Pick a clean layout that highlights funding tasks and results. Use a reverse-chronological layout if you have steady funding or grant experience. Use a skills-first (hybrid) layout if you have gaps or lots of relevant tools and certifications.
Keep length tight. One page works for early and mid-career funding coordinators. Use two pages only if you have long, recent experience leading large grants or donor portfolios.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Body text should sit at 10–12pt and headers at 14–16pt. Keep consistent margins and 1.0–1.15 line spacing to give your content room to breathe.
Put clear section headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Grants & Awards, Skills, Education, Certifications. Use bullets for achievements and start each bullet with a strong verb.
Avoid heavy graphics, text boxes, or multiple columns. Those elements can break applicant tracking systems and make your contact info hard to find. Stick to simple bolding, italics, and lines to separate sections.
Common mistakes to watch for: crowded pages with tiny text, non-standard fonts, and inconsistent date formats. Don’t list vague duties. Quantify fundraising results, grant sizes, and donor retention when you can.
Use consistent verb tense. Use present tense for your current role and past tense for past roles. Proofread for alignment, spacing, and stray tabs before you submit.