10 Do’s and Dont’s of a Good Resume
Categories: Resumes
A good resume is key to finding a job in Alberta. There are a few key tips to keep in mind when writing a resume to help you find a job. Here are 10 Do’s and 10 Don’ts to help write a good resume.
Don’t
Don’t include your high school/secondary school grades or course loads. Providing too much detail about secondary education is not necessary on a professional resume.
Don’t use too unusual fonts or formatting. Simple fonts and clear formatting will make it easier for employer to scan you resume and pick out important points.
Don’t share inapplicable hobbies or interests. A few interest outside of work can make you seem well-rounded, but too much information can take up too much valuable space on your resume.
Don’t make spelling or grammar mistakes. Spelling and grammar mistakes make it easy to employers to find a reason to reject your resume.
Don’t include a photo or too much personal information. Canadian resumes do not usually include a photograph or information like marital status.
Don’t use complex technical language or jargon that is difficult to understand. The person who reads your resume may not be an expert in your field, so avoid more jargon than is necessary.
Don’t be too long. Unless you are a professional with many years of experience, there is usually no need for a resume to be over 3 pages long - 2 pages is usually best.
Don’t oversell your skills or experience. Be sure that your accomplishments and experience are applicable to the job and are more-or-less in line with your professional level.
Don’t undersell your skills or experience. Take credit where you deserve it and clearly explain any initiatives that you have overseen.
Do
Do be concise. Clear explanations of your experience and accoplishments can set you apart from the competition.
Do remember to include your name and contact information. Make sure you supply a number and email address that you can easily be reached on.
Do make sure that you get a professional email address. It is best avoid email addresses that include do information or inappropriate nicknames.
Do follow the instructions in your job application. Some jobs require specific resume formats and you should follow the instructions to the letter.
Do make a custom resume for each application. It is fine to have a base template for your resume, but each resume you send out should be tailored to the particulars of the job you are applying for.
Do organize your resume under clear headings. Headings like education and previous employment make it easy for employers to find relevant information and set you apart from your competition.
Do make sure that you send your resume in a standard format. When sending a resume online or by email, most employers use a standard format like PDF or DOC (ms-word).
Do use nice stationary. It is best to print copies on your resume on clean, crisp heavy white paper to create a professional image.
Do include a cover letter. Unless the job application specifically asks you not to, it is best to include a concise cover letter for your resume.
Do use “action words.” Employers are scanning for keywords “maintained,” “managed,” and “initiated.”
Where to find more information
Find more information by asking a question in the Alberta Employment Discussion Area.
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