A resume is an essential tool in a job search. This tool is used to market or sell yourself to an employer. It should only be a short summary, not the whole story of your work life. The following are general guidelines for writing a resume. This information may change geographically, and could vary according to individual circumstances and profession.

Resume format:

• Length should not exceed two pages: if you have a second page, your name, contact information and “page 2” should be on the second page
• Margins should be approximately one inch with plenty of white space to make it easy to read
• Conservative, easy-to-read font styles (Arial, Tahoma, Times New Roman), 10 to 12 point; do not mix fonts
• Black ink only
• Layout easy to follow; information should be listed consistently and be easy to locate
• Appearance neat and clean — no errors or corrections
• Paper should be neutral in color, preferably white or off white – avoid paper with flecks or designs
• Cover letter header and paper should match resume
• Left-justified, with dates (month/year) on right

Resume content:

• Include your LinkedIn link/address at the top of your resume along with your email and telephone number
• Show responsibility vs. tasks and results which relate to needs of company to which you are applying
• Give examples of your accomplishments and your ability to solve problems
• Show statistics and numbers wherever possible
• Be honest, positive and specific
• Use category headings: summary, professional highlights, education, training, skills, professional associations and organizations, honors and awards
• Objective statements are not necessary but if you use one it must be specific to the job, occupation and or industry to which you are applying – if your objective is vague, it does not add value — employers frown upon this as it looks like you didn’t take the time to target your resume to their position/opening
• Don’t use a sentence format; instead, start each bullet with a strong action verb and a minimum number of words with lots of impact
• Bulleted statements should not have periods at the end as most are not complete sentences and bullets should not be more than two lines each
• Do not use words that end in “ion,” “ing”: instead use strong past tense verbs or nouns at the beginning of each statement—example: communicate rather than communication and supervise rather than supervision
• Include volunteer experience, languages, internships, and certificates which relate to the position to which you are applying
• “References provided upon request” does not need to be included at the bottom of your resume
• Do not provide names of references on the resume — either attach a reference sheet or provide references upon request
• Avoid jargon and abbreviations: use industry terminology when applying within the same industry and use layman’s language when changing careers
• Do not give high school graduation date as it is an illegal question: employers can’t ask it so you shouldn’t give it
• Do not give college graduation date if more than 20 years ago

General tips:

• Write your own resume — start by writing down a list of everything you’ve done, your work record, education, and all your accomplishments—resume worksheets are available at the CareerCenter
• Omit salary information: only provide it when requested
• Include ONLY the last 10-15 years of work history
• Employers typically skim a resume in 10-15 seconds—make it easy for the reader to find the relevant information that makes you an ideal candidate
• Your voice mail should be professional as should the way you answer your phone when conducting a job search
• Use a professional looking email address