The Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing

As a recruiting firm, we demonstrate the same level of care with potential candidates as we do the clients we serve.  One thing we see is that a thoughtfully prepared resume will set a candidate apart from others quickly!  This blog was written to help candidates better understand the “best practices” that they can implement so that they can posture themselves to rise above the crowd during a search. 

Here’s what we want you to know:

• Exaggeration has no place on a resume; only factual information should be included.

• Though it may seem like a no-brainer, many prospective employees forget to add important contact information to their resumes. Ideally, this section should include your name, email address, telephone number, general location (city), LinkedIn URL and possibly a personal website.

• When it comes to font choice, simplicity is key. Unless you’re extremely familiar with type design, too many fonts can quickly create a disjointed look that invites distraction.

• Ensuring all of your hard work and formatting for your resume is preserved is critical; thus, it’s important that the final version you submit be saved as a PDF.   A  “.doc” file will not guarantee that the correct formatting appears when the recruiter opens it.

• Making sure your resume stands out among the many in a recruiter’s inbox is key. A great way to accomplish this is by including resume bullets with quantifiable metrics that demonstrate success, like “Increased sales in by 200%”.

• Though merging multiple positions at one company may seem like an easy solution, you should really be pointing out your various job titles. This is because having been promoted or transitioning roles within a company reveals quite a bit about you.

• When transitioning to a different career path, an objective statement is necessary to emphasize the transferable skills you may have. However, when applying to a firm in the same field, an objective statement would only take up valuable space.

• Rather than fabricating a story to cover up gaps in employment, it’s far better to be honest and confident when explaining these times.

• Unfortunately, despite laws against it, discrimination based on age, marital status, gender, religion, race, color or national origin can occur without conscious awareness. To reduce the possibility of this happening during the recruitment process, be sure to exclude these types of facts from your resume.

• Finally, it is essential to tailor your resume to each position for which you are applying. Showcase your talents in a way that clearly indicates why you are an ideal selection for this particular opportunity. Doing so will help get past applicant tracking systems that screen out those who don’t fit all qualifications. By demonstrating that you have what it takes, a hiring manager can quickly discern that you are an exceptional candidate.

Your success truly depends on you and your attention to the details.  Your resume is an extension of you – make sure it reflects your achievements and your potential in all areas that may be part of a new employer’s (or recruiter’s) search criteria!