Crafting the Perfect Resume: Do’s and Don’ts for Modern Job Seekers

Your resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer, so it’s crucial to get it right. Whether you’re new to the job market or looking to make a career change, knowing what to include—and what to avoid—can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll explore the do’s and don’ts of crafting a resume that not only gets noticed but also increases your chances of landing an interview.

Do Highlight Your Most Relevant Experiences

Tailor Your Resume for Each Job Application

One of the most effective ways to catch a recruiter’s eye is by highlighting the experiences that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Generic resumes that try to cover all bases often end up missing the mark. Instead, customize your resume for each application by emphasizing the skills, experiences, and accomplishments that align with the job description.

For example, if you’re applying for a marketing position, your resume should prioritize your experiences with campaign management, content creation, and social media strategy, rather than focusing on unrelated job roles.

Use Action Verbs and Quantifiable Achievements

To make your relevant experiences stand out, use strong action verbs like “managed,” “developed,” “designed,” or “led.” Pair these with quantifiable achievements—numbers, percentages, or any metric that shows the impact of your work. This not only highlights your skills but also demonstrates your value to potential employers.

For instance, instead of saying “responsible for increasing sales,” say “increased sales by 30% through the implementation of a new digital marketing strategy.”

Do Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Understand How ATS Works

Most large companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before they ever reach a human recruiter. These systems scan your resume for keywords that match the job description, so it’s vital to optimize your resume accordingly.

Incorporate Keywords from the Job Description

Carefully read the job posting and identify the key skills, experiences, and qualifications the employer is looking for. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your resume. For example, if a job posting mentions “project management,” “data analysis,” and “team leadership,” ensure these terms appear in your resume if they align with your experience.

Avoid Complex Formatting

While creative resume designs might look great, they can often confuse ATS software. Stick to simple, clean formatting with standard fonts and bullet points. Use headings like “Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills” to help the ATS and human readers navigate your resume easily.

Don’t Include Anything Confidential

Be Mindful of Sensitive Information

It’s crucial to avoid including confidential or proprietary information from previous employers in your resume. This not only violates trust but can also lead to legal issues.

Focus on Your Contributions, Not Specifics

Instead of detailing specific proprietary methods or data, focus on your personal contributions and the outcomes of your work. For instance, rather than saying “Managed a $5M project for a client at XYZ Corporation,” you could say, “Managed a multi-million-dollar project, delivering on time and within budget.”

Don’t Include Random, Unrelated, or Off-Putting Hobbies

Keep It Professional

While it’s okay to include hobbies that demonstrate relevant skills or cultural fit, avoid listing random or unrelated activities that don’t add value to your application.

Select Hobbies Wisely

For example, if you’re applying for a job in a creative field, mentioning a hobby like photography or graphic design can be beneficial. However, listing hobbies like “playing video games” or “watching TV” might not leave the best impression unless they are directly relevant to the job.

Don’t Try to Hide Gaps

Be Honest About Employment Gaps

Job seekers often worry that employment gaps will reflect poorly on them. However, trying to hide these gaps can backfire. It’s better to be upfront and provide a brief explanation for any time off from your career, whether it was for further education, caregiving responsibilities, or personal reasons.

Highlight How You Used the Time Productively

If possible, highlight any skills or experiences you gained during this time. For example, if you took time off to care for a family member, mention any volunteer work or courses you completed during that period. This shows that you remained proactive and engaged, even when not formally employed.

Don’t Use Negative Phrases

Keep the Language Positive

Your resume should project confidence and professionalism. Avoid using negative phrases or self-deprecating language that could undermine your credibility. Phrases like “I was only a junior member” or “I failed to meet a few targets” should be replaced with positive language that emphasizes your strengths.

Reframe Challenges as Learning Opportunities

If you need to address challenges or failures, frame them as learning experiences that contributed to your growth. For example, instead of writing “Struggled to meet sales targets,” you could say “Gained valuable experience in a challenging sales environment, leading to improved skills in customer negotiation and closing deals.”

Don’t Spend All Your Time on the Design

Focus on Content Over Aesthetics

While an attractive resume design can catch the eye, content is king. Don’t get so caught up in the design elements that you neglect the substance of your resume. Your priority should be clear, concise content that effectively communicates your qualifications.

Stick to Professional Layouts

Use a simple, professional layout that is easy to read. Avoid overly artistic fonts or complicated graphics that might distract from the content. A well-structured resume with a clean design will appeal to both ATS and human recruiters.

Do: Use an Online Resume Outline

Leverage Professional Templates

Using an online resume outline or template can help ensure that your resume follows the standard format that recruiters expect. These templates often come with sections for work experience, education, skills, and more, making it easier for you to organize your information effectively.

Customize the Template

While templates are a great starting point, make sure to customize them to reflect your personal style and the specific job you’re applying for. Tailor the content within the template to highlight your most relevant experiences and achievements.

Do: Be Specific

Provide Clear Examples

Being specific in your resume helps employers understand exactly what you’ve accomplished. Avoid vague statements like “worked on various projects” or “contributed to team success.” Instead, provide specific examples that detail your role and the impact you made.

Quantify Your Achievements

Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying “Improved customer satisfaction,” say “Increased customer satisfaction scores by 15% over six months through targeted service improvements.”

Do: Keep Your Resume Crisp

Stick to the Essentials

A resume should be a concise summary of your most relevant qualifications. Keep it focused by including only the information that directly supports your application. Aim for one to two pages in length, depending on your experience level.

Use Bullet Points for Clarity

Bullet points are a great way to keep your resume crisp and easy to read. They help break down information into digestible chunks and make it easier for recruiters to quickly scan your resume for key details.

Do: Highlight Your Social Work

Showcase Relevant Volunteer Experience

If you’ve been involved in social work or volunteer activities, include them in your resume—especially if they’ve helped you develop skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. This not only shows your commitment to social causes but also highlights your ability to take initiative and work in diverse environments.

Link Social Work to Job Skills

For example, if you volunteered to manage social media for a non-profit, you could list this under your work experience or skills section, emphasizing your ability to create content, engage with audiences, and analyze engagement metrics.

Don’t: Make Your Resume Too Fancy

Avoid Overly Elaborate Designs

While it’s tempting to use elaborate fonts or graphics to make your resume stand out, this can often do more harm than good. Overly fancy designs can be distracting and may not translate well when viewed on different devices or printed out.

Prioritize Readability

The primary goal of your resume is to communicate your qualifications clearly. Stick to professional, easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, and use a simple layout that emphasizes content over style.

Don’t Include Irrelevant Information

Stay Focused on the Job at Hand

Your resume should be a targeted document that showcases why you’re the best fit for a specific job. Avoid including irrelevant information, such as outdated skills, jobs that have no bearing on the role you’re applying for, or personal details like your full address or marital status.

Align Content with the Job Description

Review the job description closely and ensure that every piece of information on your resume aligns with what the employer is seeking. If a particular job experience or skill isn’t relevant to the role, consider omitting it or placing it in a less prominent position.

Don’t Omit Key Skills and Achievements

Identify Core Competencies

Before you start writing your resume, identify the key skills and competencies that are most important for the job. These might include technical skills, soft skills, or specific experiences that are critical to the role. Ensure these are highlighted prominently in your resume.

Don’t Underestimate Soft Skills

While technical skills are important, don’t overlook the value of soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Employers often look for these qualities, especially in roles that require collaboration and client interaction. Make sure to include examples that demonstrate these skills in action.

Do: Keep Your Resume Up to Date

Regularly Refresh Your Resume

Even if you’re not currently job hunting, it’s important to keep your resume up to date

You never know when an opportunity might arise, so having an updated resume ready to go can save you time and stress. Regularly updating your resume also ensures that your most recent and relevant experiences are highlighted, giving you a competitive edge.

Add New Skills and Experiences

As you acquire new skills, certifications, or job experiences, make sure to add them to your resume. This is especially important if you’ve taken on new responsibilities at your current job or completed professional development courses. Keeping your resume current will make it easier to tailor it to specific job opportunities when they arise.

Review and Edit for Accuracy

Regularly review your resume for accuracy, ensuring that all dates, job titles, and descriptions are correct. Also, check that your contact information is up to date, so potential employers can easily reach you. Errors or outdated information can make a poor impression, so it’s worth taking the time to get everything right.

Do: Include a Professional Summary

Create a Strong Opening Statement

Your professional summary is one of the first things recruiters will see, so make it count. This brief section should highlight your most important qualifications and career achievements, giving employers a snapshot of what you bring to the table.

Tailor Your Summary for Each Job

Customize your professional summary for each job application by aligning it with the key qualifications and requirements of the position. This not only makes your resume more relevant but also helps you stand out as a candidate who is specifically suited for the role.

For example, if you’re applying for a project management position, your summary might focus on your experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering projects on time and within budget.

Don’t Include Outdated Information

Remove Old Job Roles and Skills

Your resume should focus on the most recent and relevant experiences that demonstrate your qualifications for the job you’re applying for. If you have more than 10-15 years of experience, consider removing older job roles that don’t add significant value to your current job search.

Update Your Education Section

If you’ve been in the workforce for several years, it’s often unnecessary to include details like your GPA or extracurricular activities from college. Instead, focus on your professional achievements and any continuing education or certifications that are relevant to the job.

Do: Include Keywords from Job Descriptions

Align Your Resume with Job Postings

One of the best ways to optimize your resume for both ATS and human readers is to include keywords from the job descriptions you’re targeting. This helps ensure that your resume gets past the initial screening process and resonates with hiring managers.

Avoid Keyword Stuffing

While it’s important to include relevant keywords, avoid keyword stuffing, which can make your resume sound unnatural. Instead, integrate these keywords seamlessly into your descriptions of skills and experiences. This will make your resume more readable and more likely to pass through both ATS filters and human scrutiny.

Don’t Include Salary Information

Avoid Discussing Salary Expectations

Your resume is not the place to discuss salary expectations or your previous earnings. Including this information can limit your negotiating power later in the hiring process. Salary discussions should be reserved for the interview stage, or when an offer is made.

Focus on Your Qualifications

Instead of mentioning salary, use your resume to focus on your qualifications, experience, and the value you can bring to the company. This will set you up for a more favorable salary negotiation when the time comes.

Do: Proofread Multiple Times

Eliminate Typos and Grammatical Errors

Typos and grammatical errors can create a negative impression, suggesting that you lack attention to detail. Always proofread your resume multiple times before submitting it, and consider asking a trusted friend or mentor to review it as well. Fresh eyes can often catch mistakes that you might have overlooked.

Use Tools to Assist with Proofreading

Tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Word’s spell check can help identify errors, but don’t rely solely on these tools. It’s still important to read through your resume carefully to ensure that it accurately reflects your professional skills and experience.

Do: Keep Your Resume Consistent

Maintain a Uniform Format

Consistency is key when it comes to your resume. Use the same font style and size throughout, and ensure that your headings and bullet points are aligned. A consistent format not only looks more professional but also makes your resume easier to read.

Align Your Resume with Your Online Profiles

Make sure that the information on your resume matches what you have on professional networking sites like LinkedIn. Inconsistencies between your resume and your online profiles can raise red flags for recruiters. Regularly update both to ensure that they are aligned.

Don’t Include Personal Pronouns

Use Impersonal Language

Your resume should be written in an impersonal style, avoiding the use of personal pronouns like “I,” “me,” or “my.” Instead, start sentences with action verbs and keep descriptions focused on your achievements. This style is more professional and places emphasis on your skills and experiences rather than on you as an individual.

Example:

• Instead of: “I managed a team of five sales associates.”
• Use: “Managed a team of five sales associates.”

Do: Add a Skills Section

Highlight Your Core Competencies

Including a skills section in your resume allows you to highlight your core competencies in a concise format. This section should include both technical skills (such as software proficiency) and soft skills (such as communication and leadership).

Match Skills to Job Requirements

When filling out the skills section, make sure to align your skills with the requirements listed in the job description. This makes it easier for recruiters and ATS to quickly identify whether you possess the qualifications they’re looking for.

Don’t Forget to Include Contact Information

Provide Updated Contact Details

Always include your current phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile on your resume. This information should be easy to find, typically placed at the top of your resume. Make sure your email address is professional; avoid using personal or humorous email addresses.

Omit Personal Information

There’s no need to include personal information such as your age, marital status, or photograph (unless specifically requested by the employer). Focus on professional details that are relevant to the job application.

Do: Keep Your Resume to the Point

Use Concise Language

Recruiters often have to sift through dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes, so it’s important to keep yours concise and to the point. Use clear, direct language and avoid unnecessary jargon or overly complex sentences.

Prioritize Important Information

Make sure that the most important information, such as your most recent job experience and key skills, is easy to find. This increases the chances that a recruiter will notice your qualifications quickly.

Do: Follow Up After Submitting Your Resume

Send a Follow-Up Email

A few days after submitting your resume, consider sending a follow-up email to the employer or recruiter. This shows your continued interest in the position and can help keep your application at the top of their mind.

Be Professional and Courteous

In your follow-up email, be polite and express enthusiasm for the role. Keep the message brief and to the point, and avoid being pushy. A well-timed, courteous follow-up can make a positive impression and set you apart from other candidates.