I have not either. That's because they have teams of people going over every aspect of their appearance before being thrust out onto the world's stage. Before your resume is thrust out onto the world's stage, you need to take that same kind of care when it comes to checking for spelling and grammar mistakes. Why? Because many hiring officials will toss a resume if they encounter even a single misspelling. They've got too many resumes to plow through to bother with a candidate who apparently does not care enough about the job hunt to get the resume language spot on and accurate. Can you blame them? After all, the job hunt is your job for the time being. Treat it like it's a job, because you're being evaluated like it's a job.

Pretty Resume – Getting It Read Is The First Step

Understand that design elements alone will not land you the job of your dreams. But they may help your resume get read. At that point, it's up to your qualifications, and the skill of the writer in communicating those qualifications.

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Source by David Alan Carter