Do’s and Don’ts for a Professional Resume

A successful job hunt takes planning and professionalism. You need to have an eye-catching resume, cover letter, and engaging interview questions. With the proper approach and training, all of these are doable. However, the first impression usually comes from your resume. If the resume does not pique their interest, then chances are they will not even open that cover letter. In essence, your resume is the most critical thing in a job search. 

Putting together an outstanding resume is vital for securing your dream job. Let’s look at some Do’s and Don’ts as you put your resume together.

Do

• Figure out your objectives before you apply; tailor your resume for the position.
• List the most important, relevant items first. For example, you may decide to move your “Internships” and “Projects” sections above your “Customer Service Experience” section. Underneath each experience, you should also put the most important bullet points first.
• Within each section, you must list experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
• Qualify and quantify your experiences whenever possible. Include numbers and percentages when possible.
• Customize your resume to match a specific job description. Consider using buzzwords from the industry.
• Focus on positive results and accomplishments; highlight specific accomplishments rather than expand on every detail.
• Expand on professional, volunteer, research, and classroom experiences to show transferable skills.
• Proofread your work and a second pair of eyes is never a bad idea.

Don’t

• Make general claims (“Good communication skills”) without backing them up with examples.
• Mislead employers about your skills or abilities.
• Include long, generic objective statements. 
• Submit references on the same page as your resume. They should be kept in a separate document and provided when the employer asks for them.
• Don’t go over two pages; try to keep it to one page if possible.

There is a lot that goes into writing a good resume. Follow these tips, and you will find yourself ever closer to getting called in for that interview.