Dr. GoodWrite’s 12 Rules for Resume Writers

1. Keep your resume to one or two pages. A concise listing of your background and accomplishments is what most employers want. If you have extensive detail on publications or other achievements, put it in a separate “addendum” document, or publish it on your personal Website or Facebook page.
2. Write properly. Use proper grammar, spelling, and capitalization throughout. If you need help, ask a friend or hire a professional resume writing service. For rules on effective business writing, visit our “GoodWrite’s Grammar” section.
3. Be honest. Avoid exaggerating your accomplishments. Highlight the best aspects of your experience, without embellishing the truth. If there’s not much to brag about, stick to the basic facts.
4. Focus on the positive. Don’t use your resume to complain about a previous employer.
5. If currently employed, say so. This will help keep prospective employers from contacting your current employer for a reference – which could compromise your current job.
6. Avoid irrelevant personal information. Employers don’t need to know about your family, pets, beliefs, or favorite movies. Keep information relevant to the position you’re applying for.
7. List your references. Save prospective employers time by listing two or three references who are not friends or family members, but who can attest to your character and work ethic. Be sure to get permission from your references in advance, and include their contact information on your resume.
8. Use a professional-looking format. For an example of a well-formatted resume, please visit Dr. GoodWrite’s “Anatomy of a Great Resume.”
9. Spell-check your document. It’s as simple as pressing “F7,” and can save you from embarrassing spelling errors.
10. Proofread, proofread, and then proofread again! Errors in your resume tell prospective employers that you don’t care about accuracy. Once you’ve checked to be sure that everything is perfect, pass your resume along to a friend with strong writing skills and ask that they proof it, too.
11. Include a well-written cover letter. For more on cover letters, click here.
12. Take your time. Your resume is one of the most important documents you will ever write. Expect to take several hours, or even several days, making it the best it can be.