Resume Tips

Set out the Perfect Resume

A resume is quite possibly the most important two- or three-page document that you will write in your life so, it has to be spot on. While there’s no perfect formula, there are things you can do to improve your prospects and faux pas that will seriously harm them.

As recruitment specialists who see countless documents every day, we’re no strangers to a good resume – or a bad one. Therefore, we’ve created the following guidelines to help you on your way to the perfect job.

DO

• Keep your resume to no more than two pages, unless you have an extensive work history and cannot physically fit everything in. Make sure your name is on all pages.
• Be concise—everything you say should be there for a reason.
• Customize your resume and personal profile for every job. Give a generic resume to recruitment agencies you are registered with.
• Check for spelling and grammatical errors with a fine-tooth comb. Take particular care with elements like punctuation after bullet points.
• Consider how your potential employer will be reading your resume. If on-screen, consider using a font like Calibri.
• Include your achievements. Responsibilities and skills don’t fully convey how good you are at the job!

DON'T

• Leave any unexplainable gaps. Inconsistencies with dates will be spotted quickly by a potential employer.
• Fabricate anything. These will show up when references are taken and your offer is likely to be retracted.
• Exclude personal interests, such as hobbies, travel, and volunteer work. Employers will want to know what makes you tick and personal interests paint a picture of your character and whether you’d be a good personality fit.
• Feel the need to include references. If you’re struggling with space, state that references are available on request.
• Be too creative with your resume’s formatting—a simply designed resume can’t be judged, but a quirky one can.
• Include a photo on your resume.