Resumé Tips: Formatting

Selecting an appropriate resumé layout and design will entice the reader to delve further into your application. 

Common Resumé Sections

These sections contain factual information and details that must be easily read and logically presented.

You will want to include only those sections that contain your most relevant and impressive qualifications to the employer.

  • Header (Includes your name and contact information on the first page, and only your name listed on all subsequent pages).
  • Objective
  • Profile/Highlights
  • Education
  • Employment History
  • Volunteer Experience
  • Projects
  • Activities and Interests
  • Awards and Scholarships
  • Professional Development, Additional Training, Professional Affiliations
  • Relevant/Key Skills and Qualifications (Targeted Skills)
  • References (only if requested)

Recommended Resumé Sections

Relevant Experiences
  • Features your most relevant experience(s) first; it could be volunteer experience that closely aligns with the job description or paid experience that isn’t your most recent employment.
Additional Experiences
  • Includes other work and volunteer positions that display your work history but may not apply to the job you are applying for. Use concise descriptions in this section focusing on the most relevant aspects of the role.

Personalize Your Resumé Headings

Headings are essential as they may be all the reader remembers from a quick scan of your resumé. There are many alternative titles that you may use for naming your resumé sections. Personalize your resumé with heading titles more suited to your industry or style - explore our suggestions on the Resumé Guidebook in Navigator.

Resumé Length

Fill it up! Either condense all your resumé content onto one page or fill the second page with additional sections and experiences. We don’t recommend a second partial page or going over two pages.

Design and Aesthetics

Creating a stylish resumé or using templates can help your resumé stand out. When designing your resumé, keep the reader top of mind. You want your most relevant sections and information to be read first. 

  • Strategically use underlining, shading, or graphics to highlight sections or keywords.
  • Stick with one or two easy-to-read font styles and ensure readability. Times New Roman has long been the standard, but using a clean sans-serif font like Calibri or Arial is easier to read on a screen. 
  • Save as a PDF file to maintain formatting when submitting your resumé online or by email.
  • Neutral and accent colours can be used sparingly to create visual interest. All components should remain visible when printed in black and white. 
  • For most professions, including a profile photo on your resumé is not recommended (in North America). 


Check out next: Objective Statements and Profiles

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