The Basics of Building a Resume

Crafting your resume can be stressful. There are many different formats and approaches to creating a good resume, and it can often be even more daunting to tailor it to what your potential employers want to see. The good news is that there are some general pieces of advice for building a resume that could help you get started in the right direction. 

Resume Do’s and Don’ts

When crafting your resume:

Do:

• Use specific and active language
• Be consistent in format and content
• Include your email, phone, and LinkedIn information (if applicable)
• Make it organized and easy to read
• Use facts and quantifying (measurable) elements when describing your experience
  • For example, instead of saying “expanded the size of the program”, specify by saying “expanded the program by 5% in three months.”

Don’t:

• Include grammar or spelling mistakes
• Use personal pronouns (such as I or we)
• Include photos
• Use slang or colloquialisms
• Include identity traits, such as age or gender
• List references 

Support and Guidance 

If you’re still feeling stuck or unsure, or even if you just want another set of eyes to look over your resume, there are resources you could use to get some guidance. Many colleges and universities have their own version of a Career Center, which is a campus resource specifically designed to assist students with career-related endeavors like crafting a resume. If your school has a Career Center, it may be helpful to drop by and ask for help creating or altering your resume. You could also ask friends, classmates, or even professors if they would be willing to help. And, if all else fails, there are an abundance of resources online that could provide helpful information and tips for resume building. 

The Bottom Line 

Creating a good resume is extremely important because it could directly impact your chances of getting a good job. The process can sometimes be tedious, but as you’re navigating the different visual and formatting options, keeping some simple basics in mind for your content is a great place to start. Fortunately, your resume is not a project that you have to take on alone. Asking others to take a look at your resume and give feedback is a fantastic way to make improvements and to ensure that you set yourself up for success when applying for jobs.