Resume Writing Tips

nicoleac

Resume Writing Tips  

Should my resume exceed one page?

It's not recommended that your resume exceed one page, but if it does, it should be trimmed down to include only the most relevant points you want to make.   Also, decreasing your margins will give you more space on the first page so that you don't run over to a second or third page.   Some other suggestions:   don't list all of your interests, hobbies, etc. if it doesn't apply to the position you're interested in; make sure you haven't been redundant in listing your responsibilities.

What email addresses are acceptable to list on my resume?

We all have personal email addresses, and some of them are a bit racier than others.   Email accounts can be setup for free with Yahoo, Hotmail, and others.   Get an account name that is a combination of your first and last name for utmost professionalism.   It says something about your professionalism when a client receives your resume from an account like hotstuff@xyz.com.

What format should I use on my resume?

Your resume format should be written in easy to read font - Times New Roman is most commonly used.   The characters should be set at 11 or 12 point.   Your resume should be in chronological order with the most recent employment history listed on top.   It should include the name of the organization, your title, dates of employment, and a list of responsibilities.   Never print your resume on colored paper or use colored font as it only makes it more difficult to read and may not present as well.

Should I list my responsibilities in bulleted or paragraph format?

This is a tricky one.   The answer is, it really depends.   If you can spare the room, listing by bullet points is the best option because it is the easiest to read.   Remember that employers are generally looking at dozens sometimes hundreds of resumes each day and they really need to be able to understand your background in a matter of minutes.   You should make an effort to always draw parallels between your experience and the requirements of the position you're applying to.

How can I be sure that my resume will attract the employer?

Be sure to use key words that employers may be searching for specifically such as product names. Most employers are likely to enter your resume in their database and pull it up again during a search as more positions become available.   Also use descriptive and POWER words throughout your resume so that it comes across as strong and professional.  

Examples of power words:


Accelerate

Accomplish

Achieve


Acquire

Administer

Advise


Analyze

Appraise

Arrange


Assist

Audit

Augment


Author

Budget

Build


Calculate

Catalogue

Coach


Compare

Compile

Complete


Compose

Conceive

Conceptualize


Conduct

Consolidate

Construct


Consult

Control

Convert


Convince

Coordinate

Correspond


Counsel

Create

Cultivate


Delegate

Deliver

Determine


Develop

Devise

Dispatch


Distribute

Document

Designate


Design

Diagnose

Direct


Demonstrate

Empower

Engineer


Elicit

Establish

Estimate


Enhance

Examine

Exceed


Evaluate

Expand

Explain


Execute

Gather

Generate


Formulate

Head

Hire


Guide

Implement

Improve


Identify

Influence

Initiate


Increase

Inspect

Install


Innovate

Instruct

Interpret


Institute

Maintain

Manage


Lead

Mediate

Modify


Manufacture

Motivate

Negotiate


Monitor

Operate

Order


Obtain

Overhaul

Patent


Organize

Persuade

Perform


Plan

Prepare

Present


Preside

Process

Produce


Proficient

Program

Promote


Propose

Provide

Purchase


Quantify

Qualify

Recognize


Recommend

Reconcile

Refer


Regulate

Reorganize

Repair


Replace

Report

Represent


Rescue

Research

Restore


Review

Revise

Schedule


Screen

Select

Serve


Simplify

Solve

Steer


Streamline

Study

Suggest


Supervise

Supply

Systemize


Teach

Test

Trace


Track

Train

Transcribe


Translate

Update

Utilize


When writing your resume, remember the Top 10 qualities that employers seek are:

Communication skills (verbal and written)
Honesty/integrity
Teamwork skills (works well with others)
Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
Motivation/initiative
Strong work ethic
Analytical skills
Flexibility/adaptability
Computer skills
Organizational skills

Is it enough if I use the Auto Spell Check on my resume?

No.   You should always proofread your resume since Spell Check will not catch errors on all capped words and words that are misused.   For example, Spell Check does not know if you've misused the words "they're", "their", or "there".

Should I use past or present tense throughout my resume?

It's recommended that you used present tense for a current position and past tense for all previous positions.

Should I write an objective on my resume?

Absolutely.   This will let the employer know that you know what you want and are goal oriented.   Be specific and tailor your objective to the job you're applying to.

Should I include a cover letter with my resume?

Yes.   A cover letter can't hurt - even though not everybody reads it.   However, for those employers who do read a cover letter, it could make the difference between getting them to call your or not.   A cover letter should always indicate which position you're applying to, a brief summary of your background, and most importantly, why you're a good fit for the position.