Things Not to Include On Your Resume
Social Security Number: Prevent identity theft – DO NOT put this on your resume, EVER.
Date of Birth
Present Date: This will be placed in a cover letter.
Picture: Provide only if it is essential for a job, such as in modeling or theatre.
Race, Religion: Include only if it is part of the main thrust or Political Affiliation of your
resume or a bona-fide occupational qualification.
Personal Data: (Such as height, weight, marital status).
Salary Requirements: If requested by employer, include in your cover letter.
References: Always make your references available upon request. You want to control the
selection of references as well as alert your references that you are applying for a specific
position and that they may be contacted. Consider developing a reference sheet instead. See
Appendix 3 for sample reference sheet.
Positive Aspects of High Impact Resumes
Immediately impress the reader
Be visually appealing and easy-to-read (concise)
Indicate your career aspirations and goals
Focus on the employer's need
Communicate your job-related skills -- not past or present job duties
Stress your productivity in terms of your potential in solving employers' problems
Communicate you are a responsible and purposeful person who gets things done
Most Common Resume Pitfalls
Too long, short or condensed
Poor layout and physical appearance
Misspellings, bad grammar, poor punctuation and wordiness
Lengthy phrases, sentences and paragraphs
Too slick, boastful, amateurish, and "gimmicky"
Dishonest
Poorly typed and reproduced
Irrelevant information (text does not support objective)
Critical categories missing (i.e., Where's the Education section?)
Hard to understand or requires too much interpretation (unclear objective)
Unexplained time gaps
Does not convey accomplishments
Lacks credibility and content
Quick Guide to Resume Writing
The one who gets the job is not always the most qualified person. Often it’s the person who knows
the tricks on how to get the job! People are often eliminated on the basis of a poor letter and resume.
Employers don’t actually read resumes ... they skim through them. Your resume advertises who
you are. It used to grab an employer’s attention. Use margins and good spacing to make sure it’s
easy to skim through.
Don’t use too much data. Listing various dates or numbers makes it hard to skim through.
Action Verbs are the key. Don't use the verb "to be". Instead of "I did ... I was ... I am ..." use
verbs such as I initiated, created, developed, instructed, counseled, negotiated ..."
Highlight Skills, especially those which transfer from one situation to another. The fact that you
coordinated a student organization leads one to suspect that you could coordinate other things as
well.
Use your space wisely. Don't crowd your text ... it gives the employer the idea that your resume is
hard to read. If it appears cluttered, it’s easier to just toss your resume into trash or the “No” pile.
Be honest!-ALWAYS. The resume doesn’t need to list all details. It’s inappropriate to say that you
can handle certain responsibilities or have experience with certain tasks when you don’t. Too many
applicants think they have to exaggerate what they can do in order to get hired. Instead, make your
resume believable.
Don’t use negative words. Never apologize for lack of experience or having weaknesses. Stay
positive, celebrate strengths, and eliminate any negative words.
Explain your relevant experiences. Gear your resume to the type of job you are seeking ... tweek
your resume to focus on each job description you are applying for. EXAMPLE: If you are applying
for a Child Care Counselor job, devote more space to your experience as a camp counselor. But if
you are applying for a job as a Manager Trainee, condense your camp counselor experience and
emphasize your organizational and supervisory abilities instead.
Be prepared for a phone call if the employer is interested. Most employers call if they are
interested. Most employers call to schedule an interview ... it’s rare that they will write. Make sure
your area code and telephone number is indicated on the resume.
List of Action Verbs
accelerated developed interviewed Revealed
accomplished directed launched reviewed
achieved dramatized lead revised
adapted earned maintained scheduled
advised effected managed scouted
administered elected motivated set up
analyzed eliminated negotiated solved
appraised encouraged observed specified
approved enjoyed organized spoke
assessed enlarged originated state
awarded established oversaw straightened
bolstered evaluated participated streamlined
briefed excelled performed structured
budgeted expanded persuaded submitted
caused expedited pinpointed suggested
communicated financed pioneered supervised
compared forecast planned supported
completed formulated prepared tabulated
composed founded processed taught
conceived gathered provided trained
conducted generated qualified translated
controlled guided raised transformed
convinced implemented rated traveled
coordinated improvised recognized tutored
counseled identified recommended updated
created included reconciled unified
delegated increased recruited utilized
demonstrated influenced reduced visualized
designed instructed reorganized
determined interpreted rescued
Self-Descriptive Words
active diplomatic mature reliable
adaptable disciplined methodical resourceful
aggressive discreet objective respective
alert economical optimistic responsible
ambitious efficient opportunistic self-confident
analytical energetic organized self-reliant
assertive enterprising original sensible
attentive enthusiastic patient sense-of-humor
broad-minded extroverted perceptive sincere
capable fair personable sophisticated
competent friendly pleasant stable
competitive forceful positive successful
confident helpful practical supportive
conscientious honest precise systematic
consistent imaginative productive tactful
constructive independent prudent talented
creative industrious quick teachable
dependable inventive rational tolerant
descriptive logical realistic trustworthy
determined loyal reflective versatile
will relocate