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 1. Know the Basics, 2. Resume Headers, 3. Action Verbs

1. Know the Basics   or ↑op

• Proofread your resume and have 3 other people proofread it is well.  Spell check cannot be relied upon and an error free resume is essential.  Resumes with errors are likely to be dismissed by employers.

 

• Organize each section in reverse chronological order with most recent experiences listed first and least recent experiences listed last.

 

• Verb tense should be in present tense for any work or activity you are currently performing and in past tense for anything that you have completed.

 

• “References Available upon Request” statement or a “References” section are not needed on a resume.  Most employers know they may request references and you should have a separate list prepared.

 

• City and state should be listed for each employer or school mentioned.  Street addresses, zip codes, supervisor names, and phone numbers are not necessary.

 

• Dates listed should always include the year, and, if you desire, the month, but do not include the actual day.  Dates should be written in the same format throughout the resume.  For example, don’t put “July 2003” in one section and “07/03” in another.

 

• Create two versions of your resume emphasizing different skills and experiences if you are seeking employment in two different types of fields.

 

• Age, sex, marital status, height, weight, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and personal photos should never be included on a resume.  Involvement with organizations that imply one of the above factors is perfectly acceptable.

 

• High school experiences should not be included unless you are in your first or second year of college.  Employers are primarily interested in information related to college or post-college accomplishments.

 

•  Hobbies or interests sections may be included on a resume if space allows and should consist of a brief (2-4 items) list.  Employers are most interested in experiences that relate to your field of work, such as travel, personal investing, personal web design, and non-professional clubs that relate to the career area.

 

• Salary information should not be included on a resume.  If an employer requests a “salary history” or “salary requirements,” include a salary range that you are seeking in your cover letter.

 

• Abbreviations other than “GPA” should not be used on a resume.  Acronyms may be used if the title is first written out in this manner:  Oakland University (OU).

 

• Parentheses should be avoided.  If the information is important enough to have on your resume, it does not need to be in parentheses.

 

• Periods may be used at the end of sentences or descriptions in resumes.  However, if you use periods be consistent and use them everywhere.

 

• Availability only needs to be mentioned if you are able to work full-time prior to your graduation date or if you are seeking part-time employment during a distinct period of time, such as summer.

 

• Ability to Relocate/Willingness to Travel are appealing factors to many employers and should be noted.

 

• Work status information such as citizenship, visa, or residency status may also be included on a resume.

 

 

          2.  Resume Headings or ↑op

 

 

 

 

       3.     Action Verbs for Resumes or ↑op