I’m going to take a guess and say that if you’re reading this article, then you’re on the hunt for a job. We don’t blame you; after all, who doesn’t want to bag their dream job, right? Well, having a well-written and carefully crafted resume can bring you one step closer.
That said, not everyone out there knows how to make a good resume to help them get that dream job. It turns out, there’s a right and wrong way to do it. To start, you can check out over 7200+ resume samples to help you get a better idea of what to do. To further help you, we’re going to take a look at some of the things you should and should not do on a resume.
The Do’s of Writing a Resume
It can be quite nerve-wracking to write a resume, right? We get you, which is why we’ve highlighted some of the best things to do when writing a resume.
Customization
The biggest mistake people make when they write a resume is to send the same exact one to every recruiter. Come on, that’s just lazy; you don’t want to seem like you apply for the job just for the sake of it.
But the question remains, what exactly should you do? Well, you should try to focus on how you can customize your resume better. For example, try to change it up for each job you apply to. We’re not asking you to make any major changes here, just a few simple tweaks to show you actually care about the job.
Start Strong
The truth is that the recruiter or HR rep actively judges your resume within reading the first few lines of it. Is that a bit unfair? Perhaps a little, but you can keep this information in mind and try to use it to your advantage.
Try to grab the recruiter’s attention right away with the perfect introduction, just keep it concise, okay? You don’t want it to drag on.
Clean and Professional Formatting
Try to keep your creativity in check when it comes to a resume, and make sure that the formatting is clean and neat. The resume as a whole should be pleasing to the eyes of the recruiter. You should also try to maintain a consistent font style and size throughout.
Proofread it Thoroughly
I know you’re in a hurry to get a good job, I get it—but don’t just send the resume right away after you‘ve made it. Proofread your resume first and see if there are any mistakes you made and fix them as you come across them. After all, it’s never a good look when the recruiter finds grammatical mistakes on the resume.
The Don’ts of Writing a Resume
Just like there are certain rules you should follow, there are also a few no-nos that you should keep in mind when writing a resume.
No Exaggeration
We know how much candidates love to brag, and you should, too. We get it; you’ve got all these great skills and qualifications to show off. That said, try to keep it professional when writing your resume.
Keep it Concise
It’s not an essay-writing competition, people! Keep it short, and only include relevant information you think the recruiter might care to know about. Also, don’t make the resume more than two pages in total length. After all, who wants to go through page after page in a resume?
Don’t Use Abbreviations Without An Explanation
You might have had a very technical job before your current job search, or maybe there were certain abbreviations used in the company that you may write about on the resume.
Whatever the case, don’t just use abbreviations randomly in your resume. If you do, take the time to make sure to carefully explain what they mean at least once in your resume. If you don’t do that, you’ll just confuse the employer in the end.
Avoid Unnecessary Personal Information
Keep the resume strictly about your overall skills and total work experience. Sure, you could add the languages you know and some of your hobbies if they’re potentially relevant to the position. Just, do not add your sensitive information such as age, marital status, or social security number. Nobody asks for these on your resume, and they might even lead to bias.
Win The Job With The Right Resume
Writing a good resume isn’t exactly hard; it just takes having the right information in mind when you’re crafting it. Sure, you have to follow some important rules and keep some key tips in mind—just make the resume fit the job and keep it neat.
At the end of the day, your skills and qualifications will speak volumes for you anyway. Also, don’t forget to check for mistakes and be honest throughout. Good luck on your job hunt and greater career journey!
