50 (Still) Hot Resume Writing Tips!
by Marcia Robinson Thursday, August 27, 2009
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For almost 10 years, Marcia Robinson has coached, written and trained on career, workplace, employment and entrepreneurship issues. She has a MBA with emphasis in Strategic HR Management and career management experience in Higher Education, Technology and Hospitality. Contact her through BullsEyeResumes career blogs, ranked in the Top 50 HR Blogs by SuccessHR.
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Does your current resume need a facelift?
These 50 hot resume writing tips can give your resumes a needed facelift if you have a resume that is not working for you.
Use these hot 50 resume writing tips to help proofread a resume...regardless of who does the resume writing.
- Proofread resumes for grammar, spelling and factual errors
- Use consistent font size. Watch bullet sizes
- Limit or avoid graphics when writing a resume
- Use upper case letters sparingly and only when appropriate
- Fancy, expensive resume writing paper is not always a priority
- Using bullets will make resumes easier to read
- Do not use “responsibilities”, “responsibilities include” and “duties include”
- Volunteer work and community service enhances a resume
- Adjust margins if the resume is slightly too long
- Avoid personal pronouns like “I”, “my” and “me” except in the objective statement
- Do not list complete addresses of past employers
- Do not include names of references on the resume. Add a separate reference document.
- Keep in mind that the top 30-40% of the resume gets the most attention
- Use an ASCII font
- Use page numbers if the resume is more than one page
- Add name and contact to all pages if more than one page
- Try a resume blaster service
- Printing out an online profile is not the same as having a resume
- Use tables to align columns and remove lines
- Use a professional email address on your resume
- Hyperlink your email address
- Do not place information above your name
- Set resume margins no smaller than .5
- New grads and career changers should put education close to top of resume
- With years of experience, move education to the bottom of the resume
- A resume has about 30 seconds to make an impression on the recruiter
- Make it easy to read
- Change the resume objective statement as needed
- Write a strong "Summary of Qualifications"
- Use industry “buzz words” or keywords on a resume
- Resumes must identify specific successful outcomes
- Use $, % and # to demonstrate achievements
- One specific phrase to try and avoid – Entry Level
- Do not use one word resume objectives eg "Sales"
- Research advantages of the Chronological Resume vs Functional resume
- Be consistent with date formats on the resume eg 09/09, Sep 09, Sep 2009
- Consider the Combination resume
- Get others to proof read your resume – be open to criticism
- It is not necessary to include every job you have ever had
- Keep all resume content relevant
- Not all online resume writing services are equally capable
- Always keep a resume writing guide on your desk for quick reference
- Resumes, reference sheets, cover letters and thank-you letters can have the same letter head format
- Try to bring quality resume paper for interviews
- Do not include social security numbers; federal resumes may require it
- Use Action Verbs on the resume to describe accomplishments
- Use short paragraphs. 3-5 sentences maximum
- White space on a resume is not a bad thing
- Make sure resume contact information is current. The recruiter must be able to contact you.
- Consider working with a professional resume writer for a free resume critique
Marcia Robinson is a principal partner at www.BullsEyeResumes.com and an experienced business professional who has been writing, training and coaching on career, workplace, employment and entrepreneurship issues for the last 10 years.
She has more than 20 years experience in leadership roles in the Higher Education, Hospitality and Technology sectors. Her background includes an Associate Degree in Electronic Engineering Technology, a BS in Business Administration and MBA with emphasis in Human Resources Management.
Marcia’s commitment to the professional and personal development of everyone is driven by her personal belief that there are no limits to how someone’s life, and the lives of those around them, can be enhanced through education, training and meaningful employment. Robinson is a contributing writer to many online job journals and maintains five career blogs for www.BullsEyeResumes.com.
Contact Marcia at - mr@bullseyeresumes.com.
These 50 hot resume writing tips can give your resumes a needed facelift if you have a resume that is not working for you.
Use these hot 50 resume writing tips to help proofread a resume...regardless of who does the resume writing.
- Proofread resumes for grammar, spelling and factual errors
- Use consistent font size. Watch bullet sizes
- Limit or avoid graphics when writing a resume
- Use upper case letters sparingly and only when appropriate
- Fancy, expensive resume writing paper is not always a priority
- Using bullets will make resumes easier to read
- Do not use “responsibilities”, “responsibilities include” and “duties include”
- Volunteer work and community service enhances a resume
- Adjust margins if the resume is slightly too long
- Avoid personal pronouns like “I”, “my” and “me” except in the objective statement
- Do not list complete addresses of past employers
- Do not include names of references on the resume. Add a separate reference document.
- Keep in mind that the top 30-40% of the resume gets the most attention
- Use an ASCII font
- Use page numbers if the resume is more than one page
- Add name and contact to all pages if more than one page
- Try a resume blaster service
- Printing out an online profile is not the same as having a resume
- Use tables to align columns and remove lines
- Use a professional email address on your resume
- Hyperlink your email address
- Do not place information above your name
- Set resume margins no smaller than .5
- New grads and career changers should put education close to top of resume
- With years of experience, move education to the bottom of the resume
- A resume has about 30 seconds to make an impression on the recruiter
- Make it easy to read
- Change the resume objective statement as needed
- Write a strong "Summary of Qualifications"
- Use industry “buzz words” or keywords on a resume
- Resumes must identify specific successful outcomes
- Use $, % and # to demonstrate achievements
- One specific phrase to try and avoid – Entry Level
- Do not use one word resume objectives eg "Sales"
- Research advantages of the Chronological Resume vs Functional resume
- Be consistent with date formats on the resume eg 09/09, Sep 09, Sep 2009
- Consider the Combination resume
- Get others to proof read your resume – be open to criticism
- It is not necessary to include every job you have ever had
- Keep all resume content relevant
- Not all online resume writing services are equally capable
- Always keep a resume writing guide on your desk for quick reference
- Resumes, reference sheets, cover letters and thank-you letters can have the same letter head format
- Try to bring quality resume paper for interviews
- Do not include social security numbers; federal resumes may require it
- Use Action Verbs on the resume to describe accomplishments
- Use short paragraphs. 3-5 sentences maximum
- White space on a resume is not a bad thing
- Make sure resume contact information is current. The recruiter must be able to contact you.
- Consider working with a professional resume writer for a free resume critique
Marcia Robinson is a principal partner at www.BullsEyeResumes.com and an experienced business professional who has been writing, training and coaching on career, workplace, employment and entrepreneurship issues for the last 10 years.
She has more than 20 years experience in leadership roles in the Higher Education, Hospitality and Technology sectors. Her background includes an Associate Degree in Electronic Engineering Technology, a BS in Business Administration and MBA with emphasis in Human Resources Management.
Marcia’s commitment to the professional and personal development of everyone is driven by her personal belief that there are no limits to how someone’s life, and the lives of those around them, can be enhanced through education, training and meaningful employment. Robinson is a contributing writer to many online job journals and maintains five career blogs for www.BullsEyeResumes.com.
Contact Marcia at - mr@bullseyeresumes.com.