Resume Writing Final Checklist

Your resume represents you, so make sure it is flawless. Before giving it to your potential employer, be sure to do the following:

Resume Content

• List your complete name, address, and telephone number at the top of the page.
• Place summary and/or objective directly under your name and address to lead the reader’s eye to it immediately.
• Whenever possible, eliminate information not directly related to this position.
• Include all education, formal and informal, relevant to the desired position.
• Include only relevant work experience.
• Avoid excessive detail in relating your experience. For example, don’t write “opened mail, sorted correspondence” unless directly related to the position you seek.
• Use truthful, quantitative detail.
• Avoid using “I” (e.g., say “Wrote and edited manual” instead of “I wrote and edited the manual”).
• Exclude data that could be used in discrimination (age, social security number, religion, salary expectation, weight, height, marital status, or political affiliation).
• Double-check all spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Never print names and addresses of references directly on the resume.

Resume Style

• List work experience in chronological order from most recent experience backwards.
• Mention awards and community activities that support your targeted job. Present them in ways that reflect your enthusiasm, versatility, and other attributes. Make every experience appear to be a positive one.
• Begin sentences with action verbs, like initiated, organized, developed.
  Avoid using abbreviations, overly technical jargon, or slang.
• Check verb tense for consistency.
• Include white space by consolidating information where possible.
• Avoid repeating the same or similar information.
• Choose words carefully to catch the reader’s attention.
• Be sure your resume is clear, attractive to the eye, and easy to read.
• Use a quality printer with a clear, sharp typeface.
• Use a heavy bond 8 1/2″ by 11″ paper.
• Keep resume to one page.

Remember to check out our Samples Page for resume examples.