Resume Formatting and Content

DO NOT USE ANY KIND OF RESUME TEMPLATE. Templates contain hidden formatting that can sometimes be read by an ATS as a virus. Mimic any format you like, but be sure to create your own document.
Do not use computer generated headers or footers, columns, icons, design elements, photos, or borders.
Use standard margins (.5 inches to 1 inch) and bullets.
Use a professional font such as Calibri, Arial, Verdana or Gill Sans (or other sans-serif font).
Your resume content should be all the same font and font size (except for your name, which is largest); it should be simply designed and readable, with consistent spacing throughout.
Your name should be at the top on a line by itself.
With few exceptions, your resume for internships and entry level jobs should be one page.

Know your audience and write to your audience. There is no such thing as a general resume. To save time, it is helpful to create a “Menu of Options” that includes all of your experiences, formatted correctly, that you can then pick and choose from. But every time you send out a resume, it needs to be tailored for the job or internship you’re applying to.
Read the opportunity you are applying for carefully. Print it out and highlight keywords. What are keywords? Re-read the opportunity and notice words repeated more than once, words that seem important, or words that start bullet points. Replace your own language with those keywords where applicable.
Notice the order the employer has placed their requirements in the Qualifications/Requirements section. The order of your resume headings should follow the order of their requirements (if they list education first, put education at the top of your resume, etc.).
Descriptions should start with action verbs.
All the clues you need to tailor your resume are there in the job description, so read it carefully!