Resume Design Resume Writing 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended font size range for the body text of a professional resume?
- 8–9 pt
- 10–12 pt (Correct answer)
- 14–16 pt
- 18–20 pt
Correct answer: 10–12 pt
Body text between 10 and 12 points ensures readability while keeping the resume compact.
Question 2: Which of the following is considered an outdated resume practice?
- Using bullet points for job duties
- Including the phrase 'References available upon request' (Correct answer)
- Listing LinkedIn URL in the header
- Using a professional email address
Correct answer: Including the phrase 'References available upon request'
'References available upon request' wastes space and is universally assumed; modern resumes omit this phrase.
Question 3: When should you use a functional resume format?
- When you have a strong, linear career progression
- When you want to emphasize skills over a spotty work history (Correct answer)
- When applying for senior executive roles
- When your most recent job is your most impressive
Correct answer: When you want to emphasize skills over a spotty work history
Functional resumes front-load skills and de-emphasize chronology, which can benefit candidates with gaps or career changes.
Question 4: What should be the email address style on a professional US resume?
- A fun nickname-based address like partygirl1990@email.com
- A professional address using your name, like jsmith@email.com (Correct answer)
- Your work email from your current employer
- No email — phone only is sufficient
Correct answer: A professional address using your name, like jsmith@email.com
A professional email using your name projects credibility and is the industry standard for US resumes.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the 'reverse chronological' resume format?
- Lists skills in order of proficiency
- Lists work experience starting with the oldest job first
- Lists most recent work experience first, working backward (Correct answer)
- Lists education before any other section
Correct answer: Lists most recent work experience first, working backward
Reverse chronological format places your most recent and typically most relevant experience at the top, which is what most US employers prefer.
Question 6: How should you list a degree on your resume if you haven't completed it yet?
- Omit it entirely
- List it as 'Bachelor of Science (In Progress), Expected May 2027' (Correct answer)
- List it as if you've already earned it
- Add a footnote explaining it's not finished
Correct answer: List it as 'Bachelor of Science (In Progress), Expected May 2027'
Noting the degree as 'In Progress' with an expected graduation date is transparent and still highlights your educational advancement.
Question 7: What is the best way to handle multiple positions held at the same company?
- List each position as a separate employer entry
- Group them under one company heading with separate role entries beneath (Correct answer)
- Only list the highest position held
- List them in chronological (oldest first) order under the company
Correct answer: Group them under one company heading with separate role entries beneath
Grouping roles under one employer while listing each title separately shows career progression within a company and avoids repetition.
Resume Design Resume Writing 4
What is the recommended font size range for the body text of a professional resume?