Resume Writing Tips

In the last post, Kim Dukes-Rivers has given you some great general resume-writing and interviewing tips that can help you get the job that you’ve been dreaming about. In the next posts, we will go more into detail with each category of interest, and today we will focus on the resume.

As Kim has already mentioned, your resume should be concise — no more than two pages — and easy to read. Repeating keywords used in the job description will help ensure that your resume passes the employer’s first cut. Make sure your job titles stand out. Recruiters should be able to quickly notice the positions that you have held in the past.

What if you’ve never actually worked before? Specify any practical experience you gained from volunteer work or an internship. Did you take a related college course that might indicate you have the required skills or knowledge for the job? Some employers might consider your grade point average as an indicator of your ability to learn quickly and is often considered a predictor of future performance, especially in the science and technology fields.

Use your Internet search skills to find a resume layout that will present your information in an attractive and concise format. The Internet is also a great place to research potential employers. You will want to be well-acquainted with the company’s leadership team, including its board of directors, and its founding principles or mission.

Your resume will probably require a cover letter, particularly if the specific job you seek asks for one, but also in the event you need to clarify information in your resume — for example, if you majored in music, but are applying for a technology job.

Your resume should not contain any slang or acronyms, and must absolutely have no misspellings. Do not include references to your ethnicity, age, married status, familial status or sexual orientation, as such information has the potential to invite personal biases. Your resume should be all about your competencies, period.