30 Resume Dos and Don’ts for 2020
by Riia O’Donnell
The beginning of a job search – fresh out of school or mid-career has life-changing potential.
Your resume is your introduction to employers who will review whether your experience, qualifications, and skills are the right matches for the organization, the team, and the specific needs.
It’s important to provide relevant information in a clear, succinct manner that scores an interview and, possibly, a new job.
What to include on your resume is important: what to exclude is just as critical. Don’t overshare, over embellish, or oversell.
The object of the resume is to whet the recruiter’s appetite with information that makes them want to discuss your talents in more detail. Here are some common dos and don’ts when compiling your resume.
Personal Information
Do
Provide relevant professional information, including your full name, address, and phone numbers.
Don’t
Provide personal information about your life and family: marital status, number of children, race, religion, etc. are not pertinent to the job and don’t belong on your resume.
Presentation
Do
Create a resume that’s neat, professional, and free of spelling and grammar errors.
Don’t
Submit a resume that looks like it was compiled in the dark. This is your first impression – make an impression with it.
Format
Do
Categorize your background in subheadings that are easy to identify and read: experience, education, qualifications, etc.
Don’t
Make it challenging for a recruiter to understand. Don’t include a separate list of professional achievements, for example. Place them in the text with the relevant job.
Length
Do
For the majority of job seekers, a single-page resume is sufficient.
Don’t
Go over one page unless your background and credentials are highly complex and extensive.
Objective
Do
Provide an objective that speaks to the needs of a potential employer. Discuss how you can leverage your background to further their goals.
Don’t
Create a list of demands or your ‘dream job.’ It’s not their job to fulfill your dream.
Relevancy
Do
Apply for jobs that meet your skills and qualifications.
Don’t
Cast a wide net by sending your resume to anyone with a vacancy. You’re wasting your time and the recruiter’s if you don’t meet the necessary qualifications.
Self-promotion
Do
Sell yourself! Highlight your achievements and recognition. If you earned a promotion, met or exceeded goals, include these on your resume.
Don’t
Oversell: don’t feel the need to list an outstanding achievement for every job or educational experience. Choose achievements most relevant to a potential employer. Being the Pinewood Derby winner 3 years in a row is impressive, but doesn’t belong on your resume.
Skills
Do
Include relevant skills that help a potential employer understand more about you than job titles and education. Include you are a strong communicator, work well in teams or independently, or have leadership qualities.
Don’t
List relevant skills as bullet points. Show how they relate to the work. Independent workers, for example, could include: able to work independently, meeting deadlines with little supervision.
Career Progression
Do
List promotions earned at each employer clearly and concisely, including dates. List each new title with a short description of responsibilities.
Don’t
Relist and employer several times for each promotion. A single heading of the employer’s name is sufficient. Subheadings of each of your titles and responsibilities are precise and easy to read.
Other Experience
Do
Include internships and temporary work. Exposure to training, skills, and opportunities, even short-term, maybe a tipping point in your favor.
Don’t
Disregard the skills learned on every job or internship experience. Even if they’re not directly applicable to the job, successful work experience has value.
Personal Beliefs
Do
Include an overall commitment to quality work and community service.
Don’t
Include political preference. Unless you’re applying to work for a specific politician or group, this is personal and irrelevant to the job.
ATS Keywords
Do
Be aware of your resume is going through a screening program you may need to shift the language. If the position calls for sales experience, for example, you may need to change your language from a retail clerk to a retail sales representative.
Don’t
Assume the employer or ATS is screening for every possible synonym. If you have the relevant experience, but a different job title, include language the system will understand.
Authenticity
Do
Write your resume in your own words. Make sure the presentation is genuine and touches on the language and requirements in the posting.
Don’t
Copy and paste the job posting’s requirements into your experience. Even if they’re similar or an exact match, recruiters will recognize their own job postings when evaluating your submission.
Veracity
Do
Be truthful. Your resume should represent who you actually are and what you’ve truly done. It’s good to put your best foot forward, but make sure it’s your actual foot.
Don’t
Lie on your resume. Recruiters will check references to verify dates, positions, degrees, etc. Fudging information may move you through the process initially, but you’re likely to be caught. Why waste your time and theirs?
Employment Gaps
Do
Leave gaps in employment on your resume if they exist. You can list years worked rather than months for each employer, but don’t go much further.
Don’t
Try to fill in employment gaps with untruths. A good employer will judge your resume on the work you have performed, and interview you to discuss any gaps.
You never get a second chance to make a good resume first impression. Make sure your resume represents you clearly, truthfully, and professionally.