Your resume is one of the most important parts of the job search because it is the first impression a potential employer has of you on paper. As a dynamic selling tool, it markets your unique package of education and experience. The purpose of the resume is not to get a job, but to secure an interview; the interview gets you the job offer.

There is no right or wrong way to construct your resume. However, with most employers being overwhelmed by resumes, sometimes 100-200 for the average opening, you have between 15-30 seconds to capture the recruiter’s attention. Remember, the top half of your resume is always the most important in terms of your “advertising space.” Although there are many conflicting opinions on how to write a resume, should be aware of the following major “rules.”

Resume DOs

• DO center the heading at the top in size 14 font.
  
• DO use an objective if the reader might have trouble figuring out your career focus.
  
• DO list your education first unless you have been out of school for many years.
  
• DO describe your experiences with action verbs. e.g. edited, organized, reviewed, etc.
  
• DO list dates on the right side.
  
• DO use standard fonts like “Times New Roman.”
  
• DO laser print on 25% bonded paper.
  
• DO use ivory or off-white paper; never gray or blue.
  
• DO omit articles such as “a” “the.”
  
• DO keep it concise with 1 page for every 10 years of experience.
  
• DO leave space between your various experiences for easier reading.
  
• DO write it with the employer’s needs in mind and keep it organized.
  
• DO prepare to back up all items on the resume in an interview.
  
• DO qualify & quantify your resume experiences.
  
• DO “frame” it on paper with either .5” or .75” margins.
  
• DO tailor it to your purposes.
  
• DO expect to write at least 2 drafts.
  
• DO spell check and proofread it carefully.
  
• DO have it critiqued by a career counselor or other professional
  
• DO bring extra copies to the interview.

Resume DONT’s

• DON’T include everything on your resume.
  
• DON’T provide any personal information e.g. race, age, date of birth, religion, marital status, health, or photos.
  
• DON’T state salary expectations.
  
• DON’T “pad” or lie on your resume.
  
• DON’T list professional references.
  
• DON’T have any typos or misspellings.
  
• DON’T use phrases beginning with: “Assisted with…”, “Responsible for...” or “Worked at...”
  
• DON’T guess at dates. Be accurate! (Employers will often check.)
  
• DON’T use any computerized resume writing software programs.

Updating your resume on an annual basis can help you assess your progress and should be a regular part of your long-term career development. Consider meeting with a career development professional in the community, a mentor, or anyone that would be willing to give you an objective critique. They can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and areas to focus on for improvement.

Building and shaping your resume is something that takes time and careful preparation. Analyzing your resume annually will help you stay fresh and competitive in the marketplace.