The Do's and Don'ts of Resume Writing
DO:
-
Create a rough draft, then edit several times.
-
Emphasize headings using boldfacing, italicizing, etc.
-
Include some white space so your resumé is easier to read.
-
Leave a "resumé gap" if you were out of work due to unemployment, illness, etc. Explain this in a cover letter.
-
Include relevant volunteer experience.
-
Use active, descriptive language. Rather than "worked," "ran," and "managed," use "successfully created," "efficiently completed," "responsible for," etc.
-
Have a careful reader review it, and use your word processor's spelling and grammar checker.
-
Keep the length under 2 pages.(1 page for every 10 years of work experience)
-
Date the electronic filename of your resumé so that you can tell it apart from older and newer versions.
DON'T:
-
Include any of the Deadly Dozen: Height, weight, health, sex, marital status, number of children, religion, ethnic origin, age, photograph, reasons for leaving previous jobs, or salary history.
-
Use the words I, me, or my.
-
Use the heading "resumé" (it will be obvious that the document is a resume).
-
Overdo the boldfacing, italicizing, etc.
-
Use abbreviations (exceptions: GPA, Inc., states, educational degrees). Always spell it out!
- Put the date in your resumé.
