Resume Do's and Don'ts

· Describe your accomplishments using strong, direct, active verbs like managed, designed, sold, saved, and developed. Make a really strong impression about the things you’ve achieved.

· Use keywords. Most résumé search engines are looking for keywords. Use them in your résumé, and you’ll have a better chance of appearing at the top of a search list.

· Write short paragraphs. This isn’t the time to be long-winded. Write paragraphs that are no longer than six or seven lines, or you’ll quickly lose a recruiter’s attention.

· Use correct grammar and spelling. Nothing ruins your chances of landing an interview faster than some sloppy grammar or wrong spelling on a résumé.  Check, double-check, and triple-check it…and then have someone else proofread it.

· Use a design that’s visually pleasing and easy to read. Use simple typefaces, and remember that certain programs can’t read special designs or bold typefaces. In other words, don’t bother putting in fancy tables, fonts, and bells and whistles. There’s a good chance they won’t display properly on someone else’s machine.

· Tailor your information to the job you’re seeking. Stand out from the random job-hunters and the one-size-fits-all résumé crowd.  Highlight your unique capabilities, awards, professional memberships, and any other information that relates to the position.

· Don’t use unclear or vague information. Use facts and measurable results (e.g., "Helped the company realize a 30% savings in 2002 through newly developed employee accountability policy.") to really open some eyes.

· Avoid wordiness and pronouns. Remember, it’s all about being concise and to-the-point. Make sure to also avoid "I" and "me" when stating your roles and accomplishments (e.g., "Received the 2002 Employee of the Month award.").

· Don’t cover up gaps in employment history. This will make a recruiter think you’re hiding something. Don’t worry, you’ll have a chance to explain any gap during the interview process.

· Don’t include information that doesn’t apply to the job you’re seeking. It’s great that you play drums, volunteer at a local shelter, and won a skateboarding championship last year. Just don’t mention them in your résumé.

· Don’t mention the reasons for leaving a prior job. You’ll get a chance to discuss them during the interview. But that doesn’t mean you should badmouth your old job or boss.