Resume Writing - Do’s & Don’ts
Do:
- Aim at catching attention and holding it
- Utilize a chronological format
- Display your name prominently (18-20 pt. Font)
- Include complete contact information (home #, cell #, pager, email)
- For degreed accountants and financial analysts, list your education first
- Specify your GPA (if it is strong)
- Detail computer skills by listing software packages used, include internet and any systems conversions
- Include the number of staff managed or supervised
- Use 12 pt. font in the body along with a bullet format
- Start each bullet with an action verb and be very concise
- Include a brief description of each employer (annual revenues, industry, geography served, etc.) along with the city & state
- State accomplishments (contribution to the bottom line and/or $’s saved)
- Limit to two pages
- Spell check completely!!!
- Remember that the hiring manager will normally have a background similar to you…..What would you be looking for in a candidate’s resume?
Don’t:
- Limit to one page
- Use 8 pt. font
- Present in functional format
- Specify an objective
- Include personal information (marital status, children, hobbies)
- List the exact duties on multiple positions
- Use periods after letters of a certification (CPA–not C.P.A.; CPP–not C.P.P.)
- Use “I, we, our” ; use third person (Mr. Smith attended Harvard)
- When using a month/year date format, there should never be a comma (June 2008—not June, 2008).