A resume is a first impression, so you want it to stand out. You have about 15 seconds to jump to the top of the pile or yours will find its way to the trash. It’s not always easy to make your resume stand out from the rest and still show your qualifications, but luckily we are here to tell you the 3 do’s and don’ts of building your resume!
DO Talk Results
In the body of your resume, make sure to clearly state what you’ve achieved. If possible, use statistics to help support your points. Show the employer that you are an impact player and that you have a proven track record of success.
DON’T Hide Important Information
If you have won awards or are graduating Phi Beta Kappa, make it easy for the employer to find that information! Even if the template of your resume has a spot for your Honors and Awards at the very bottom, move it up! Don’t let the employer miss out on the most pertinent information.
DO Make It A Quick Read
The employer is most likely going to quickly skim your resume. If the document is all text and not broken up into easy to read categories, they won’t know where to start and will probably move on to the next one. Leave white space on your page and use bold key titles to help them easily navigate through your resume.
DON’T Be Bland
Even though it’s a resume, it doesn’t have to be boring! You have one shot to sell yourself, so make it count. The way your resume looks and appeals to the eye counts just as much as your qualifications. If you simply plaster some words on a white page, it’s going to look like 100 other resumes they will receive right along with yours. Produce the most professional, yet eye-appealing resume you can!
DO Use Action Words
Word choice is key when writing your resume. If you use weak words, your resume won’t impress anyone. But, if you use strong action words, such as “Grew,” “Built,” “Drove,” “Coordinated,” or “Produced,” you will quickly grab and keep their attention.
DON’T Have Typos
You would think this is an obvious tip, but you would be surprised how many typos I have seen in a set of resumes. The key to fixing this is to proofread. Proofread, proofread, proofread. After you did that, have someone else proofread your resume. Typos are a sign of sloppiness and no employer wants that.
These are just some of the aspects of a resume that employers will look for. Remember, you know yourself best, so paint them a picture of your true, hardworking self!
