Resume Writing Tips – The Do’s and Don’ts

by Donny Grover

Resume Writing Tips – The Do’s and Don’ts

The Do’s of Resume Writing

  • Use a chronological format, which lists your work experience starting with your most recent experience, unless you have significant gaps in your work history or are changing careers.
  • Open with a summary statement highlighting your work functions, areas of expertise, and key skills.
  • If you have a technical background, you should have a technical summary: hardware, software, operating systems, etc.
  • Include a key word section of your competencies and areas of expertise.
  • Emphasize accomplishments, not just responsibilities. Start each statement with an Action Verb.
  • Emphasize the end results. Include quantifiable data if possible.
  • Have a short (2 or 3 sentence) job description after job title, but use “bullets” to list accomplishments.
  • Education – include anything beyond high school even if you did not finish or only took 1 or 2 courses.
  • Include corporate & state sponsored training and certifications that are relevant.
  • Proofread! Have a least 3 different pairs of eyes read your resume
  • Awards should be listed under the title where you earned them as an accomplishment.

The Don’ts of Resume Writing

  • Don’t exceed two pages in length unless you have publications or patents that extent the content of the resume.
  • Don’t include total number of years work experience, such as “Over 20 years in _ _ _ _”
  • Don’t slap a resume together for the sake of getting it done. You cannot take it back once it has been distributed.
  • Don’t use personal pronouns like I, me, they, or their. Start sentences with a verb.
  • Don’t include dates under Education or training unless you have completed your degree recently.
  • Don’t include references or say “References Available Upon Request” at the end of resume.
  • Don’t use a personal e-mail address with nicknames or other phrases that may cause a bias. Have a separate email address if possible.
  • Don’t include hobbies or other personal information such as height, weight, and marital or familial status.
  • End resume with Community Affiliations or Professional Associations section
  • Don’t include months of employment only years unless your agency requires months.
  • Don’t include a salary history on resume.

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