Stand-out
Names
by
ResumeEdge.com
- The Net's Premier Resume Writing and Editing Service
Since your résumé is
basically an advertisement for you and your skills, you should think about the
design of your résumé from a marketing standpoint. When you see a well-designed
ad, what is the first thing you notice (besides a picture of the product)? The
product name, of course. Since you are the product, your name should be the
first thing a reader sees and remembers. To accomplish that, there is really
only one rule to remember: Your name should be easy to read and it should stand
out above the rest of the text. That can be done by using:
A Larger Font in
Upper/Lower Case
ALL CAPS
FIRST
LETTER
LARGER
A Creative Font
In the Sample
Resumes Section, you will also notice the use of graphic elements and
lines to help define the name and separate it from the rest of the text. Even
scanned clip art letters or a signature can be used to enhance a résumé, but
the latter only works when you have great handwriting. Your name, however,
should not distract the reader from the message. Make it part of the overall
design of your résumé but separate it from the body text with lines or spacing.
The most important thing is to
make sure the style of your name reflects your personality, tempered by the
expectations of your industry. If you are flamboyant and are looking for a job
in the arts, then you have a license to be creative. Go for it! If, on the
other hand, you work in a conservative industry or you feel uncomfortable with
your name printed large, then it is important to tone it down.
Remember to look for the word
Scannable if you are trying to design a résumé for a high-tech or large
company. Designer fonts, names with graphic elements in the place of letters,
reverse boxes, and script names will not scan.
From
Designing the Perfect Resume,by Pat Criscito.
Copyright 2000. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational
Series, Inc.
|
|
