DeKALB | Resume writing can be intimidating. Here are some general guidelines to help start a resume.

A resume should be one page in length

“There are many ways to rearrange your information to make it all fit onto one page,” said Jessica Baldwin, NIU communications internship coordinator. “The professionals you’re submitting it to most likely have one-page resumes even with all of their experience, therefore you should keep yours to a page as well.”

You can save some space on your resume by listing references on a separate page.

Boldface important information

“The information that should be boldfaced in a resume includes the degree earned or in progress, the grade point average and the names of job titles held,” said Laura Mruk, graudate assistant for Career Services. Personalize a resume based on qualifications an employer is looking for.

Stay away from resume templates

Employers can spot a resume that has been built off of a template with one glance. Career Services suggests to stay away from templates because they do not allow for flexibility in your resume. Resume formats may vary for certain majors, Mruk said. For example, an engineering major will want to demonstrate their technical abilities through coursework and experience. Education majors would want to highlight their experience in clinicals and student teaching.

Use action words and specific language when possible

When describing examples of skills learned or job experience, start the bullet points with an action word and be detailed in your word usage.

“‘Supervised six employees and managed a budget of $10,000′ is more impressive than ‘managed others and balanced the budget,'” Baldwin said.

For help with resume writing, stop by the Career Services Office in the Campus Life Building, Room 235. Walk-in office hours are daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.