Washington State University Career Guide - Flipbook - Page 13
Career & Resume Guide
for Cougs, 2024 Edition
¤ Utilize Bullet Points: Bullet points are preferred. Why? It’s simple – bullet points help
employers pinpoint keywords and experiences they are looking for.
¤ Single Column: Generally, a one-column format is Applicant Tacking System (ATS)
friendly and improves the readability of your document.
VISUAL CONSIDERATIONS
Select simple font styles that are easy to read (both for recruiters and ATS) and use them
consistently throughout your resume. Using a simple font will help your content stand out and
convey a polished and professional look. Here are a few of our Academic Success and Career
Center (ASCC) favorites:
! Aptos
! Arial
! Calibri
! Century Gothic
! Lucida Sans
! Times New Roman
Here are some general visual tips:
¤ Font Size: 11-point font size is a good starting point for most of your resume content. Use
a larger or bolder font for your main heading or section headers.
¤ Speaking of Bold: Using bolding may help you visually highlight specific content (section
headings, keywords, etc.) – use it strategically.
¤ Find Balance: Your resume should have a good balance of text and open space – avoid
overcrowding your text and maximize your use of horizontal and vertical page space.
Margins should be no smaller than .5” all around.
¤ Avoid the Copy Paste Monster: Are you copying and pasting things into your resume?
Beware of the copy paste monster – make sure all your formatting (font size, font type,
etc.) is consistent.
LANGUAGE
Use clear, concise, and strong action-related language throughout your resume. Here are some
general suggestions as you build and refine your resume.
¤ Past and present tense: Use past tense to describe your previous experiences (ex.
developed, assisted, etc.) and present tense for your current experience.
¤ Showcase impact: Use action-oriented verbs to describe your experiences (check out
our list of strong action verbs in our appendix).
¤ Skip the mystery: Avoid using slang (-1000 aura points), acronyms, and abbreviations.
Use direct statements and explicitly explain/describe your qualifications.
13 | Career & Resume Guide for Cougs, 2024 Edition
