Resume Do’s and Don’ts: Tips and Tricks to Take You to the Top

From our Talent Acquisition team, here are helpful do’s and don’ts to consider when fine-tuning your resume:  

DO’s: 

• Keep it uniform: To ensure your resume is clear and concise, it should be one or two pages long, depending on the longevity of your career. Stylistically, sticking to one font throughout the entire page makes it easy to read. To help navigate the viewer through your resume, use formatting tools such as bold, italic, and underline to differentiate headings and subheadings.  
• Include the month AND year for the timeline/duration of your role. This helps the hiring team visualize your professional journey clearly.   
• Use action verbs properly: When describing your current position, use action verbs in present tense. Action verbs, such as “execute,” “develop,” or “oversee,” can help make your resume more dynamic and keep the focus on your current skills and experience. When describing past roles, use verbs in past tense. Past tense verbs, such as “accomplished,” “strengthened” or “implemented,” will clarify and highlight your achievements while you were in said role.  
• Proofread: Make sure to proofread your resume for spelling and grammar errors. It’s also a good idea to have someone else review it to catch any mistakes you may have missed.  

DON’Ts:  

• Use too many fonts or colors: While it’s important to make your resume visually appealing, using fonts or colors can be distracting and look unprofessional. Stick to simple, easy-to-read fonts and use minimal color accents.  
• Include a picture: A resume should focus on your skills and qualifications, rather than your physical appearance. A picture could distract from the content of your resume and potentially undermine the impact of your qualifications.  
• Use an unprofessional email address: Make sure to use a professional email address, such as your name or a combination of your name and a relevant keyword, rather than a casual, informal email address.   

By following these do’s and don’ts, you can create a strong, professional resume that proactively showcases your skill set and experience with the goal of standing out to potential employers. For more guidance and advice on creating the best resume, reach out to our Talent Acquisition team!