5 Resume Do’s and Do Not’s

When searching for employment, whether it be securing a part-time job to support your studies or taking the initial steps in a new career path, one crucial aspect to consider is the creation of a well-crafted and tailored resume. For many individuals, the prospect of compiling a resume can be overwhelming, particularly if it is your first time developing one or if you are new to Canada, where resume standards may differ significantly from other regions around the world. For instance, in several European countries like Poland and Italy, including a photograph on your CV is customary. However, in Canada, attaching a photo may cause confusion for recruiters unless it is relevant to specific roles such as modeling or on-screen reporting.

In this article, I will outline some essential resume do's and don'ts to assist you in navigating the basics of resume writing. Additionally, stay tuned for future posts on resume design, templates, and more comprehensive guidelines. Keep in mind that different industries may have specific formatting preferences, so conducting further research beyond general advice is advisable.

If you are a current or former student of Ashton College, you can have your resume reviewed by the Student Success Coordinator. Seeking input from multiple sources can be highly beneficial in fine-tuning your resume for success.

5 Resume Do’s  

1. Do limit your resume to 2 pages – only recent and related job experience and education need to be mentioned based on the job description. 
2. Do tailor your resume for each job application – this can even include changing how you write about your work experience or what achievements you include. 
3. Do be honest – while this seems obvious, you would be surprised at the amount of people who will include a skill they do not process or lie about their level in a previous role. 
4. Do quantify your achievements – use firm numbers that the employer will understand and be impressed by. For example, how many people you supervised, by what you achieved at upselling a customer (great to use if you only have retail or POS experience), by what percentage you increased sales or engagement, etc. 
5. Use simple and action verbs – the person reading your resume, such as a hiring manager or recruiter, may not have the same expertise as the field you are trying to get a job in. Using persuasive action verbs can help them understand your skills and how you were an asset to precious employers.  

5 Resume Do Not’s 

1. Do not use an inappropriate email address – do you remember the Hotmail account you created as a child? Yeah, do not use that one be sure you have a professional email address, even just your name at gmail.com will work well. 
2. Do not include unnecessary personal information – all you need is your name, contact details such as email address and phone number, your LinkedIn URL if your profile is up to date and polished, and maybe your current job title if it is relevant to the job you are applying for.  
3. Do not use personal pronouns – your resume should be written in the third person; first-person pronouns should be saved for your cover letter. 
4. Do not simply list job responsibilities – instead use action words to list your accomplishments and provide specific examples, your job title will give enough information about your job responsibilities. 
5. Do not include references – an employer only requires references if they are seriously considering hiring you. Keep references on a separate sheet and provide them only when they are specifically requested. 

 

Resumes take time and effort to get right, be sure to set aside undistracted time to job hunt, do the research, tailor your resume, and proofread it many times. Start your job hunting on a job search website like Jooble today!  

 

Disclaimer 

The information contained in this post is considered true and accurate as of the publication date. However, the accuracy of this information may be impacted by changes in circumstances that occur after the time of publication. Ashton College assumes no liability for any error or omissions in the information contained in this post or any other post in our blog.