Do’s
- Do double-check your contact information. You won’t get called back if they can’t get in touch with you.
- Do focus on your accomplishments and quantify them if possible to show what kind of value you can bring.
- Do customize and tailor each resume you send out to the position you are applying for.
- Do use powerful, action verbs.
- Do your best to make yourself look like the most suitable candidate. This is your time to brag, but avoid appearing arrogant and never lie.
- Do concentrate on your transferable skills from positions that otherwise might not be related to what you are applying for.
- Do consider having a professional write your resume. They know what employers are looking for.
Don’ts
- Don’t include unnecessary information that might hurt you, like why you left a past job. Let these topics come up in the interview.
- Don’t use a template – just like every person is different, so should every resume.
- Don’t use tables to format your resume, they can confuse ATS filters and get your resume thrown out before anyone even looks at it.
- Don’t make spelling or grammatical errors. Have multiple people proofread it.
- Don’t go over one page unless you have enough professional experience to back it up. Longer is not necessarily better.
- Don’t feel you need to include irrelevant work history if you already have plenty of relevant work history for the position you are applying to.
- Don’t include irrelevant information like your exact address (the city and state can be mentioned) or your school if you already have college experience.
- Don’t include any graphics or colours. Keep it simple and easy to read.