Double Check Your Résumé Using These Tips

• Contact Information – You’d be surprised how many résumés we’ve seen without a name! Include your phone number(s), email and LinkedIn URL (if it is professional and up to date).

• Professional Email Address – It is best practice to use a personal, appropriate email address rather than your current employer. If you do not have one, create an appropriate and professional address. HotBabe@gmail.com is not appropriate.

• Attentive communication – It is best to check your email regularly (and junk mail, just in case). You can also have your email visible on your mobile phone.

• Employment History – Include your employment history with employer name, job title, and years you have spent in that position. Begin with your most recent employment.

• List Key Responsibilities and Accomplishments in an easy-to-read bulleted list rather than paragraph form.

• Education – Include undergraduate and advanced degrees and refrain from using abbreviations for college and university names. Many colleges and universities have the same abreviations.

• Include relevant certifications. If you use acronyms, also spell out the certification. The hiring manager may not be familiar with a particular credential.

• Training, Languages, Special Skills – If you’re fluent in another language, it’s appropriate to list that on your résumé. If you have technical skills and /or unique knowledge, a brief list is good, but you don’t have to list every single software program you’ve ever used if not relevant to the job. List only if meaningful to the specific job. If it’s in the job description, list it.

• Be Truthful – According to a CareerBuilder survey, 77% of human resources managers reported discovering misleading information.

• Clean & Simple Formatting – Keep formatting simple.
  • Use an easy-to-read font such as Calibri or Arial in 11 point type. Refrain from using “fancy fonts”.
  • Do not use all caps throughout your résumé. A combination of Upper and Lower Case are easier to read.
  • Do not include images or icons unless directed to do so by the organization for which you are applying.
  • Use black type.
  • Avoid graphics. Many larger companies and search firms use computer software to scan and parse résumés and the information populates their database.
  • Leave white space for a clean, easy to read document. Using every space gives a cluttered appearance. There are many examples of résumés on the web. Look for examples that are appealing.

• Limit Photos – If including photos, limit them to a professional headshot and/or photos of projects relevant to the job. Never include casual or lifestyle photos unless you are asked to do so.

• Check Spelling – Always use spell check. Have someone proof your résumé for two important reasons: to avoid grammatical and spelling errors; applicant tracking systems do not recognize misspellings and grammatical errors.

• Cover Letter – Include a cover letter unless asked not to. Your cover letter should be succinct and should simply focus on who you are and why you feel that you’re a good fit for the job. It’s a simple introduction that should pack a punch. Less is more.

• Save in .pdf. Name your document using your last name in the title. For example, ‘Smith, John Resume’ instead of ‘John’s Resume’.

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