Pick a clean, professional template that highlights technical work and projects. Use a reverse-chronological layout so hiring managers see your latest lighting designs first.
Keep your resume short and focused. One page fits entry and mid-level Illuminating Engineer roles. Use two pages only if you have long, highly relevant project history.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text at 10–12pt and headers at 14–16pt for clear hierarchy.
Give each section enough white space. Use 0.5–0.75 inch margins and 1.0–1.15 line spacing so reviewers can scan easily.
Use simple formatting instead of graphics or complex columns. Plain text sections parse better for ATS and look cleaner for engineers.
Label sections with standard headings like "Summary," "Experience," "Projects," "Education," and "Skills." Put technical competencies and lighting software near the top.
Avoid big blocks of text. Use short bullet points that start with strong verbs and include metrics, like lumen targets or energy savings.
Common mistakes include columns that break ATS parsing, dense paragraphs, and nonstandard fonts. Also avoid heavy color and tiny margins.
Proof sections for consistent date formats and clear role titles. Use consistent verb tense—present tense for current roles and past tense for past roles.
Finally, tailor a short summary to the job. Mention lighting design standards, photometric tools, and any code compliance experience that fits the role.