STARTING YOUR RESUME
Your resume should be a clear, informative summary of your abilities, education, and experience. It should highlight your strongest skills, and make you stand out from other candidates seeking similar positions.
Although your resume alone will not get you a job, a good resume is an important factor in obtaining an interview. Compose your resume to the type of position you are seeking. This does not mean that all your work experiences must relate directly, but your resume should reflect the types of skills the employer would value and that the job requires.
RESUME LANGUAGE SHOULD BE:
- Specific rather than general
- Active rather than passive
- Written to express not impress
- Fact-based (quantify and qualify)
- Written for people who scan quickly
TOP RESUME MISTAKES:
- Spelling and grammar errors
- Missing email and phone information
- Using passive language instead of “action” words
- Not well organized, concise, or easy to scan
- Does not represent results
- Too long
DO NOT:
- Use personal pronouns (like “I”)
- Abbreviate
- Use slang
- Include a picture
- Include age, gender, date of birth, date graduated from high school, or number of children
- List references
DO:
- Be consistent in format and content
- Make it easy to read and follow
- Use uniform spacing, underling, italics, bold and capitalization for emphasis
- List headings in order of importance (Experience should come first – an Objective Statement or Skill Summary can also be included after your contact information)
- Within each heading, list information in reverse chronological order (the most recent would be listed first)
- Avoid gaps in employment
- Be sure that your formatting can be converted to a .pdf document
A strong resume is not just a piece of paper; it is your personal marketing tool, a critical first impression that can open doors to new opportunities. In today’s competitive job market, taking the time to craft a clear, concise, and compelling resume is not just recommended—it is essential for standing out and landing that crucial interview. Make sure your resume effectively tells your unique story and showcases why you are the ideal candidate.
