Resume Samples, Resume Writing Tips

Resume Writing Tips

While you can’t really create a “perfect” résumé, you can avoid creating the typical cliché résumé. Almost everyone out there has the same basic type of résumé, and none of them will really stand out.

You need your résumé to stand out from all of the other hundreds, if not thousands of pieces of paper that the interviewer will have to sort through.

But you have to make sure your résumé doesn’t stand out too much. As with all things, you must practice moderation. Unless you are applying for an extremely creative position like an artist or musician, it’s probably best to make sure your résumé is somewhat conservative.

Don’t use brightly colored paper or print any graphics on it.  Use a high-quality white or off white paper. Make sure the fonts used are very readable and don’t hurt the eyes.  Organize everything very well.

Whatever you do, don’t follow the standard résumé style that you see in most job search guides.  Almost everyone will be doing this, and yours will end up looking like every other résumé in the stack.

Most résumé writing guides recommend the same standard format. While the format can vary a bit, they usually share the same basic traits.  Some of those traits you will need to keep, but a few are very unnecessary and should not be used.

The things you should keep (be specific):

  • Objective
  • Education
  • Experience
  • Qualifications

The things to leave out:

  • Hobbies (Not terribly relevant for most employers.)
  • References (If employers want them, they will ask.)
  • Desired Salary (This should be left open to negotiation.)
  • Vital Statistics (This is irrelevant unless you’re applying to be an actor, model, or position where it is appropriate to list.)