When a Resume Gets Too "Fat," Do These First B4 Cutting Content...
You know that page space fills quickly if you're a heavy resume writer. You've likely dealt with this challenge many times in the past. Most resumes land around two pages in length.
However, there are times when a few lines of content spill onto a new page (see the below example), taking up just enough room where you're forced to dive into the content and find sentences and other text bits to cut out.
But instead of cutting text, how about you apply some advanced formatting strategies first?
#1 STRATEGY
First, there's the most obvious: the consolidation of lines.
From this...
EDUCATION
B.S., Mechanical Engineering
Ohio State University (OSU), Dayton, OH
To this...
EDUCATION | B.S., Mechanical Eng | Ohio State University (OSU)
Boom! We've cut out more lines.
And from this...
CERTIFICATIONS
Process Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (PFMEA)
Root Cause & Corrective Action (RCCA)
Lean Fundamentals (Maximizing Productivity & Minimizing Waste)
Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)
To this...
CERTIFICATIONS | Process Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Root Cause & Corrective Action (RCCA), Lean Fundamentals (Maximizing Productivity & Minimizing Waste), and Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)
Boom! There are more lines eliminated.
#2 STRATEGY
Eliminate or shrink the space between headers and the following content.
Instead of this...
MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONAL SKILLS
Staffing/Staff Management – Manpower Allocation – Project Budgets & Overhead – Contract Compliance – Product & Project Deliverables – Customer Support & Service – Continuous Process Improvements – Department Leadership – Change Management Initiatives – Strategic Planning – Team Efficiency & Performance Improvements – New Policies/Procedures/Systems – Multi-Department Transformations – Project Management – Kaizen Lean Thinking & Methods – Just-In-Time (JIT) Delivery – Value Stream Mapping
To this...
MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONAL SKILLS
Staffing/Staff Management – Manpower Allocation – Project Budgets & Overhead – Contract Compliance – Product & Project Deliverables – Customer Support & Service – Continuous Process Improvements – Department Leadership – Change Management Initiatives – Strategic Planning – Team Efficiency & Performance Improvements – New Policies/Procedures/Systems – Multi-Department Transformations – Project Management – Kaizen Lean Thinking & Methods – Just-In-Time (JIT) Delivery – Value Stream Mapping
If you prefer spacing below your headers, consider shrinking rather than eliminating it.
Click on the empty space and select a smaller font size. An odd recommendation, sure, especially since there's no text on that line. However, before your eyes, you'll see the space between the skills header and the lower content shrink. Quick and easy.
This strategy works well for all empty lines found:
- Between Paragraphs
- Above/Below Headers
- Resume Intro & Subcategories
#3 STRATEGY
A preferred formatting technique for resume writers is before-and-after-paragraph spacing. This format is often used with bulleted and numbered lists. Adjusting your spacing to something slightly tighter can help eliminate content spillage.
For example, going from a before spacing of 5 pt instead of 6 pt can make a difference.
