Every craftsperson needs a portfolio - a way to showcase their best work and demonstrate their evolution in the craft. For modern professionals, the resume serves this essential function. But here's the thing: resumes aren't just documents we dust off during job searches. When approached with intention, they become living records of our professional craft that inspire us to push beyond the basic requirements of our roles. In this series, we're exploring four critical aspects of resume crafting:
Whether you're actively job searching or simply wanting to document your professional journey more effectively, these posts, and our very own ebook: Resume Paint, will help you transform your resume from a simple work history into a compelling showcase of your craft.
Details That Make Your Resume Shine
A master woodworker knows: the difference between good work and exceptional work often lies in the final touches - not the ornate details, but the foundational elements that showcase quality. Your resume deserves this same focused attention to its fundamental presentation.
The Power of One Page
Think about showing your work to a potential client. Would you overwhelm them with every piece you've ever made, or would you curate a selection that tells your story? A one-page resume isn't just about length - it's a demonstration of your ability to:
Discern what's most important
Communicate concisely
Understand your audience's time constraints
Show confidence in your strongest work
Like a craftsperson selecting their best pieces for a gallery showing, your one-page limit forces strategic choices that ultimately create a stronger presentation. There may be contrary evidence for how a two-page resume fits into the modern job-search, but for my experience as an applicant and hiring manager - one is better. It’s job is to showcase the most important items so I can set up an interview to learn more.
Visual Hierarchy: Guiding Your Reader's Journey
Just as a well-crafted piece naturally draws the eye to its most important features, your resume should create a clear path for the reader:
The Foundation
Your name deserves prominence (16-18pt font)
Contact information should be easily scannable
Section headers should stand out clearly from content
The Structure
Most recent/relevant experiences near the top
Clear separation between sections
Balanced white space to frame content
Consistent indentation for sub-points
Consistency: The Mark of Professional Polish
Inconsistencies in a resume are like tool marks left unfinished - they distract from the quality of the work. Maintain consistency in:
Date formatting
Bullet point style
Verb tense
Spacing between sections
Header formatting
Font size for each level of information
The Final Quality Check
Before sending your work into the world, use this craftsperson's checklist:
Content Structure
One page in length
Name is largest text on page
All dates follow same format
All bullet points begin with strong verbs
Section headers clearly visible
LinkedIn profile included
Email and phone number easily found
Professional Polish
File saved as PDF (unless .docx specifically requested)
File size under 2MB
Filename follows clean format: "Resume_FirstLast"
No dramatic colors or design elements
Consistent spacing between all sections
No orphaned words or lines
Margins minimum 0.5 inches all around
Final Inspection
Print your resume
Review at arm's length for visual balance
Check on different devices
Have a trusted colleague review
Test send to another email address
The Next Steps
Looking at your resume from arm's length, what draws your eye first? Is that where you want attention to go?
One of author Stephen King’s best piece of editing advices is to “kill your darlings” - those things that pack a punch, that you love, and that…just don’t contribute to the overall story you’re going for. What info could you remove to strengthen your one-page story.
Ready to dig deeper into crafting a career that stands up to scrutiny? Want to learn more tools for showcasing your professional craftsmanship? Our comprehensive ebook "Resume Paint" provides in-depth guidance on building a career that withstands the test of time. It's packed with practical exercises, real-world examples, and proven techniques for demonstrating your value to even the most discerning hiring managers.