Resume question
 

I'm currently registered for spring informal rush at a SEC school and am trying to get my resume together for recs. I am wondering if it's appropriate to use "designer" paper for my resume.

The paper I am considering using has a design similar design to this, only it would be plain/solid white where my resume information would be... would something like this be okay to use? Or should I stick with plain, white paper? I tried to do a search on this, but I couldn't find any info on this. :confused:

Thanks!! :)

Stick with plain white paper. Seriously.

Also, you didn't ask, but since I do quite a few recs every year I do have one piece of advice. Please, please, please do not simply list activites, honors and volunteer work. Elaborate on what each activity is and what you did with that group.

I have received resumes that have listed things like "Blue and Gold Club." I have no idea what that means. When I asked for more info from the PNM, turns out that "Blue and Gold Club" is a group that fundraises for the school (private) and that selection to the club is rigorous and a big honor. The PNM had fundraising experience but I would have never known because she did not put it on the resume!

Another PNM simply listed a scholarship that she had been awarded. Turns out that scholarship (with a generic name) was a full ride scholarship and she was only the second freshman to ever receive that scholarship at her school. I had no idea.

Same for volunteer work. Don't just put "Resting Pines Nursing Home." Include that you organized a "Senior Prom" for the residents of the home and what that entailed.

Maybe this problem isn't universal, but it sure is common in my area.

I understand wanting to stick out and be unique, but I would just stick to plain paper. If you really don't want to use white, maybe a light, pastel color would be nice. But no designs.

I deal with a lot of HR stuff at work. Whenever I see resumes on "designer" paper, I honestly think that they're trying too hard. It just don't strike me as professional.

And for the love of G-d and all things Elle Woods, make sure it's not scented! :)

My personal suggestion would be to keep it simple and elegant. I LOVE paper, but for this I would find a nice cotton or linen blend in white or cream. You can be more creative in the design of your resume with an elegant font for your name. I looked very quickly for a link but the only one I found wasn't a direct link, and I don't want to look like I'm spamming!

Plus you want it to be in a format that can be easily emailed (pdf, Word, etc.) as some recommendation writers would rather have that to pull from.

Also, about clubs or organizations, please mention if you need to be sponsored for the organization, elected to it, or volunteer. It's not a big deal which it is, but it does define the activity better.

The most design I'd ever use (or have seen) is maybe a line of color down the side, or across the top or bottom.

ETA: I think the type of paper is most important than a design, such as Crane, Tiffany or such. This is an example. One woman for whom I wrote a rec used matching notes to thank the women who gave her recs, then let us all know with the same matching cards. I was impressed with her style!

Oooooo . . . what did she go? :)

I agree... if you want to make things "fancy", use more professional paper in cream or white, or maybe even a light grey. But don't use patterns! I've never had experience with recs before, but I know that pretty paper won't get you job interviews, so I highly doubt they'll get you a bid to a sorority. K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid!) ... not that you're stupid, but you get the idea.

If you want to stand out, put your name in bold, in a different font (nothing too crazy, though!). For descriptions of your involvement in clubs and activities, use a lot of "-ed" words: prepared, managed, received, led, participated, created, etc.

Oh, wow! I didn't expect to get so many helpful responses so quickly! Thank you all so much for all of the advice, I will definitely keep everything you all said in mind when writing my resume!

Also, I've looked at several resume examples on different alumnae associations' websites and noticed that some, but not all, also included a PNM's hobbies and interests. I know this might sound like a dumb question, haha, but is okay/normal for a PNM to put their hobbies and interests on their resume?

I would say so, if it's something you're seeing on a lot of Alumnae Panhellenic websites. I wouldn't go oeverboard with it (a few hobbies, not a laundry list of 20).

I definitely agree that you should use plain high quality paper. I've reached a "certain age" (ugh!) where I need to use reading glasses. Even then, the resumes I receive for employment with my company that are printed on busy paper can be difficult to read. Some of the women who will be writing your recs may be in the same position, so it's smart to make their lives as easy as possible!

And, for the love of all that is holy, please don't use Comic Sans! Nothing screams "wannabe-cutesy-but-totally-unprofessional" like that font!

Ditto to the -ed words on the resume. Active voice is your friend...

sharing some of your interests and hobbies can help the sororities match you up with a member with similar interests. it also gives them some possible topics of conversation.

Even for a recruitment document? Really? This just seems pretty intense to me.


ETA: I totally agree with the people who said to describe your activities and honors. Especially for the women you are asking for recs, it allows them to describe you and your accomplishments so much better. And as FSUZeta notes, more information allows the chapter to do a better job recruiting you.

Comic Sans is supposed to be easiest to read.