Advertise yourself
Have you ever seen an advertisement or flyer which really caught your attention? Did it provide key information? Did you want to learn more about the product or service? Design your resume as an advertisement which sells your services.
The reject pile
Which pile will your resume be in? Will it wind up in the "read more" or "reject" pile? Does your resume focus on what you can offer the employer? Your resume is the key to selling yourself to potential employers. It takes a matter of seconds for an employer to toss your resume into the “reject” pile based on the presentation of your resume. Learn how to create a resume which lands in the "read more" pile.
Gain free expert help
Attend Minnesota WorkForce Centers free resume writing workshops. Learn more about resumes through
Creative Job Search.
Some do's and don'ts
Consider creating several versions of your resume which emphasize your qualifications for different types of jobs. There are many ways to write a resume; below are some do's and don'ts.
| Do |
Don't |
- Think about resume Contents and lead with
strong statements that are related to the job or goal.
- Emphasize your skills.
- Keep it brief (1-2 pages). Your resume is an overview of your qualifications
- not your life story.
- Use 8 1/2" x 11" paper.
- Correct all typographical, grammatical, and spelling errors.
- Include your employment-related accomplishments.
- Target your qualifications and occupational goals.
- Clearly communicate your purpose and value to employers.
- Maintain eye-appealing visual appearance.
- Use the best format to showcase your skills.
- Appear neat, well organized, and professional.
- Be creative and make your resume relevant to the job.
- Always include a cover letter when mailing your resume.
- Enhance your qualifications by using measurable outcomes, values,
and percentages.
- Use different resumes for different purposes.
- Make the resume in a format that can be scanned.
|
- Use abbreviations (exceptions include middle initial and directions
such as N for North).
- Use "I" to refer to yourself. Avoid any mention of salary
expectations or wage history.
- Print on a dot matrix printer.
- Use fancy typeset, binders, or exotic paper.
- Send a photograph of yourself.
- Make statements that you cannot prove.
- Include personal information (age, height, weight, family status,
picture, or religious or political affiliation unless you are applying
for a job with one of these organizations).
- Change the tense of verbs or use the passive voice. It is not necessary
to use the title "Resume."
- Include references on the resume. Make a separate list of References.
- Include hobbies or social interests unless they contribute to your
objective.
- Staple or fold your resume.
|
What are resume scanners?
Companies are often flooded with applications and don’t have the resources to review all the resumes they receive.
Many employers use electronic resume scanning systems to screen resumes. These scanners are programmed to look for specific keywords or phrases in resumes which match the minimum requirements for the position. This helps employers narrow
down the number of qualified candidates to interview. Use the list of do's
and don'ts below to increase your odds of staying in the applicant pool.
Visit the Creative Job Search website, for more information about scannable
resumes.
| Do |
Don't |
- Give priority to the skills on your resume. Scannable resume systems
are set to read skills.
- Place name, address, and phone number in a block format below the
top margin. Be sure to include your area code.
- Use generous margins and plenty of white space.
- Make sure that your resume is high quality and professional.
|
- Use graphics and shading.
- Use horizontal and vertical lines. (If you do use them,
be sure to surround them with a quarter inch of white space.)
- Use a font size smaller than 10 or larger than 14.
- Use italic, script or underlined text.
- Staple or fold your resume. Send it in a flat white envelope.
- Use decorative typeface. (Instead use one that is easily readable.
Times, AGaramond, Optima, Caslon Book, and Slimbach are font options
that
are easily readable.)
|
Source: Creative Job Search,
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Page last updated in February 2008.
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