1. Error free resumes and cover letters are a must! Before you submit your resume, use your spell checker but don’t overlook the value of proofreading and even having somebody else look it over for you. A time-proven proofreading technique is to read sentences backwards. You will be amazed at how much easier it is to catch errors that way.
Even a single misspelled word or grammar error can knock your resume right into the “Reject” bin.
2. The resume must be the right length. Many experts think that a one-page resume is best and we agree that is true in most cases. However, when you go to an interview or if your career is a long one with many valuable experiences to relay to the potential employer, a longer resume may be in order.
The trick is to provide enough detail to give an accurate view of your career and what you can do but not so much you put the reader to sleep! Remember, your resume is not your life story!
3. Have an electronic version of your resume. A lot of formatting will get lost when resumes are posted online or sent via e-mail but not as an attachment. Basic, clean, simple formatting is required for e-resumes.
4. You must provide keywords! Many resumes are scanned before they are read. If the employer is looking for certain specific skills or credentials, the scanner must “see” them or you run the risk of your resume never even making it to anybody’s desk.
5. Don’t get hung up on the one “perfect” format! There is no such thing. The fact is that employers are individuals and people have different opinions about resume formats. Some prefer a chronological arrangement while other like a functional format. Many like a combination. The key idea is to use the format that best presents your career and sells your valuable experiences effectively.
6. It may seem obvious but make sure the reader can find your contact information! Put those phone numbers and e-mail addresses at the top – don’t bury them! By the way, employers do not usually like P.O. boxes. They prefer candidates with physical addresses.
7. This may also seem obvious but make sure your e-mail address is professional. We once had a client who used her social networking e-mail address – “seximama” - on her professional resume and wondered why she wasn’t getting any responses!
8. Label your resume file with your name instead of some obscure file code like “32209res.doc”. Use something like “JaneDoe – Resume.doc”. By the way, check your “properties” tab for the file, too and make sure the “author” and “date created” are what you want an employer to see.
9. Don’t get cute with the font. Remember that your resume is a form of business communications and while Times New Roman may be a little boring it is universally acceptable and easy to scan. Further, make the font size large enough so that it is easily read. Eleven or twelve point is best. Using teeny-tiny font 1-point so that you can cram more fascinating information on the page is not a good idea. If the employer has to use the zoom feature to read it, you can bet your resume is going into the “can”!
10. Always use clear, concise language to get your information across. You want to be thorough but brief. Use short phrases and succinct points rather than long sentences. Action verbs are very effective. Use professional vocabulary but avoid acronyms and jargon unless you believe them to be universally recognizable.
