Most likely the appropriate paper size will be set as default in whichever program you use. The two most likely paper sizes are 8.5” by 11” used in North America and A4 used in most of Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America. If you are applying for a job outside of your country, it is important to verify which paper size in standard. If you are using Microsoft Word you can change your paper size under the “Page Layout” tab. Next, you must set your margins. Your margin default may be set to 1”, but you can reduce this size to as little as .25”. When choosing margins smaller than 1”, it is important to be sure all information will be printed on the page. Simple and easily readable fonts are a good choice for a resume. The most recommended fonts to choose from are Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman or Verdana. Once you have chosen your font, you must keep it the same throughout your resume. It is also important to choose a font size that is not too small to read or too big and takes up unnecessary space. Try to choose a font size that is between 10 and 12 point (pt) for the main parts of your resume and 14 or 16 pt for your name and resume title. Using different font sizes to distinguish titles and headings will help the reader recognize the different parts of your resume. For example the heading “Education” can be 1 to 2 pts larger than the information provided under that heading. While still under the “Page Layout” tab, you can adjust your spacing throughout your resume by selecting a section of your resume and adjusting the “Before” and “After” spacing. Try to set the spacing between lines in the same paragraph or between bullet points to single or 0 pt but no more than 1.5. For spacing between sections or headings, it is recommended to stay between 4 and 8 pt so the section breaks and headings are easily noticeable. When defining your sections and headers, placing a boarder in that area will further help each section stand out. Borders can be chosen to go either above, below or around the heading (whichever you feel looks best). There are also multiple styles, colors, and thickness of lines to choose from. Feel free to try a few out before committing. Remember to use the same border throughout your resume. It is important to add page numbers to your resume so the recruiter or hiring manager knows they are looking at the full document. Since you will have a header on top of the page with your personal information, the page number will stand out well in a footer section. There are various ways to note the page number and you can feel free to choose one that fits your personal preferences. However, it is recommended that you specify how many pages there are total, for instance “Page 1 of 3”.

Summary: Choose appropriate paper size. Format your margins. Select your font and font size. Set spacing. Choose a border to break up sections. Add page numbers if your resume is longer than one page.


For most careers, most if not all of your portfolio contents will be standard, letter-sized paper. However, for some fields you may want to include over-size or digital media in your portfolio.  Your portfolio can include anything portable. Larger documents can also be folded to fit in the confines of your binder. If you are in the technology field, you can create a CD of your work to include in your portfolio. Physical portfolios typically look neatest in a 3-ring binder. Get a set of tabs to help organize the sections of your portfolio. You may need other inserts, depending on what you've decided to include.  For example, if you have a career in tech and have included a CD, you can get CD holders that fit in 3-ring binders to easily secure your work. You can find the supplies you need online, at office supply stores, and even at discount stores. Generally, you'll find everything you need anywhere office or school supplies are sold. Your title page should have basic information about you, including your name and contact information. Your table of contents sets out the sections of your portfolio and the types of documents included in each section, for quick reference. You can buy sets of tabs with a built-in table of contents page that coordinates the name of each section to the tab behind which that section falls. Your categories may differ somewhat depending on your skills and career field. Generally, however, the easiest way to organize your portfolio is to think about how a typical job interview would go.  For example, most interviewers start off the interview with a question along the lines of "Tell me a little about yourself." Make this question easy by making "About Me" the first section in your portfolio. Include your résumé, information about hobbies and interests, and personal skills such as languages you speak. You can also include reference letters in this section, or you can create another section for them. You may also have separate sections for education, employment, and leadership or community involvement. Inserts with tabs on the outside allow you to quickly jump to the section you need without having to thumb through the pages. They can also protect the pages in your portfolio from too much damage.  Colored tabs with a table of contents typically don't have anything written on the tab itself. Instead, you'll use the table of contents to navigate through the sections. You may also have tabs with inserts where you would write the title of each section. If you use this type of tab, pick a set where you can type the names of the sections on a computer and feed the inserts through a printer. These sets have instructions for formatting your word processing app to print the tabs correctly. Before you put a document in your portfolio, check it several times to ensure it is free of grammar and spelling errors. You might also have someone else look over it to pick up anything you might have missed. Your portfolio should present your best image. A glaring error on any page of your portfolio sends the wrong message to potential employers, and all your hard work may backfire.

Summary: Look at the types of material you want to include. Buy a 3-ring binder or presentation binder and supplies. Start with a title page and table of contents. Categorize your portfolio contents. Create tabs for each of your different sections. Proofread all portfolio documents carefully.


Type “Drawing courses” into Google, and look for an interesting course. Search for things like, "drawing course for beginner" and "advanced online drawing course." You will find some drawing courses by accredited programs, online college courses, and stand-alone courses taught by professionals. Courses can cost anywhere from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars, so be mindful of your budget as you select a course.  Look for courses in your budget that seem helpful and informative. Watch a course preview if available. This will give you an overview of what the source has to offer. When you find a course that interests you, check to see if there are any ratings and reviews written from previous students. Look for when the course was last updated and how many students have enrolled in total. Read the instructor biography if available.  You can also scroll through the course to get an idea of what it will cover. Some websites will have a Frequently Asked Questions section which can be helpful when deciding what course to take. Keep an eye out for scammers! While there are a ton of great online sources, sometimes you will find sites trying to trick you. Do a search on the particular course you've found to make sure it is legitimate. Some courses will offer videos, downloadable PDFs, and step-by-step options. Other courses will offer live video classes in real time. Choose a method that works for you, and get drawing!  If you prefer going at your own pace, try the step-by-step option. If you like to see how something is done before you try it yourself, video tutorials will work well for you. If you need a bit more assistance, try taking a course with live instruction to get more personal lessons. After you've selected your course, review the required materials detailed on the course information page. The instructions will let you know if you need any particular pencils or erasers, or additional supplies like a ruler or compass. Beginner courses likely will have you use pencils, paper, and erasers. More advanced courses will list other materials like charcoal or pen and ink.
Summary: Search for paid drawing courses based on your skill level and interests. Review the different kinds of online drawing courses. Choose quality courses by reviewing the course and reading reviews. Select your course format to get started. Gather the materials outlined by the course.