Do’s and Don’ts of Professional Resume Writing

Why hasn’t the task of resume-writing gotten simpler if over time things have gotten easier? Every month, it actually feels like we might be heading in the opposite direction especially since a fresh resume commandment needs to be learned.

Fresh resume commandments like “I shall not send an about-dated resume to a resourceful company.” or “I shall not use a resume objective statement” are enough to have any professional frustrated.

Fortunate for you, we have here the ultimate list of the do’s and don’ts of resume writing, from the brand new rules to the very traditional ones. Pull up your resume to make sure your resume is ready for the recruiter after taking a look at these.

Do’s of Resume Writing

Highlighting your most relevant and recent experience

As per rule number 1 of resume writing, for each role you apply to, you should be turning in a different version that is targeted and tailored to the position.

Your resume should- after all that- demonstrate accomplishments, experience, and skills specific to be able to do a job. For the hiring manager, make it easier for them to see why you are the best candidate.

Optimizing for tracking systems

Applicant tracking systems are often used by large organizations in order for unqualified applicants to be weeded out.

For contextual phrases and keywords, the system scans your resume and scores it mathematically for relevancy. Aimed at human review, this system allows for only the most qualified resumes to be studied.

Including soft skills

For soft skills, the quantifiable accomplishment technique works well. A skill the hiring manager is looking for needs to be described in each bullet point.

Always show instead of telling- how much of an effective communicator and skilled manager you are. You can achieve this with the help of figures or facts.

Including persona accomplishments’

If you’ve done something in your personal life which will help in engaging your technical skills or showing off your soft skills, then they are probably worth putting on your resume.

Demonstrate your adventurous side, desire to challenge yourself, and strong work ethic by including the number of marathons that you have run.

Including personal accomplishments like winning poker tournaments can help show potential employers that you’re good with numbers and a quick thinker.

Considering a summary statement

A couple of lines at the beginning of your resume may be included so that potential employers are given an outline of your experiences and skills.

This is most ideal when you have more than 4 or 5 years of experience and want to tie in everything. This can also be beneficial if you have disparate skills and want to fit them together.

Telling the truth

Anything that is not 100% should not be put on your resume- for obvious reasons!

Using real English

Using big words unnecessarily will not make you sound more competent, capable, or intelligent. CustomCV.co.uk can tailor your capabilities to you so that hiring managers are completely aware of what you are trying to say. Through their services, engagement and readership with your potential employers can be boosted.

Using powerful action words

The all too frequently used “managed”, “handled”, and “led”, need to be skipped while verbs like “maximized”, “consolidated”, “administered”, and “charted”, should be used more. This will make you sound more competent and confident.

Including your contact information

You would be surprised by how many candidates send in an amazing resume but without the contact information. The Contact Information on your resume should have your address, phone number, email address, personal website, and LinkedIn URL.

Rather than your work contact information, make sure you have your personals in the resume. Because otherwise, it’s going to be a recipe for disaster.

Keeping it one page

Recruiters don't have a ton of time to spend or read a lot of resumes. So keep your information succinct and short while cutting down all information to only the most relevant. One page of resume is recommended by Google’s senior vice president- for every 10 years of work experience.

Swapping resumes with other colleagues

Have a look at how the company and duties of your colleagues are described on their resumes. For your own descriptions, you will most likely get some inspiration.

It is also always beneficial to have fresh eyes looking at your resume. When you’re sending your resume to your friends, ask them what is too vague, confusing, and boring and what makes an impact.

It's probably time to edit if the same things start to pop up.

Don’ts of resume writing

Don’t include off-putting, unrelated, or random hobbies

Remember that potential employers don’t actually care that you are a member of a Dragon and dungeons group or that you play basketball. Anything that is not work-related or transferable, needs to be eliminated completely.

Don’t try to put in everything

Don’t try and squeeze as much information as possible into a select number of pages. In a readable font, cut the information down to fit onto one page. This will make it easier on the eyes.

Don’t send in the wrong message

Spend time on the right things on your resume. You can ensure that this happens with the best resume writers UK. The most frequently used words need to be avoided which can be done through word cloud generators.

You will be able to see what terms best acquaint you and whether or not they need to be adjusted so that the right message is sent out.

Don’t try to hide gaps

Glazing over gaps a little is okay, but you never lie about them outright. Be confident and honest instead when you explain periods of unemployment.

While you weren’t working, whatever you may have taken up like helping your community, running a household, or traveling, is bound to have transferred to some skills which can be applied. So don’t forget to mention them!

Don’t use Jargon or Clichés

If you didn’t know before, you’ll know now- hiring managers are tired of seeing descriptions like a detail-oriented, team player, or hard worker on resumes.

Using any role- or industry-specific jargon should be used so carefully. If you want your resume to land on the desk of hiring managers you will have to get it past HR.

Don’t use more than three lines per bullet

Skimming of resumes will be easier through this strategy. This is a good thing since less than 20 seconds are actually spent by hiring managers in reading it. Only the most important information needs to be included.

Don’t include things that can have you discriminated against

Discriminating against a job candidate is illegal. But that does not mean that it does not happen. So it’s best to leave details surrounding age, religion, gender, nationality, etc. off.

Don’t use negative words or phrases

Using negative connotations should be done so carefully, even when you’re trying to do so positively. Saying fixed widespread communication problem” or “met aggressive sales goals” will make recruiters subconsciously think lesser of you.

You should instead say “proposed and implemented a solution to make company communication easier and more efficient” or “delivered on an ambitious number of sales.”

Final Verdict

The foundation of your job search is a polished resume. However, you will need to develop a winning and sound strategy in order to land your dream job. For tips on how to write a resume, you can contact professional services.