Résumé Tips

Even though your résumé took you hours to write, hiring managers will typically spend less than one minute reviewing it. If your résumé has any glaring errors, however, employers will waste no time deleting it.

To ensure your résumé gets proper attention, use these 10 tips when preparing your résumé:

1. Attach a cover letter.
Letters are so important to the application process that many hiring managers automatically reject resumes that arrive without them. Make the most of your cover letter by expanding on a few of your qualifications, explaining any gaps in employment or providing other information that will entice the employer to read your résumé.
2. Don’t give your résumé format a little “ flair.”
Unusual fonts or fluorescent pink paper will certainly make your résumé stand out -- in a bad way. Keep your résumé looking professional by sticking with standard white or cream-colored paper, black type and a common font like Arial or Times New Roman.
3. Keep it short and concise.
Your high school job scooping ice cream probably isn’t relevant to your career anymore, so there is no reason to include it on your résumé. Your résumé should be no more than two pages -- and no more than a page for most professionals -- so only include your most recent and relevant work history.
4. Focus on accomplishments, not duties.
Instead of writing a list of job duties on your résumé, demonstrate how each duty contributed to the bottom line. For example, anyone can plan the company fund-raiser, but if you note that your fund-raiser brought in 50 percent more money than the previous year’s event, the hiring manager will be more impressed. Include any computer software and programs you used. Hiring Managers like bullet points. They also prefer chronological résumés over experienced-based résumés. They want to know what you did at each position and how long ago you had that experience.
5. Don’t list a selfish objective.
Employers are trying to determine whether you’re a good fit for their organization, so everything should point to your experience. A summary of qualifications that conveniently displays your accomplishment and background is far more effective than a generic objective statement (“ To gain experience in…”). Start with… To contribute my _____ experience and help ______.
6. Don’t make it too generic.
Always customize your résumé and cover letter for each job and employer to which you apply. This way, you can tailor your information to show how you will be a perfect fit for the position.
7. Don’t guesstimate your dates and titles.
With the proliferation of background checks, any “ upgrades” you give your titles or stretching of employment dates to cover gaps will likely get caught -- and you will be eliminated from consideration.
8. Don’t include why you left.
Never put anything negative on your résumé. If you left the position due to a layoff or you were fired, bring it up only if asked.
9. Do not include personal information.
It’s fine if you enjoy fishing or tennis on Sunday afternoons, but unless your hobby relates to your career, it doesn’t belong on your résumé. The same goes for your height, weight, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or any other facts that could potentially be used against you.
10. Make sure everything is spelled correctly.
Spell-checkers can pick up many typos -- but they won’t catch everything (manger vs. manager, for example). Always proofread your résumé several times, and ask a friend to give it a final once-over. Misspelled words will get you tossed immediately.

Make sure you have an electronic copy save to a disk at all times. It’s much easier for managers to pull up an email attachment - in MS Word or Adobe Acrobat formats.