The most important document in your job search is your resume. It is a marketing tool designed to highlight your experience to the hiring manager, and first impressions are important. According to Human Resources managers, it takes about 15 seconds to decide whether or not to read an entire resume.

Every resume should include your contact information, a summary of your professional experience and achievements, and examples of your accomplishments.

These resume tips will help you make the best first impression:

Do

🔴 For each role, highlight your most relevant experience and accomplishments.

🔴 Instead of tasks, emphasize results and accomplishments. Show the effect you had.

🔴 Make your resume specific to the job requirements. Use keywords that will showcase to the hiring manager that you are a good fit at a glance.

🔴 Write about your project work and volunteer experience as a recent graduate with no recent work experience. Show how you used the necessary skills to achieve results.

🔴 Make use of action verbs. Each sentence should begin with an action verb.

🔴 Optimize your application for applicant tracking systems. Use appropriate keywords, format properly, and keep fancy graphics, fonts, and elements to a minimum.

Don’ts

🔴 Avoid using the first and third person when writing. Write “Collaborated with a team,” rather than “I collaborated with a team,” as an example.

Avoid using emojis or text and chat abbreviations, such as “@” for “at.”

🔴 Don’t list obvious abilities like Microsoft Word. 

🔴 Candidates for corporate jobs can use Microsoft Word without question.

🔴 Limit your use of formatting. Maintain a simple, readable format.

🔴 Never assert a generalization without supporting it with specific examples. such as a team player.

🔴 Don’t exaggerate your training or experience.

Is your resume producing results, with employers requesting an interview? If not, begin editing or rewriting your resume.