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Resumé Headings
Headings are another area in which people tend to either obsess about getting them perfect or give them scant consideration. However, there are a few basics to be observed in all resumés. The finer details tend to vary depending on the structure chosen for the resumé and the field to which it is targeted.
The first and most prominent item on your resumé should beef your name and contact information. Your name will be at the top and in the largest font, and should be the first thing the reader notices. However, do not draw excessive attention to your name. A common mistake many people make is trying to draw attention to one's name by using an unusual font such as script or black letter.
First, it is generally considered to be poor form to use flashy fonts, since they tend to be viewed as gimmicky rather than legitimate tools for drawing attention. Second, it is difficult to anticipate what software an versions your potential employer will be using to view your resum&eaucte; online. As a result, you run a risk of not knowing exactly how your name will show up on their screen if you use an oddball font.
Instead, stick to the basic font types that are used for professional typography. Arial and Times New Roman are most commonly used and are least risky when formatting your resumé, since almost every modern operating system will have them available. It is also a mistake to use extraordinarily large font sizes. Your name should be in point size 14 or 16; whle all other headings should be in 12 or 14 point font, while the remaining text of your resume should be between 10 and 12 points.
Under your name, the very top of your resumé should contain your mailing address, your email address, and at least one phone number at which you can be reached. It is best to include a physical mailing address over a P.O. Box, whenever possible. You should never include an email address at your current place of employment. Instead, use a neutral commercial e-mail service if you do not have the wherewithal to set up your own domain name and mail service. Your e-mail address should be simple and focused on your name; avoid cutesy handles which can make you look juvenile and unprofessional. If you only list one telephone number; make sure to indicate if you are listing a home or a mobile number. If you have a professional web site, you can include the address to it along with your contact information. However, only do so if there isn't anything on the web site that is personal. A potential employer will only be interested in looking at a web site is if your professional portfolio or a copy of your resume can be found there.
Whether you decide to create a chronological or a functional resume, you will need appropriate headings to separate and organize the information. Practices vary across professions, but it is generally best to keep section headings simple and professional. Don't try to make your resumé stand out by making up unique and creative subject headings: it just makes you look less professional.
Your chronological resumé should have the following sections/titles:
- career objective
- professional summary (optional)
- professional experience/work experience/experience
- education
- publications/special achievements (if applicable)
- qualifications/skills
- references/references and portfolio
A functional resumé is slightly different, and the headings you chose will truly depend on the skills you are trying to highlight. You should include:
- career objective
- education
- professional skills/professional qualifications (this section will include sub-headings as they relate to specific qualifications you want to promote, such as communications, customer relations, managements, etc.)
- work experience/work history (if applicable; should only include dates, titles, companies and locations without listing responsibilities)
- volunteer work/activities (if applicable)
- references
Although these are the typical sections of chronological and functional resumeés, it is possible that you are going into a field that has different expectations, particularly on certain details. Do some research on resumé styles to find sample resumés of professionals in your industry. Follow them carefully but not slavishly, but do not try to stand out from the crowd by breaking the rules. A professional and polished resumé will get you noticed, so do your best to create a resume that is error free and supports your career objective.
