Your resume is the first impression an employer will have of you – make it count! Here are some tips for writing a great resume..
DO
- Do proofread your resume carefully.
Grammatical errors, misspellings, and typos indicate a lack of attention to detail. - Do be specific about your accomplishments.
Employers don’t want a list of job duties, they want to know what you’ve accomplished in your activities. - Do be original.
Hiring managers view hundreds of resumes every day. If you want yours to stand out, don’t use the same format or template as everyone else. - Do omit irrelevant details.
Only include what is directly relevant to the job for which you are applying. - Do be gender specific.
If you have a gender-neutral name, you may want to indicate gender by using a title (Mr. or Ms).
DON’T
- Don’t overdo it.
Your resume should be no longer than a page-and-a-half. - Don’t use colored paper.
Many companies will photocopy your resume, and dark or textured paper does not reproduce well. Stick to white or cream-colored paper. - Don’t use clichés or buzzwords.
Employers encounter countless self-motivated team players. Terms like these have become generic and trite; remember that there is more than one way to describe your experience. - Don’t lie.
Moral implications aside, chances are you will eventually be found out and lose all credibility. - Don’t exclude your job objective.
Describing your career goals clearly and concisely shows that you are focused and have a sense of direction. - Don’t be overly specific in your job objective.
Including a specific job title may result in you not being considered for a number of positions for which you are qualified.