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Our culture is obsessed with good design, so ensuring you format your resume correctly is essential to get noticed.

Think about it.

We love to buy and share products that make us feel excited just because of the way they look or the way they feel in our hands.

Think of all the Apple people in your life.

You know who I’m talking about.

Your coworker that only carries the latest iPhone around in her hand, wears the huge watch and complains about having to use the company-issued PC.

While they may be annoying, Apple people who joined the cult are enthusiasts because the brand has done an incredible job of making beautifully designed products that feel custom.

Even though their products are sold to the masses, the experience of seamlessly connecting all facets of your life through a few Apple devices is pretty awesome.

Contrast that experience with BlackBerry.

Remember those?

Sure, when it first came out, everyone loved it because it was the ultimate smartphone.

But now that Android and iPhone dominate the market, BlackBerry phones are dinosaurs.

What do you think if you see someone with a BlackBerry? You probably think that person is out of touch.

The next time you sit down to write your resume, think like Apple and format your resume so that it’s simple and easy to read.

Create a remarkable document by customizing it for every position you apply for.

Take the time to format your resume to stand out from the crowd because it delivers a personalized experience.

Here’s how to do it.

  1. Write a one-page resume – Ok, this isn’t a formatting guideline, but it is essential, and it’s where you should start if you need to update your resume or write one from scratch.
  2. Organize the contentAdd a headline, summary of qualifications, and specialties section to the top of the page.
  3. Move less relevant information to the bottom Move your education, certifications, licenses, and relevant publications to the bottom of the page.
  4. Move your contact information The most important part of your resume is your headline, summary, and skills sections. Put your contact information in the footer to optimize the real estate at the top of the document.
  5. Do not include your community involvement Unless it is directly related to the job description. When in doubt, leave it off.
  6. Do not include your education dates – People make assumptions when they see dates, and you don’t want to seem too old or young. Leave them off.
  7. Remove the references line – Do not include “References available upon request.” If they want them, they’ll ask.
  8. Write a summary of qualifications – Do not include an objective statement. They don’t care about your career aspirations. Leave it off and use the space for your summary. Your summary of qualifications should only be 3-4 sentences explaining why you are a great candidate.
  9. Go easy on your colors – Use one or two colors max. Preferably black and one accent color. Pull back on your colors and fonts if your resume looks more like an infographic.
  10. Submit the right version of your resumeSubmit the PDF version of your resume to maintain the integrity of the document (read: polished and error-free).

Getting an interview is all about maximizing your competitive edge, so a well-designed resume is essential. Walking around with an outdated resume is like walking around with a BlackBerry.

You’d never be caught dead doing that, so take the time to format your resume correctly, and the results will speak for themselves.

If you need help, let me take a look at your resume for you.