Posted: 04 May 2019 05:00 PM PDT

While a longer resume may be merited if you're applying for an executive-level position or have 20+ years of experience, for most people a one-page resume is sufficient. Any longer than that and you run the risk that the hiring manager won't read the whole thing. If your resume is longer than a page, it's likely bloated with information that you don't need. Keep your resume to one page by tailoring it to the job you're applying for, then editing that content so that it's actionable, direct, and specific. If after that your resume is still more than a page long, try adjusting the formatting to see if you can get it to fit.^[1]

EditSteps

EditTailoring Your Resume to the Job

Eliminate items that aren't relevant to the job you're applying for. While you may be proud of a particular job experience or educational opportunity, it has no place on your resume if it has nothing to do with the job you're applying for. You can cut a lot out of your resume by taking out everything that isn't directly related to this employment opportunity.^[2]
- For example, suppose you're a recent graduate applying for a full-time job as a financial analyst. While in school, you worked as a parking attendant. However, since your work as a parking attendant is not relevant to the work you would do as a financial analyst, you can leave it out.
- Some part-time jobs may have relevance, even if they aren't in the same industry. Think about your job experiences critically. For example, if you're applying for a job as a veterinary technician, it might be relevant that you worked as a pet groomer or pet sitter.
- Your resume essentially markets you to the potential employer and shows them why you are a strong candidate for the job. You don't need to include anything that doesn't add to that message.
Highlight hard skills that set you apart from other applicants. Read the job listing carefully and look for hard skills that the employer requires or recommends that candidates have. List as many of those as possible on your resume.^[3]
- Hard skills include certification or demonstrated proficiency in computer programming or operation, the ability to speak languages other than your first language, and office skills such as typing speed. Do not include soft skills, such as "leadership" or "team player." Instead, show these qualities through the description of your accomplishments.
- It can be tempting to list hard skills you don't actually have. Be careful with this because it may come back to haunt you. Assume that, if hired, you will be asked to do anything included in the job listing as part of your job.
List relevant volunteer work in your "Experience" section. Work experience means work that you've done – not just work that you got paid for. Volunteer work or internships that are relevant to the job you're applying for can help boost your resume, especially if you're looking for an entry-level job.^[4]
- For example, if you're applying for a job as a veterinary technician, you would definitely want to include information about volunteering at your local animal shelter, zoo, or nature center.
- If you have the space, you can leave in significant volunteer work even if it doesn't directly relate to the job you're applying for. This is a good idea if you've researched the employer and know they support particular causes related to your volunteer work.
Remove references unless required by the potential employer. A potential employer may ask you for references, but they generally aren't necessary on a resume. Cutting them out can buy you a few lines. There's also no need to include a sentence that says "references available upon request."^[5]
- If an employer does require references, you can often include them on a separate piece of paper, rather than including them on your resume.
Include hobbies and interests only if they're relevant to the job. The section on hobbies and interests in any resume is typically fluff that can easily be removed if you're trying to cut your resume down to one page. However, if they relate directly to the job you're applying for, it's a good idea to keep them in.^[6]
- For example, if you play a sport in a community amateur league, you might want to keep that information on your resume if you're applying for a job as a sports writer.
- If you really need the space, you might include them as a line under your work experience section. Change the section heading to "Experience" rather than "Work Experience."
- Through your research, you may have discovered that you and the hiring manager have various hobbies or interests in common. In that situation, it's tempting to leave them on your resume. However, it's better to save them for the interview when you can strike up a conversation about your mutual interests.
Trim your "Education" section to relate specifically to the job. It may be that you've earned a degree or certificate that is entirely unrelated to the job you're applying for. If that's the case, simply list the degree and the school, but don't include any additional detail.^[7]
- If the degree isn't required for the job, you can leave it off entirely. For example, if the job listing states that a bachelor's degree is required, you would need to include your bachelor's degree on your resume even if it was in a field of study unrelated to the job. However, if you had a higher degree, you could safely leave the bachelor's degree off to save some space.
- If you have a bachelor's degree, you don't need to include your high school education. The potential employer will realize that you have a high school diploma if you have a bachelor's degree. However, you may want to leave it on if you went to an elite high school and you learned through research that the hiring manager graduated from the same school.

EditEditing Your Content

Delete the "Career Objective" section entirely. Standard resumes often have a "goal" or "career objective" section at the top. However, there's really no point in having this section. If you're applying for a job, it's clear what your goal is.^[8]
- Depending on the length of this section, removing it could give you an extra 3 to 5 lines that you can use for valuable content that sells your experience and value to the potential employer.
Make descriptions as specific as possible. For each work-related experience you've had, you likely have several lines describing your duties and accomplishments in that position. Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, state specifically how you implemented that duty or responsibility. This gives potential employers information about your soft skills.^[9]
- For example, suppose in one of your previous jobs you created a training course called "Negotiation Tactics." You're now applying for a new position that requires extensive negotiation, and you want to highlight your expertise in that area as well as your leadership skills. You could write: Created "Negotiation Tactics" course; 10 sales executives increased sales by 25%.
- Specific numbers draw the eye as a potential employer scans your resume and don't take up a lot of space. For example, "Drafted 24 trial briefs" gives your potential employer far more information than simply saying that you drafted documents for senior attorneys. If you round or estimate, include a word such as "around" or "about" so the potential employer doesn't get the impression you're using an exact figure.
Remove redundant language and consolidate bullet points. Have each bullet point under experience or education items relate to a single skill or responsibility. If you see several bullet points that all relate to the same thing, keep only the most important ones and consolidate them into one bullet point.^[10]
- For example, if you have a retail sales position listed on your resume, you might have a bullet point for responsibilities related to customer service and another for sales goals. If you had managerial responsibilities, you would likely have a third bullet point discussing your performance as a manager.
- Read your bullet points aloud and note where you repeat words. For example, "Designed customer service training program to train coworkers to provide better customer service" could be shortened to simply "Designed customer service training program; satisfaction rating increased 18%."
Avoid personal pronouns, articles, and most conjunctions. Writing in complete sentences takes up a lot of space and is generally unnecessary in a resume. Save your complete sentences for your cover letter. Use brief phrases separated by semi-colons.^[11]
- Start bullet points with an action verb. Then, write a brief description of your action or responsibility. Place a semi-colon after that phrase, then include a brief description of the outcome of that action. For example, instead of writing "developed and implemented an email campaign that increased sales by 10% in 1 month," you could write "developed/implemented email campaign; increased sales 10% in 1 month."
- You can often use punctuation instead of conjunctions, which will cut a few characters. For example, instead of writing "designed and conducted training program" you can write "designed/conducted training program."
Use industry-standard abbreviations where appropriate. If an abbreviation is commonly used in your industry, there's no need to spell it out. If you're familiar with it, chances are a hiring manager will be too. Additionally, it will make your resume easier to read because abbreviations stand out.^[12]
- For example, instead of talking about "point-of-sale transactions," you can use "POS transactions." The potential employer will likely understand what this abbreviation means, particularly if you're applying for a job in the retail sector.
- At the same time, avoid filling your resume with a lot of industry jargon that has a loose meaning. It can make you look as though you aren't actually that knowledgeable and are simply throwing together industry buzzwords.
Cut adjectives and adverbs from your descriptions. Adjectives and adverbs generally indicate subjective information, and you want your resume to be as objective as possible. Instead of using adjectives and adverbs, try to find a way to demonstrate that thing with a brief description of the outcome of your action.^[13]
- For example, instead of writing "Successfully trained 10 employees on new computer system," you might write "Implemented training program; increased productivity by 38%."

EditAdjusting Your Formatting

Decrease your font size to no less than 10-point. The default font size for most word processing applications is 12-point. If you've edited the content of your resume as much as possible and you still need to cut some space, consider lowering the font size to 10.5 or even 10. Avoid going any smaller than that, however, because it will make your resume hard to read.^[14]
- Make all the text in your resume the same size, rather than having the names of employers or schools larger than the rest of the text.
- If the labels or headings for the sections of your resume are larger than the rest of your text, you can also experiment with making them smaller. Try making them the same size as everything else.
Tighten up the line spacing. A good resume uses white space to break up text and allow for easy scanning. However, too much white space can push your resume over one page. You can adjust the line spacing in the text formatting menu on your word processing app.^[15]
- Decrease line spacing by the smallest increment possible. Make sure your words don't overlap and can still be read. You may want to print out your resume and see how it looks.
Cut your margins in half. Most word processing apps default to margins all the way around. However, you can typically get away with decreasing those margins to give more room for the text. Test your document by printing it before you send it to the potential employer to make sure it prints okay.^[16]
- Particularly if you're emailing your resume, there's a good chance your resume will never be printed on paper. However, you still want to make sure it's printable if necessary.
Experiment with multiple columns. Your word processing app defaults to a single column. However, it's possible to create 2 or even 3 columns on a document. If you're finding it difficult to get your resume down to a page, you may be able to use a 2 column or 3 column layout to get more information on the page.^[17]
- If you want to use multiple columns, you're better off starting a new document rather than simply converting the document you have. You'll have an easier time arranging your information correctly.

EditVideo

EditTips

Once you've finalized your resume, convert it to a PDF to preserve your formatting. That way, you can email it to the potential employer without worrying about your formatting getting ruined. Include your full name in the filename for the PDF.

EditReferences

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How to Make Skate Wax

Posted: 04 May 2019 09:00 AM PDT

Many skaters rely on quality skate wax to easily pull off grinds and other tricks. Ordering from a skate shop gets costly, but you can make your own wax at home for a fraction of the price. Make a basic wax by melting candles or crayons in the oven, or do it on a stove to keep a closer eye on the quality. As you get used to the process, try using raw paraffin and beeswax for even better bars. Bust tricks instead of your wallet with your own style of skate wax.

EditSteps

EditMelting Wax in an Oven

Preheat an oven to about . Let the oven warm up for at least 5 minutes while you prepare the wax. Wax has a low melting point, so keep the temperature low to avoid burning it. If your oven doesn't have a lot of low-heat options, use the lowest setting available.
- Different types of wax melt at different temperatures, but you never need a lot of heat. At most, set the oven no higher than .
Cut candles or crayons into small pieces. Try using some leftover tea lights or a pack of crayons you no longer need. Slice them up to roughly the same size. Also, pull out any wrappers or wicks as you come upon them.^[1]
- The exact size you cut the wax to isn't that important, but keep in mind that smaller chunks are easier to work with and melt faster.
- The best candles to use for your skate wax are ones made out of paraffin, although any type of waxy, oily product tends to work.
Place the cut wax into an oven-safe bowl. Cake baking bowls are the perfect size if you have them. Make sure the bowl is big enough to hold all of the melted wax. If you're making a lot of skate wax all at once, put some of the wax in a second container to prevent it from spilling.^[2]
- If you're uncertain about using a bowl, flip it over to check it for an oven-safe label first.
- You could also melt wax in a microwave. Some metal containers are not safe for use in the microwave, so look for a safety warning on the container to avoid a scorched mess.
Pour about of cooking oil in with the wax. Vegetable oils like canola oil work well in skate wax. The oil makes your skate wax smooth and easy to scrub on your board. You don't need much of it, but make sure you have room for it in the container.^[3]
- Less is more when using the oil. If you add too much, you end up with a soft and brittle wax.
Melt the wax for about 10 minutes in the oven. The wax likely will begin melting right away, so keep an eye on it. When it melts, take the container right away to prevent it from overheating. Consider giving the wax a brief stir to ensure the oil mixes evenly with it.^[4]
Put the bowl in the refrigerator to cool overnight. The wax gets pretty hot in the oven, so consider setting the bowl aside for 5 minutes to let it cool a little. Then, leave it uncovered in your refrigerator. Wait for the wax to feel cool and completely solid to the touch.^[5]
- If you take the wax out too early, it can fall apart. You won't be able to use it, so the extra wait is worth it.
Pry the hardened wax out of the container with a knife. Once your wax chills, it's ready to be used on your skateboard. Flip the bowl over and try to pop the wax out with your fingers. Sometimes the solidified bar is a little stubborn, so wedge it out with a knife as needed.
- Another way to remove the wax is by cutting into it with a sharp knife. You could also heat the container a little, such as in the microwave, to melt the edges of the wax.

EditMixing Wax on a Stove

Choose some small candles to use for the skate wax. Paraffin tea lights are a great choice for making your own skate wax. You can also cut up crayons and other types of candles. Get about 2 or 3 candles, usually enough to make a single bar of skate wax.^[6]
- Get additional candles or crayons if you plan on making more bars. Keep in mind that making lots of skate wax on a stove is tough, so you may need to make one bar at a time.
- Crayons and colored candles are useful for coloring your wax bars. You can mix them in with basic white candles. Mixing and matching is okay.
Cut wax pieces into a metal container. Cut them up roughly with a small knife, removing any wicks or wrappers as you reach them. As you work, drop the wax into an empty container, such as an aluminum soup can or soda can. You could also use a heat-resistant bowl safe for use on a stove.^[7]
- To cut the candles into pieces that melt quickly, try scraping the wax with a knife. Hold the candle in one hand and drag the knife across it. Move the blade away from your body so you don't cut yourself instead.
- If you're using a soda can, cut it in half. Poke holes in the center first so you have a place to fit a pair of scissors. Then, use the scissors to remove the top half of the can.
Fill a saucepan with about of water. Choose a cooking pan that is big enough to hold the metal container you're using. After you add the water, move the container to test your setup. The container needs to stay standing in the pan so the wax doesn't spill out.^[8]
- The water temperature doesn't matter, but warmer water boils a little faster if you're looking to melt the wax as quickly as possible.
Melt the wax over medium heat after placing the container on the pan. Watch for the wax to begin melting within a few minutes after the water heats up. To get it to melt faster, find something to stir it with. Try using a plastic stirrer like a spatula or chopstick you can easily clean off or throw away when you're done.^[9]
- Stir carefully! Make sure the wax doesn't splash into the water. Anything in the water is unusable and might even burn when the water begins to boil.
Add about of butter to the wax. As soon as the wax melts, scoop out a small pat of butter with a knife or a measuring spoon. You need about 2 teaspoons for a single bar of skate wax. The butter softens up the finished wax so it's easier to rub on your board. Stir it around in the wax until it finishes melting.^[10]
- Some people use alternatives in their skate wax. Soap is a decent replacement, even products like deodorant work.
- Use butter as sparingly as possible. Too much butter makes the skate wax way too soft to use on your board.
Stir about of cooking oil into the mixture. The final ingredient you need is whatever cooking oil you have on hand. Vegetable oils like canola oil are perfect for skate wax and you probably have some in your home. Pour the oil into the wax mixture, stir it around for a minute, and let it heat through for 2 or 3 minutes.^[11]
- This part can get a little dangerous. The water in the pan is probably boiling ferociously at this point. Watch out for oil spatter and consider covering your hands to avoid burns.
- Adjust the amount of oil used as needed to change the skate wax's consistency. Normally, using less oil is better so the finished bar isn't too soft.
Pour the wax into refrigerator-safe containers or molds. Steel yourself for the trickiest part where you have to handle hot wax. Get your containers set up before you take the can off the stove. When you're ready, pick it up with potholders, then gradually fill the containers one at a time.^[12]
- Some examples of containers to use include rubber ice cube molds, aluminium cupcake wrappers, heat-resistant bowls, and even empty deodorant or glue stick containers.
- Keep the wax away from any drains in your home. If the wax goes down the drain, you might end up with a big plumbing emergency.
Chill the wax in the refrigerator overnight. Keep your potholders at the ready as you carefully move the containers to your refrigerator. Clear out space for them first before picking them up. After fitting them in the refrigerator, check back in the morning to see your finished skate wax.
- Make sure the wax solidifies completely before you pry it out of the molds. Leave it alone for as long as a day to ensure it comes out at the right consistency.

EditUsing Paraffin Wax Bars

Choose pure paraffin and beeswax to make better skate wax. Most homemade bars of skate wax are made with repurposed candles or crayons. A paraffin and beeswax mixture is closer in quality to what you find at skate shops. You need a single bar of 100% paraffin wax as well as a bar of beeswax. If you're planning on making a lot of skate wax at once, get more.^[13]
- You can buy good paraffin and beeswax online, but also check hardware stores and craft supply stores in your area. These places may also carry the coloring wax you can use to customize your bars.
Add the paraffin and beeswax to a metal pot. Get a big, metal cooking pot to fit on your stove or an electric burner. You could also try melting the ingredients together in the oven or microwave, but it's easier to do on the stove. Then, drop both bars of paraffin and beeswax into the pot. You don't have to cut them up, although breaking them up makes them melt faster.^[14]
- For the perfect skate wax, try making your mixture 60% paraffin to 40% beeswax. If you purchased bars of both ingredients, using the whole bars is fine.
- The beeswax softens the finished bar of skate wax, so don't add more beeswax than paraffin. The paraffin is the main component that gives skate wax its shape.
Melt the ingredients together over medium heat. Wait for the pot to heat up. Once the wax begins to turn into a liquid, stir it around using a wooden spoon. Keep stirring the paraffin and beeswax until they are melted and well-mixed.^[15]
Add candle dye if you wish to color your skate wax. For the highest quality skate wax possible, purchase 100% natural wax dyes. The dyes look like small pellets of wax. They look and act the same way as the paraffin you used. Toss them into the pot and stir them around as they melt.^[16]
- The color of the mixture changes as soon as the dye melts. To avoid darkening your skate wax more than you want, add the dye in small amounts, waiting for each batch to melt before adding more.
- There is no set amount for how much dye you need. It all depends on how you wish to customize your skate wax. You could even leave out the dye if you don't mind the brownish color from the beeswax.
Pour the wax into container or molds to shape into finished bars. Set up your containers on a table close to the pot. The wax is very hot, so put on gloves or potholders. If you're making a big batch of wax, consider scooping the wax out with a measuring cup to easily pour it into the molds. Then, fill each container completely as much as possible.^[17]
- Cupcake wrappers are great for creating small puck-shaped bars of skate wax, but you can use many other types of containers. For instance, ice cube molds work well, but so do heat-resistant containers and even metal cans.
Leave the wax in the refrigerator overnight until it solidifies. Chill the wax until it forms a solid bar you can easily remove from its container. The exact length of time this takes depends on the size of the bar you plan on making, among other factors. Larger bars of skate wax can take up to a day to set, so give the wax some extra time in the refrigerator if you need to.
- Be careful when moving the hot wax to the refrigerator. Cover your hands and move slowly. If you have a lot of wax to move, let the molds cool down a little bit first, or leave them out until the wax solidifies.

EditTips

Anything with paraffin in it can be used to create custom skate wax. This includes products like petroleum jelly and store-bought lubricants.
Use different molds to alter the shape and size of your skate wax bars. The amount you pour into a mold also determines how the finished product looks.
If you want to color your skate wax, melt colored candles, crayons, or candle dye. Food dye doesn't go well with wax, so don't bother with it.

EditWarnings

Making skate wax involves a lot of heat and melting and boiling things, so burns are possible if you're not careful. Cover up with long-sleeved clothing and latex gloves or potholders to reduce the chances of accidents.