How far prior??

If you were something really impressive at a young age (like state twirling champion when you were 12, just a random example) I can understand that, but anything else...I'm not versed in recs or resumes, but that would just come across to me like you didn't have enough in recent years and needed to "pad" your achievements.

33girl took the words right out of my mouth. Nobody cares that you were student council secretary in the seventh grade. If you played piano at Carnegie Hall at the age of 11, that's something they'd pay attention to.

Just use a standard, straight forward layout. Honestly (and despite what some PNMs seem to think) all chapters are looking for is the info in an easy to read manner. Try to keep it to 1 page, 2 at the most but only if you have a lot of activities or awards. As 33girl said, stick to recent or super important/unique things otherwise it just looks like a PNM is trying to pad it.

This is not the time/place to show your creativity or how much money you can spend on super expensive professional printing and paper. It's not going to earn any brownie points. Plain white paper, plain black ink, and a plain font is all that is needed.

I'm going to go ahead and strongly discourage the two-page resume.

Resumes
 

The scary thing is that I didn't go to a two page resume until I'd been in the computer industry for about 10 years. Sort of begs the question as to which is easier for a woman going to an SEC school: getting into a sorority, or getting the first salaried position after University graduation.

You know how I know an entry-level candidate is going to be a pain in the ass?

I was going to say I FINALLY had to go to a 2 page resume, but seriously, you almost can't name an industry I haven't worked in. I've had friends make a parlor game of guessing jobs I haven't done.

But there is no case where a high school student would need 2 pages. If you have a resume that is top to bottom amazing, you'll leave them wondering what else you have. Include everything (relevant - see above) and be specific, but don't for dog's sake lie about any of it. And if you have to edit, go in order of importance, not date.

And DON'T get cutesy. Legible 12 point font (I prefer Arial, but you can use Times New Roman if you must), 1 inch margins, absolutely no wingdings of any sort.

Is this the correct number for Alabama? I have heard that they are so important.

One might get you thru if it and you are outstanding. 2 is best. 3 is OK. 4 or more is overkill.