Knowledge Center
Writing the Perfect Resume
March 5, 2007
- Your résumé should be a clear, concise professional presentation of yourself.
- A chronological résumé is preferable to a functional résumé.
- Always include the month and year in your dates of employment.
- Use "action" verbs for impact, i.e. "achieved, coordinated, implemented, saved, promoted, supervised, etc."
- Provide only the information that is relevant to the position for which you are applying.
- Never include photographs or illustrations, unless required by your professional (e.g. actors' composites).
- Never include age, weight, height, marital status, race etc.
- Never include salary history or present salary objective (unless specifically requested by the employer, and then only provide in your cover letter).
- Whenever possible, keep the résumé to one page… no more than two. It is not necessary to go back more than 10-12 years.
- Always include education, degrees, special courses taken, etc., as well as special skills… languages, computer programs, certifications, etc.
- Use good quality paper, white or manila. Do not use colored paper. Use envelopes that match the résumé paper.
- The résumé should be typed on a word processor or taken to a printer for professional printing.
- Proofread the résumé for typo's… then proofread again and again. Typographical errors and misspelled words
will land your résumé in the "circular file".
- Be prepared to provide references. References should be typed on a separate sheet and given to the interviewer when requested.
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