It’s a known fact that a strong resume can get you noticed and propel you ahead of the competition. Even if you are the most qualified, your resume might not get the attention it deserves if it’s not presented in a neat and organized fashion. With the busy world we live in, your resume should be as clear and concise as possible and convey your greatest strengths.
Here are 4 key formatting tips, using Microsoft Word, to keep in mind while creating your resume.
Why Not Start With an Easy Template?
Not sure where to begin with your resume? From standard to fancy, entry level to professional, Microsoft Word offers many different resume templates to get you started. Go to File,New and then type in the word “resumes” in the search box. This is will bring up many options. Just scroll through to see which one suits you best.
Add a Header/Footer For Consistency
Your resume should have a header section that contains your basic contact information – your name, email, address, phone number and if you care to share, maybe a website or LinkedIn profile. You can add a header or footer (text at the top/bottom of every page). To do this, select the “Insert” tab and then click “Header” or “Footer”. Then select the format you want. When you’re done, click the Close Header and Footer command button in the Close group on the far right side of the Ribbon.
Use Hyperlinks to Showcase Your Successes
When submitting your resume, you may want to direct your recipient to personal accomplishments or showcase personal work. You can do so by creating a hyperlink within your document to link to specific web pages, etc. You may want to link to an online work sample, LinkedIn profile, etc. Right-click a desired word or portion of document you want to link, and select Hyperlink. The menu screen will show your selected word or phrase in the Text to Display field. Select the web address for your online information, and paste in the Address field. Click OK. To confirm that a hyperlink was created, hold Ctrl and click the new link to open it.
Use a PDF Format to Guarantee Security
After all that work you’ve put into creating your resume, you want to ensure your resume retains the formatting that you intended. Saving your resume as a Portable Document Format (PDF) will preserve your original work. Here’s how:
- Have your resume open in Microsoft Word
- Go to File, Save As
- Under “Save as type” select PDF.
- Click “save” and you’re done!
