The Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing

Your resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer. It's your personal marketing document, designed to highlight your skills, experience, and accomplishments.

However, creating an impactful resume requires more than just listing your previous jobs—it’s an art and a science. This newsletter dives deep into the essential do’s and don’ts of resume writing, ensuring your resume not only stands out but also avoids common pitfalls. 

The Do's of Resume Writing 

1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job 

Do: Customize your resume for each job application. Use keywords from the job description and highlight the skills and experiences that match the role. 

• Example: If applying for a marketing manager role, emphasize your campaign management, analytics and marketing skills. 

2. Start With a Strong Summary 

Do: Write a concise professional summary or objective at the top of your resume. It should briefly showcase who you are, your key skills, and what you bring to the role. 

• Example: "Results-driven marketing professional with 8+ years of experience in digital strategy, team leadership, and brand development." 

3. Use Action Verbs 

Do: Begin your bullet points with strong action verbs such as "led," "developed," "optimized," or "analyzed." Action verbs convey confidence and authority. 

• Example: Instead of "Responsible for managing social media," write "Developed and executed a social media strategy that increased engagement by 45%." 

4. Quantify Your Achievements 

Do: Include measurable results to back up your achievements. Numbers make your claims more tangible and credible. 

• Example: "Increased sales revenue by 20% within six months by implementing targeted email campaigns." 

5. Focus on Relevant Experience 

Do: Highlight roles and responsibilities that directly relate to the position you’re applying for. Tailor your experiences to show you’re a perfect fit for the job. 

• Tip: For unrelated experience, focus on transferable skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, or communication. 

6. Keep It Clean and Professional 

Do: Use a clean layout with plenty of white space. Choose a professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, and keep the font size between 10–12 points. 

7. Proofread Thoroughly 

Do: Review your resume multiple times for grammatical and spelling errors. A polished resume shows attention to detail. 

• Pro Tip: Use tools like Grammarly or ask a friend to review your resume for errors you might have missed. 

8. Optimize for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) 

Do: Many companies use ATS to screen resumes. Ensure your resume includes keywords from the job description, avoids excessive graphics, and is saved as a PDF or Word document. 

9. Keep It Concise 

Do: Limit your resume to one page for early-career professionals or two pages for those with extensive experience. 

The Don’ts of Resume Writing 

1. Don’t Include Irrelevant Personal Information 

Don’t: Mention your age, marital status, religion, or political affiliations unless required for the job. These details are unnecessary and can lead to bias. 

• Example: Avoid: "Married with two children, loves hiking." 

2. Don’t Use a Generic Resume 

Don’t: Send the same resume to every employer. Generic resumes fail to capture the unique qualifications each role demands. 

3. Don’t Overuse Buzzwords 

Don’t: Overload your resume with generic phrases like "creative thinker," "results-driven," or "innovative marketer." These buzzwords don’t differentiate you from other candidates.

Showcase your skills and impact with specific examples that demonstrate your abilities.

Example: Instead of saying "results-driven marketer," write:

• Increased website traffic by 45% in six months through an optimized content strategy and SEO improvements.

Instead of saying "innovative marketer," write:

• Developed and executed a viral social media campaign that generated 1M+ impressions and increased engagement by 70% 

4. Don’t Include a Photo (Unless Required) 

Don’t: In most countries, including a photo is unnecessary and can lead to unconscious bias. Check the norms in your region before adding one. 

5. Don’t Lie or Exaggerate 

Don’t: Embellish your achievements or responsibilities. Employers often verify claims, and dishonesty can damage your reputation. 

• Example: If you were an assistant, don’t claim you were a manager. 

6. Don’t List References 

Don’t: Write "References available upon request." This is implied and takes up valuable space. 

7. Don’t Use an Unprofessional Email Address 

Don’t: Use personal email addresses like cutiepie123@gmail.com. Create a professional email with your name, e.g., johndoe@gmail.com. 

8. Don’t Go Overboard With Design 

Don’t: Use flashy graphics, colors, or complex layouts unless you’re in a creative field like graphic design. Stick to simplicity and readability. 

9. Don’t Include Salary Expectations 

Don’t: Discuss salary or benefits in your resume. Save this for negotiation after you’ve received an offer. 

Final Thoughts 

Crafting a resume is about striking the right balance between showcasing your skills and presenting them in a clear, professional manner. By following these do’s and don’ts, you’ll create a resume that stands out to recruiters and hiring managers. Remember, your resume is a living document—update it regularly to reflect your most recent achievements and skills. 

Happy job hunting! 

To your success,

Harliien Man