Resume Do’s & Don’ts

DO'S
• Remember the purpose - it's a summary marketing document
• Keep it brief - one or two pages is best. I recommend you keep a separate and detailed job history, update it regularly, and draw your resume from that.
• Stress your past accomplishments and the skills you used to get the desired results. Your accomplishment statements should compel the reader to want to talk to you further. Quantify the benefits/results, if quantifiable. (Ex: cost saving of new process was $2M/yr). If not quantifiable, describe benefits (Ex: Improved troop morale and confidence of local citizens through regular soccer games).
• Focus on information that's relevant to the goals you’re pursuing. So, if you're making a career change, stress what skills are transferable to support your new career objectives.
• Neatness counts. A poorly structured, badly typed resume tells the reader much about the applicant — none of it good. Spend the extra money to have your resume typed or word processed, or even printed. It's well worth it.
• Know the limits of what even the best resume can do. It can open a door but you have to put your best foot forward and sell yourself to seal the deal.

DON’TS
• Do not provide personal references on your resume. If they’re seriously considering hiring you, you will most likely be asked to provide reference information. Have them ready.
• Avoid unusual paper size or colors. 8.5 by 11-inch paper — in white, buff or beige, is recommended. Be sure to use a good quality paper.
• Your salary history should never be included.
• Reasons for leaving previous jobs should usually not be included in a resume, unless you had frequent, short projects.
• Don't include references to areas of your life that are not business related, or have nothing to do with your current career goals unless they tie to your objectives.