7 RESUME DON'TS

When developing your resume, keep these 7 important DONT'S in mind:

DON'T Use Abbreviations

When naming schools, training/certificates or skills sets; always use the complete name and leave out the abbreviation.  Your resume should be readable by anyone; not just people who would be familiar with the jargon in your field.  You also don’t want to confuse the reader. 

DON'T make it Difficult to Read

Use a font that is easy on the eyes such as Arial or Times New Roman; if your resume is hard to read, it may be put in the trash pile.

DON'T leave Anything to Assumptions

This includes gaps in your work history; this can be a red flag to some employers and they will come up with their own assumptions of why you were unemployed for an extended period of time.  The best thing to do is explain this gap in your cover letter.  Also, always include your address or employers may assume you live out of town; some employers would rather hire locally.

DON'T have an Inappropriate Email Address

Use an appropriate email address while you are job searching; it’s easy enough to create an email specifically for your resume sending.  Use something that includes your last name and first name or a mix so it’s easy to identify you on the employer's email.

DON'T include your Entire Life History

A resume should be short, sweet and to the point; it should clearly define your skills/experience relating to the job that you are applying for.  For example, you do not have to list jobs from when you were a teenager if you are currently in your 30’s or 40’s; nor do you have to include your completed high school (unless the job posting asks specifically for this information).  Also,  do not include personal details such as your birth date, gender, or religion.

DON'T be too General about your Abilities

Resumes used to include long lists of job duties; well, the days of lists are long gone.  You want to show results!  You want to show how you increased the company’s profit margin, or how you shaped your administrative team, created tools for increased production/efficiency, etc.  You will still need to include specifics about the skills you have and can use examples of job duties; but focus more on the results – it’s what the employer wants to see!

DON'T depend solely on Spell Check for spelling errors
Always have someone proofread your resume. A second pair of eyes will ensure that your resume is free of spelling errors and typos.

And remember, a resume is a work in progress! A dynamic resume is what will lead you to the light at the end of the job search tunnel!

                                                                                                                      -Sunny + Sassy