One page is ideal, two pages are acceptable in certain circumstances, such as having a lengthy work history or a lot of technical skills, such as computer science or information technology majors. If you are uncertain of how long your resume should be, stop at the CAP Center for advice.
Your resume, cover letter, and references should be on resume paper (available at the Creative Media Center in the basement of Zimmerman). White, cream, gray, and light blue are acceptable colors. Paper size should be 8 ½ by 11. Do not fold them in an envelope! Matching envelopes are also available at the CMC. Also, do not staple your resume and cover letter together.
Most employers spend only 15-30 seconds reviewing each resume in their first look, so it is critical that you make it attractive, organized, and targeted to the position you are applying for. This also means, ABSOLUTELY NO MISTAKES!! You will need to spend time on your resume, and it will probably go through many drafts. You may also have a few different versions of your resume for different types of positions. Don’t expect to create and finish your resume in one day. Bring it in to the CAP Center for a critique, so you can be sure that your resume is the best it can be.
