Once you have gathered and organized your information, there are several things to keep in mind as you begin the actual writing process:
Be consistent.
Use bullets to draw the reader’s attention to your verb phrases.
Use phrases to describe your skills instead of sentences.
Condense ideas.
Be specific.
Be neat and organized.
Use quality résumé paper in shades of cream and gray.
Use a laser printer.
Be honest about your information including your GPA.
Proofread.
Have someone else proofread your résumé, and edit, edit, edit!
You should never include in your résumé:
References to race, religion, sex, or age
Photos
Reasons for job changes
Self-serving claims
Abbreviations or jargon
Irrelevant information
Action Words
The following “action” words can be used as the first word of sentence fragments in your résumé. Always begin your statements with an action word that describes a certain skill or ability you possess. A thesaurus can be a helpful tool in this process.
Accelerated
Accomplished
Achieved
Adapted
Administered
Analyzed
Approved
Completed
Conceived
Conducted
Conferred
Constructed
Contracted
Controlled
Converted
Coordinated
Created
Cut
Delegated
Delivered
Demonstrated
Designed
Developed
Devised
Directed
Doubled
Drafted
Edited
Effected
Eliminated
Enlarged
Equipped
Established
Evaluated
Exhibited
Expanded
Expedited
Formulated
Guided
Implemented
Improved
Increased
Influenced
Initiated
Installed
Interpreted
Invented
Launched
Lectured
Maintained
Managed
Motivated
Negotiated
Operated
Organized
Originated
Participated
Performed
Pinpointed
Planned
Prepared
Produced
Proficient
Programmed
Promoted
Proposed
Proved
Provided
Recommended
Recorded
Reduced
Reinforced
Researched
Responsible
Revamped
Reviewed
Revised
Scheduled
Set up
Significantly
Simplified
Sold
Solved
Streamlined
Structured
Succeeded
Successfully
Supervised
Supported
Taught
Trained
Translated
Trimmed
Tripled
Uncovered
Unraveled
Widened
Won
Wrote
The Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing
Do
Be clear, concise, and precise (ONE PAGE)
Avoid abbreviations except fully understood words
Include a cover letter when mailing your résumé
Proofread!!!
Don't
Lie or exaggerate about your accomplishments
Use personal pronouns like “I” or “My”
Staple or paper-clip pages
Use big words or professional jargon
Round off your grade point average
Write long paragraphs or sentences
Include a photograph
Common Employer Criticisms of Resumes
Misspellings, bad grammar, and wordiness
Too long, short, or condensed
Poor layout, physical appearance
Poor punctuation
Lengthy phrases, sentences, and paragraphs
Too slick, amateurish, and “gimmicky”
Too boastful or dishonest
Poorly typed and reproduced
Irrelevant information
Critical categories missing
Hard to understand or requires too much interpretation
Does not convey accomplishments
Text does not support objective
Unclear objective
Too much jargon
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