Resume Tips, Do's & Don'ts

Tips:

• Proofread! Get several individuals as well as an English professor or high-school English teacher to proofread.
• Look at what others are doing: ask friends and residents you encounter for a peek at their résumés. Ask if they might review yours. Be careful whom you ask, a résumé is a very personal item.
• Don't forget. Keep meticulous track of everything you do throughout high school and college/university.
• Keep in touch: Throughout high school and college, keep in touch with past teachers, people who helped get you into college and current teachers that take a liking to you. You never know when you may need their assistance.
• Be reachable. Include your email and fax numbers on your résumé.
• Find out what qualities & criteria each job requires, then emphasize those qualities in your résumé.
• Prioritizethe contents of your résumé. Emphasize your greatest achievements first.
• Customize. Tweak and target your résumé and cover letter for each position you apply for.
• Quality. Use a laser printer and a heavy bond paper.

Do:

• Sell yourself.
• Be concise. Don't use unnecessary words or descriptive terms.
• Make many drafts.
• Ask lots of different people to edit it. Don't forget grammar and spelling; spell-checks on the computer don't pick up everything.
• Make every word count.
• Vary words and sentence length.
• Make several drafts and have others critique them.
• Try to have generous borders.
• Spell out numbers under and including ten.
• Make it easy to read and follow. Be systematic, consistent, use appropriate white space, and use an easy-to-read font between 10 and 14 points. It should be balanced and not crowded.
• Pay attention to appearance. Use the same color and thickness of paper for the cover letter, envelope and curriculum vitae.
• Put your name at the top of page two and any further pages.
• Have a separate list of references available with up-to-date and complete information.
• Use active language. There are books and Internet sites that list great action words.
• Quantify results when possible. For example, if you received a grant for $300,000 or organized a conference or event for 500 people, say so. Be specific!
• Research companies. Check the Internet, bookstores, the library, and your university job placement department.
• Use white, off-white or other conservative colors.
• Get it laser printed.

Don't:

• Put the words "résumé" or "curriculum vitae" at the top of your document.
• Use gimmicks. Human resource departments and employers tend to be conservative.
• Lie. Lies have a way of coming back to you.
• Use photocopies or thin paper.
• Fold or staple. If you have to fold, never fold along a line of text.
• Be controversial or negative.
• Include ethnic, religious, or political affiliations unless they are significant.
• Ignore length or margin restrictions.
• Use abbreviations unless they are easy to figure out.
• Forget a cover letter if applying for a job.