Resume Dos and Don'ts: 16 Tips for Crafting the Perfect Resume

Read time: 10 minutes

When it comes to resumes, you have seven seconds or less to catch the attention of a recruiter or a hiring manager and convince them to interview you. 

A relevant resume shouldn’t just document your work experience. It should clearly and concisely highlight your unique value and fit for the role.

If you’re like most job seekers we work with, you might feel overwhelmed or exhausted by the surplus of advice on resume writing. 

So, let’s simplify it.

Here are 16 resume dos and don’ts to consider when creating or revising your resume.

16 Resume Dos and Don'ts to Keep in Mind During Resume Writing

Creating a standout resume requires knowing what to include and what to avoid. Here are 16 essential tips, divided into dos and don'ts, to help you craft the perfect resume that will catch the eye of hiring managers:

Resume Dos

Let's start with what you should do when writing your resume. These tips will help you create a strong, effective resume that can get you interviews.

1. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job Posting

Always customize your resume for each job you apply for. This means reading the job descriptions carefully and making sure your resume reflects what the employer is looking for.

Highlight your most relevant experience, skills, and achievements. Make it obvious why you're the perfect fit.

By tailoring your resume, you can show that you're truly interested in the position. It also indicates that you're willing to put in the effort to match your qualifications to the job.

2. Use the Correct Resume Format

You should choose the right resume format based on the job you're applying for. The best resume formats include chronological, functional, and combination.

A chronological resume format lists your work history in reverse order. It is great for showing career progression.

Meanwhile, a functional resume focuses on skills and experience. It is ideal if you have gaps in your employment history or are navigating a career pivot.

Finally, a combination resume merges both formats. It highlights your skills while providing a chronological work history.

3. Use Clear, Concise Language

Be brief yet impactful when writing your resume. Hiring managers often skim resumes, so make sure your points are easy to understand at a glance.

You can use short sentences and clear, concise language.

You should also add strong action verbs and bullet points to make your achievements stand out. 

4. Quantify Achievements

Numbers speak louder than words, so use them to paint a clear picture of your capabilities.

For example, instead of saying you "improved customer satisfaction," mention something like, "increased customer satisfaction scores by 15%."

When you quantify your achievements, you provide specific evidence of your skills and successes. This makes you stand out in the job search process.

5. Optimize for Keywords

Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. These systems look for specific keywords related to the job.

To beat these systems, you must carefully read the job description and include relevant keywords in your resume. Use them in your resume summary, skills section, and work experience. 

Doing so increases the chances that your resume will be seen by a human recruiter.

6. Add a Strong Summary Statement

Your summary statement is your elevator pitch. It should be a brief, compelling paragraph at the top of your resume that highlights your most important skills and experiences. 

This is your chance to grab the recruiter’s attention right away.

Make sure your resume summary is specific and relevant to the job you are applying for. It can set the tone for the rest of your resume and encourage the hiring manager to keep reading.

7. List Certifications and Relevant Skills

You should list any certifications that demonstrate you're the perfect fit for the role. These can include general skills or industry-specific certifications, like a project management certificate.

Additionally, include a skills section that highlights hard and soft skills. Hard skills come from training or work experience like sales knowledge, whereas soft skills include communication and teamwork. You can show soft skills through your achievements.

You can also add transferable skills to your resume if you're making a career change. For example, if you're a previous teacher aiming to become an account executive, you can mention presenting a successful project as one of your achievements. This proves that you can present sales proposals and conduct product demos, which are crucial for the AE role.

8. Proofread

Spelling and grammar mistakes can be a significant turnoff. Always proofread your resume to keep it error-free and professional-looking. Use software like Grammarly to speed up the task.

Better yet, ask someone else to review it. They might catch errors you and the software might have missed.

Resume Don'ts

Now that you know what to include in your resume, let's look at what to avoid. Avoid these common mistakes to make your resume stronger and more appealing to recruiters or hiring managers:

1. Include Generic Skills

Skip the generic skills like “good communication” or “team player.” Instead, demonstrate these skills through your experiences and achievements.

You can highlight specific tools, technologies, or techniques you are proficient in. For example, instead of saying "good with computers," mention specific software like "proficient in Microsoft Excel." This gives employers a clear idea of what you can bring to the role.

2. Add Unnecessary Information

Do not waste valuable resume space with irrelevant details and adjectives, like "driven" or "results-oriented." Quality always trumps quantity.

Stick to experiences, skills, and keywords that pertain to the job you're applying for.

If a piece of information doesn’t support your qualifications for the role, leave it out. This keeps your resume focused and relevant.

3. Mention Personal Details

You should avoid adding personal details, such as your age, marital status, religion, or political beliefs, to your resume.

Including this information can lead to bias and is generally not necessary for evaluating your qualifications.

4. Copy the Job Listing Description Word for Word

While it’s important to include keywords from the job description, don’t simply copy the job listing into your resume. Hiring managers can spot this easily, and it can make you look lazy.

Instead, use the job description as a guide to tailor your resume. You must highlight your relevant skills and experiences in your own words. 

You can also show how your background aligns with the requirements and responsibilities of the job.

5. Use Unprofessional Fonts and Designs

While creativity can be a plus in some fields, overly artistic fonts and designs can detract from the content. Avoid them as much as possible.

Always choose readability over creativity. Stick to professional fonts, like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri. For the design, you can use a consistent format with clear headings and bullet points.

6. Get Caught Up in the One-page Rule

There's a common myth that resumes must be only one page long. While it's good to be concise, don’t sacrifice important information or readability just to fit your resume on one page.

Prioritize the most important detail at the top, and ensure your resume is easy to skim.

It’s acceptable to use two pages, especially if you have extensive experience or relevant skills. A well-organized two-page resume is better than a cramped one-page document that leaves out significant details.

7. Include Your GPA

Unless you are a recent graduate with little work experience, including your GPA is usually unnecessary. Employers are more interested in your professional achievements and skills.

If you want to include your GPA, only do so if it is exceptionally high and relevant to the job. Your focus should be on your work experience, skills, and any relevant projects or internships.

8. Lie or Exaggerate

Honesty is the best policy. Don’t fabricate or exaggerate your experiences or skills. Be truthful about what you can bring to the table.

Employers can easily verify your information, and being caught in a lie can cost you the job.

Resume Dos and Don'ts Checklist

Not sure if your resume checks all the boxes? Use the checklist below to evaluate it and identify areas for improvement:

Purpose and Content

[ ] Does the resume clearly convey why I am a strong candidate for my target role?

[ ] Is the content focused on experience and skills relevant to my target role?

[ ] Are irrelevant details and experiences omitted?

Header and Summary

[ ] Does the header include professional contact information and a clear job title?

[ ] Does the summary highlight key points of your relevant experience and value?

[ ] Is there a personalized statement tailored to the company (if applicable)?

Experience and Achievements

[ ] Are job titles and experiences tailored to my target role?

[ ] Are bullet points concise, impactful, and quantified where possible?

[ ] Is there more emphasis on achievements and results rather than just job duties?

[ ] Are only recent and relevant work experiences included (last 10-15 years)?

[ ] Have gaps in employment or other potential red flags been identified and addressed?

Skills and Certifications

[ ] Are relevant hard skills prioritized and listed first?

[ ] Are language proficiencies and technical skills clearly listed?

[ ] Are generic and expected soft skills excluded?

[ ] Are certifications relevant and up-to-date?

Education and Professional Development

[ ] Is the education section concise and placed at the end?

[ ] Are only pertinent educational qualifications included (excluding high school)?

Formatting and Readability

[ ] Is the resume of an appropriate length (usually one to two pages)?

[ ] Is the formatting consistent and professional?

[ ] Is the resume visually appealing and easy to skim through?

[ ] Is there adequate white space and consistent margins?

[ ] Is the resume saved with a professional file name?

Grammar and Spelling

[ ] Is the resume free from grammatical and spelling errors?

[ ] Have I used Grammarly or a similar tool to double-check?

Keyword Optimization and Customization

[ ] Are relevant industry-specific and job-related keywords incorporated throughout the resume?

[ ] Is the resume customized to the specific role and company?

Professionalism and Detail

[ ] Is the email address and any included social media professional?

[ ] Are action verbs used to start each statement?

[ ] Is the tense consistent and appropriate across the resume?

Additional Considerations

[ ] Has the resume been reviewed by a mentor, colleague, or professional for feedback?

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Haven't found what you're looking for? Fill out our contact form, and we'll get in touch with you soon!

FAQs About Resume Dos and Don'ts

What are common resume mistakes that job seekers should avoid?

When writing your resume, you should avoid listing irrelevant skills, failing to proofread, and adding unnecessary personal details. Do not make these common mistakes to keep your resume professional and relevant.

What is the ideal resume format?

The ideal resume format depends on your experience and the job you're applying for. Chronological is best to show your career progression, functional for those with an employment gap, and a combination format to highlight your skills and experience.

How long should a resume be?

A resume should typically be one to two pages. Make sure it includes all relevant information without being overly lengthy or cluttered.