{"id":20142,"date":"2022-09-22T11:47:31","date_gmt":"2022-09-22T11:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/?p=20142"},"modified":"2024-03-17T09:53:48","modified_gmt":"2024-03-17T09:53:48","slug":"resume-writing-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/resume-writing-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 20 Resume Writing Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:150%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}<\/style><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step toward landing a new job is to impress an employer with your resume. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because resumes are usually sent electronically or dropped off with the clerical staff, you cannot be there to answer questions or clarify things while the employer reads it. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a standalone representation of ourselves, it is important to make the resume the best that it can be so that we can reach the next step!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a condensed version of our multiple <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/?s=resume\"><b>resume-writing articles on LinguaBlog<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, here are 20 top tips for writing resumes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>1. Keep it relevant<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The number one most important tip for <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"resume writing\" href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/resume-writing\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">resume writing<\/a> is to make sure that everything written is relevant. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should only include information which relates to the specific job you are applying to. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means editing and restructuring your resume each time you submit it someplace new.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employers can receive hundreds of applications for each position, so they spend very little time looking over each individual resume.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It can be tempting to include every achievement or position that you are proud of in a resume, but the cruel truth is that the employer is likely to dump your resume if it includes a lot of irrelevant information.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Achievements such as high school feats, jobs from ten years ago, or the part-time job at the flower shop are not things that make you look like a more desirable employee. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/how-to-include-a-cfa-on-a-resume-the-3-best-ways\/\"><b>Having a CFA certification<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may be relevant for an accounting firm, but not a personal trainer job.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In summary:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only include recent and relevant jobs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only list relevant skills or certifications&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">List education experience briefly&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>2. Spell check and revise!<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is an obvious tip, but it is high on the list because it is <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">extremely<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> important. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a person does not care to present their very best work when applying for a job, they are not likely to get a callback. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No matter how professional or impressive your experience is, typos or grammar issues show a great amount of carelessness and lack of attention to detail.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good idea when revising a resume is to step away from it after typing it up. Get a glass of water, have a snack, and then come back to it with fresh eyes.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a friend or family member look over your resume is an excellent idea, because we are experts of our own experiences. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Something that is very clear to you might not be so understandable from another person&rsquo;s <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"point of view\" href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/how-to-use-point-of-view-in-a-sentence\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">point of view<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You could also read your resume aloud once it is in the revision stage, as it&rsquo;s often easier to hear awkward sentences or mistakes than it is to see them.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>3. Keep the past in the past<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experiences that are more than a few years old may have been formative to you as a person, but they are too old to be of use to an employer. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A resume with seven or eight job experiences would be cluttered and frustrating to read. Resumes should only include the most recent 3 to 4 job experiences at a maximum, and only active certifications.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unless a job seeker has extremely limited experience, these tips will always apply:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not include high school or high school experiences on a resume<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not include jobs from many years ago<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not include expired certifications<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is tempting to tell everyone that you had a pharmacy technician&rsquo;s license five years ago, but at the end of the day it only matters to a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> employer if you still have it. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you keep the past in the past, your resume will be clearer and more straightforward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>4. Keep work history in reverse chronological order<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is a general rule that the most relevant information should be at the top of each section. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work history is the only exception to this rule, as it should always be listed in reverse chronological order &ndash; from newest to oldest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employers want to see the employee you are <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">now<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, not the one you were three years ago. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By listing your most recent employment at the top of the section, you ensure that your employer can read about the best and most experienced version of yourself.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tip: This does not mean you have to include every job you have had recently. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delete any non-important or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/one-month-job-on-resume\/\"><b>very short-term jobs<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from your resume, and then list the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">relevant job experiences<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you have had in reverse chronological order.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>5. Write work history using accomplishments and results<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Writing job experience using only responsibilities is a pitfall which many resume writers fall into. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this information can be impressive and relevant, employers are also looking to see what a potential employee has achieved in a job.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a manufacturing plant, writing&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Streamlined the production process by inventing an improved cooling system for component structures<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sounds a lot more impressive than<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintained component structures&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both sentences are examples of good experience to have when applying for the manufacturing industry, but detailing the specific way you improved the company makes you look like a motivated and dedicated employee.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>6. Use short and simple sentences&nbsp;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Full sentences on a resume are a no-go, as this takes up valuable space on a resume. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to keep things sharp and to the point, resumes should always be written without personal pronouns. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, instead of the experience bullet point:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I managed classes which sometimes had over 50 students<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should be writing:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Managed classes of over 50 students<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always start your sentence with a &ldquo;power word&rdquo;, something that explains more about your experience to the reader subconsciously.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examples of power words are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Led<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Managed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oversaw<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Directed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Created<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Designed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Produced<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are all examples of words that may catch a reader&rsquo;s eye, and make the potential employee come across as competent and innovative.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note: Do not include uncertain language such as sometimes, occasionally, or usually. These words come across as unsure and unconfident.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tip: Be careful with periods on a resume. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because resumes do not often include full sentences, there is no official rule about period usage. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One thing that everyone does agree on is that you need to choose whether or not you&rsquo;re using periods, and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stick to it<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not use periods in one section, and no periods in another. It&rsquo;s all or nothing- otherwise it just looks like you forgot your punctuation in half of the sentences.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Keeping your sentences short and precise will also help with not making your resumes too long.<\/p>\n<p>By the way, do you know <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/how-many-words-in-1000-characters\/\">how many words are in 1000 characters?&nbsp;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>7. Use professional language&nbsp;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be aware of the vocabulary you use on a resume. Do not use conversational English when describing awards or experiences, such as phrases &ldquo;Got a scholarship&rdquo; or &ldquo;Did a certification course in X&rdquo;. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should be using the phrases &ldquo;Received a scholarship&rdquo; or &ldquo;Accomplished a certification in X&rdquo; instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Words reserved for written English are always a better choice when writing professional documents.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>8. Properly format your education<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a proper education section is considered one of the most basic part of any structured resume. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For employees with less than ten years of relevant experience, education is a huge factor for whether or not they are considered for a job.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Years of education in a subject creates a core knowledge, and this means employers will far less training to do when hiring a new employee. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Include your education in a way that shows the employer right away that you have the knowledge they are looking for. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It could be formatted in a few different ways, but the core rules are always the same. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>EDUCATION<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Vassar University<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poughkeepsie, New York<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology, Minor in Human Development <\/span><\/i> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 20XX-20XX<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Or it may look like this:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Education<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Vassar University<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (20xx &ndash; 20xx)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">B.A. in Economics&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minor in Mathematics<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some key points to formatting an education section are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always list your degree name and type<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">List your minor only if relevant or if you have limited real-world experience<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not include much extraneous information in this section. Achievements such as<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/sat-scores-on-resume\/\"><b>SAT scores<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/magna-cum-laude-on-resume\/\"><b><i>magna cum laude<\/i><\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">should only be listed for very new graduates.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/how-to-list-dates-on-resume\/\"><b>List the dates of education<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Job-seekers with many years of experience can leave off the dates, as this protects them from age-based discrimination. Employers are not legally allowed to ask you when you graduated, so be aware of the pros and cons when listing this information on a resume.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>9. Tailor your skills section to the job&nbsp;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The skills section on a resume is one of the most open-ended sections on a resume, which can also make it the most difficult to nail down. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employers are typically looking for a mix of hard and soft skills, so let&rsquo;s look at the differences between the two:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Hard skills<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &ndash; Anything that is concrete, often can be proven on paper or from reading the experience section. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Certifications<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technical skills (Microsoft Office, Excel, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Management skills<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Language skills<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hard skills are excellent because they are often things a company must hold special trainings for. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Possessing a hard skill ahead of time instantly makes you look more competent, and better-equipped for taking on the job.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Soft skills &ndash; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interpersonal skills, common sense, or character traits. These can be difficult to prove, but are still extremely valuable to an employer. Examples of soft skills include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teamwork<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stress management<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adaptability<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communication<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organization<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before formatting the skills section, read through the job description of the job you are applying for. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the company seeking managers? Translators? Is clerical experience a plus? <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Define what they are looking for in an employee and see if your skills match up. Do not include irrelevant skills, as this section can easily become cluttered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tip: A few skills are useful in any profession and should always be listed in this section. These are things such as<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technology proficiency<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Management skills<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Language skills<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are important because they can be used across every industry. Consider strengthening any of these skills if you are looking to get an edge into a competitive field!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><\/b><b>10. Always use keywords from the job description as your starting point<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about it. The employer wants someone who can do XYZ, and you want to show the employer that you are the best candidate to do XYZ. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&rsquo;s break down some examples of how you can word your experiences to fit their needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If an employer is seeking an &ldquo;independent go-getter to lead a newly designed department&rdquo;, then they have already given us three critical pieces of information.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They would prefer someone with experience overseeing new projects<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They want someone who can self-direct, as a new department likely doesn&rsquo;t have someone to guide the new hire<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are looking for management experience<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though the employer did not explicitly state these things, a good skill to have is solving problems before they are problems. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meet the employer&rsquo;s needs before they are stated and make them think <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lsquo;Oh. This person has xx experience, that would be very useful to our department.&rsquo;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will have the job before you know it!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips.jpg\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-28634\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips.jpg\" alt=\"How to Write a Resume Tips\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-640x960.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-720x1080.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-800x1200.jpg 800w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-150x225.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips.jpg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-28634 eager-load\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201000%201500'%3E%3Crect%20width='1000'%20height='1500'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"How to Write a Resume Tips\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-640x960.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-720x1080.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-800x1200.jpg 800w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/How-to-Write-a-Resume-Tips-150x225.jpg 150w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>11. Do not include references unless asked<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with little practical experience will often have a references section on their resumes, simply because it helps to add credentials and fills up blank space. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working professionals, however, have less need to &ldquo;prove&rdquo; their value by including references.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because resumes should always be kept below two pages for simplicity&rsquo;s sake, including a references section can take up valuable space. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other people&rsquo;s names and phone numbers does nothing to make you stand out as an employee, so do not put them on your resume unless <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">explicitly asked<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a job ad asks for references, you could always include them as a separate document labeled &ldquo;Employer References&rdquo; or &ldquo;John Smith &ndash; Professional References&rdquo;. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This way, you fulfill the requirement and keep a clean, impressive resume.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether it is on a resume or a separate document, be sure to include the full names of your references, the company name, their position in the company (or relation to you), and their phone number. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">E-mail is sometimes included as part of the references section, but it is not necessary unless otherwise posted in the job advertisement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">References are typically formatted like the following example:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>References:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>John Smith<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(XYZ Trading Company &ndash; Department Manager)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &nbsp; (123) 456-7890<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Richard Blake &nbsp; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(ABC Electronics Store &ndash; Owner) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(123) 456-7899<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Susan Springer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (123 Manufacturing &ndash; Department Lead) <\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(123) 456-3456<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>12. Properly include dates<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When reading a resume, employers want to know what you have done, when you had done it, and for how long. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By properly writing dates, you can answer these questions in a precise and clear manner. You can read additional tips and thorough examples of writing dates on a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/how-to-list-dates-on-resume\/\"><b>resume in our blog<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">education<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> section, you should only include the years. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employers do not care what month you began and finished school, they are mainly looking to see whether you have completed a 2-year or a 4-year degree. This should look like the following example:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Education<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Greensville University<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (20xx &ndash; 20xx)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">B.A. in Anthropology&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minor in History<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">experience<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> section, both the month and year should be included. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is because some jobs or experiences last less than a year, and it helps to better quantify job experience. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 year and 8 months of experience is significantly more impressive to an employer than 1 year. Dates in this section are listed as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>ABC Construction Company<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (January 20xx) &ndash; (March 20xx)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assistant Manager&nbsp;<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Managed a team of thirty employees<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oversaw job training for new employees, and bi-annual skills management courses for existing employees&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scheduled employees as needed to give quotes and accurately assess new projects<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people opt to write the months in number format, such as (2-20xx) &ndash; (3-20xx). This is also an acceptable way to list month\/year formats on a resume.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tip: Never abbreviate a month, such as &ldquo;Dec&rdquo; or &ldquo;Jan&rdquo;. This looks incomplete and unprofessional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>13. Don&rsquo;t include a photo on a resume<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Say cheese! Or&hellip; maybe not. Including a photo on a resume comes off as just that: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cheesy. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not include a photo of yourself on a resume, even to fill blank space. Your resume should be a summary of your direct accomplishments and proficiencies, not a personal profile.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a personal photo or photos are specifically requested in the job ad, include them as separate files that are labeled clearly. For example, &ldquo;J.Smith Photo&rdquo;.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure that these photos are not blurred or angled awkwardly, and that they fit the description of what the employers are asking for. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A simple straightforward headshot is suitable for most requests. For models, actresses, or other similar professions, more artistic photos would be acceptable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>14. Don&rsquo;t ever lie on a resume, or apply if you&rsquo;re unqualified<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This rule sounds extremely obvious, but it is unfortunately common in the job-seeking world.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t lie&rdquo; is an easy enough rule to follow. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not alter your dates of employment to look more impressive, do not say you were part of management if you were not, and do not include false achievements.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employers may call references to verify these statements, and it will be an instant rejection if inconsistencies are found. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some cases, the resume will be added to a &ldquo;do not hire&rdquo; list, which can include many different companies within that network.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every work contract will include a clause regarding truthfulness of the documents you submitted, which means that lying is grounds for immediate termination when discovered. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lying is not worth the risk of your professional career.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lying about skills or qualifications on a resume also begs the question: what will you do once you are hired? <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you write on a resume that you are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/how-to-include-a-cfa-on-a-resume-the-3-best-ways\/\"><b>CFA certified<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and then cannot begin to perform market analytics in the workplace, it will be an embarrassment both to you and your employer.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying for positions that you are a bit underqualified for is generally an okay practice, but do not apply for positions that you are completely unqualified for. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have only taken high-school Spanish, do not apply for a job that requires a bi-lingual associate. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is a waste of your employer&rsquo;s time and will become a short-lived job for you once management catches on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>15. Use numbers whenever possible&nbsp;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Numbers are a great way to shorten sentences on a resume and can also quantify achievements in a more impressive way. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They should be used in place of general statements, unless the numbers are not something to brag about (in which case, those statements likely should not be on the resume to begin with!)&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An example of using numbers to shorten a sentence is in the experience section:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Managed a team of 100+ employees&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The number &ldquo;100&rdquo; really stands out among the other text and catches the employer&rsquo;s eye. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also saves space on a resume because it is much shorter than writing out the words &ldquo;one hundred&rdquo;.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Numbers can also help feats stand out in the experience section! Quantify your achievements whenever possible, especially when it comes to monetary accomplishments. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, when <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/six-sigma-on-your-resume\/\"><b>listing a Six Sigma certification<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the achievements section:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Achievements<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Lean Six Sigma Black Belt<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp; License #123456789 &nbsp; (4-20xx)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Achieved the highest-level certification of the Six Sigma course<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Completed three years of practical experience identifying defects and instances of overproduction<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Completed and implemented a project recycling plastic waste in the manufacturing process, resulting in the savings of $86,000 per year<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The number immediately jumps out of the sentence. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lsquo;A savings of $86,000 a year?! If I hired this person, they would make up for their salary almost immediately!&rsquo;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an employer might think. If you chose to write this sentence as<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Completed and implemented a project recycling plastic waste in the manufacturing process<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It still sounds like good experience, but is it missing the real big-hitting number that makes an employer excited at the prospect of hiring you.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>16. Use a basic font<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Resumes should be easy to read, and this includes choosing a font that isn&rsquo;t overwhelming or confusing to the reader. The most common fonts used in successful resumes are:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calibri &ndash; This is often the default font for word-processing applications because it is simple to read.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arial<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &ndash;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Arial font is a bit taller, more stylish, and easy to read even with smaller font-sizes.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Times New Roman &ndash; This font is traditional, technical, and common in textbooks.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of what font you choose, you should pick 1-2 at max. Some people prefer to have their headings in a different font to make the resume easier to read at a glance. This is perfectly acceptable, but do not choose a new font for every part of the resume. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Resumes with too many different fonts look unprofessional.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The font size should be somewhere between the 10-12pt. range. 11 is generally a safe bet, as 10 could be difficult to read for some. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12 is a good idea if you are lacking in experience and looking for a clever way to fill space.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>17. Utilize bold, italics, underlines, and capitalization<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key to readability on a resume is not only the structure and format of the resume itself, but how you structure the words themselves. By using bold, italics, underlines, and capitalization, you can keep sections distinguishable from other sections, therefore increasing readability.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bold should be used in section headers, and the name of the business\/certification\/position that starts that topic line. In the education section, this means using bold for &ldquo;Education&rdquo; and the name of the university.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Education<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Greensville University<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (20xx &ndash; 20xx)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">B.A. in Anthropology&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minor in History<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rules of using bold are the same in the experience section, the certifications section, and the awards section.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take note of how underlines are used under section headers, and the beginning of each point is always capitalized. We can see an example of all these points when <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/volunteering-on-your-resume\/\"><b>listing volunteer experience<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Experience<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Dartsmouth Humane Society<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &ndash; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Volunteer Animal Caretaker<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &ndash; (Jan 20xx &ndash; Dec 20xx)<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assisted in the maintenance and hygiene of over 50 animals on a weekly basis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gave baths, groomed, and walked animals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kept records of and made appointments for animals up for adoption<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our last point is also covered in this example, which is using <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/italics-on-a-resume\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">italics in a resume<\/a><\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Italics are typically used in titles on a resume. Sentences can be read clearly and quickly when in this format: Bold section header, underline, bold name, italics title, regular-font dates.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>18. Choose appropriate colors<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When choosing colors for a resume, consider the type of job you are applying for. Black and white is the safest bet for any resume, and it is especially common in office management or legal jobs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If using colors, strategically choose them to further improve your resume&rsquo;s readability. Typically, section headers and titles are in a darker font than bullet points, dates, or other descriptions.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Work Experience:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>ABC Technical School<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(1-2019) &ndash; (Present)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Graphic Design Professor<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Led classes of 20+ students in Photoshop, Gimp, and Adobe&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Created individualized learning programs following a combination of in-person and online lessons.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Graphic design and animation resumes have more leniency, as they should demonstrate visual creativity. These types of resumes should be limited to 2-3 colors at most, and this includes different font colors as well.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using too many colors on resumes can come off as childish or make them difficult to read.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>19. Include your full contact information&nbsp;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The contact information section should always be the very first thing written on a resume. Employers should never have to hunt down this information! You want your phone number and e-mail to be clearly stated right below your name.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, the contact header is written in the following order: full name, physical address, phone number, e-mail.&nbsp; In this order, the contact section on a resume would look as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>John Smith<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Address:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 123 Green Drive, NC 12345<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Telephone:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (888) 123-4567<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>E-mail:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> JohnSmith27@gmail.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is not required to have a physical address posted on a resume, but it can be useful to employers when deciding who would have the most convenient commute. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An employee that lives ten minutes away from the company may be able to cover sudden work emergencies better than someone with an hour commute.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently, many people are choosing to include LinkedIn profiles as well. LinkedIn profiles include job histories and certifications, but have the added benefit of being as long as an employee would like.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> There is no unwritten rule about page limits for LinkedIn, so it might be a good idea to include it if you have many different skills that do not all fit on a single resume.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LinkedIn is free to use and easy to get started. You can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">check it out here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may include a link to your LinkedIn profile beneath the e-mail line in the contact section. Make sure your LinkedIn profile link is customized to be simple and straightforward.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tip: You must set your personal hyperlink in the settings of the LinkedIn website, otherwise it will be a default string of numbers instead of a professional name.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Correct<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Incorrect<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linkedin.com\/in\/johnsmith<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linkedin.com\/in\/087261923<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>20. Use the correct file format&nbsp;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It would be a shame to be rejected for a job before the employer even got the chance to look at your resume. This is what would happen if you were to send your resume as an unreadable file-type for your employer&rsquo;s equipment.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is also the chance that an employer will open your resume with a different type of software, causing errors in formatting that make the document unreadable. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the worst type of error to occur because employers likely don&rsquo;t have the time to e-mail you and tell you that they can&rsquo;t open your file. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your application will go in the trash, and you would probably never hear from them again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Resumes are typically saved as .docx for Microsoft Word documents, or .pdf for Adobe Acrobat PDFs.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be aware that applications such as wordpad and notepad have different filetypes such as .txt (text files) or .rtf (rich text files). These formats are less commonly used with resumes and may become unreadable to an employer.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PDF is the safest way to send a resume because it locks in all aspects of the formatting and cannot be opened with anything but Adobe reader (which comes free with nearly every computer).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If an employer does not specify a filetype for your resume, sending it as a PDF will ensure that all the hard work you put into your resume will not be for nothing.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>The bottom line<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep your resume neat, relevant, truthful, and interesting. A resume is just a quick peek into who you are as an employee, but it certainly does not tell the entire story of who you are.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow these tips to achieve a polished and professional resume, and then let your personality shine through once you are granted an interview.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good luck with the job search, and best wishes from us at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/\"><b>Linguaholic<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The first step toward landing a new job is to impress an employer with your resume. Because resumes are usually sent electronically or dropped off with the clerical staff, you cannot be there to answer questions or clarify things while the employer reads it. As a standalone representation of ourselves, it is important to make &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20166,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"","disable-critical-css":false,"_convertkit_action_broadcast_export":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,521],"tags":[1121],"class_list":["post-20142","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english","category-resume-writing","tag-top-20-resume-writing-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20142"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28635,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20142\/revisions\/28635"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}