Tips For Writing Résumés
The main objective of your résumé is to promote yourself by highlighting your qualifications and
employable skills. You want your résumé to generate enough interest in you so that an employer is
motivated to contact you for a job interview. A major misconception is that the purpose of a résumé
is to get a job. While employment is your ultimate goal, the primary purpose of your résumé is to
land a job interview. No one is hired based solely on his/her résumé. Keep this in mind when
writing your résumé: your goal is to get a job interview. Here are some more tips to follow when
putting together your résumé:
1. Be honest. Don’t “pad” your résumé with false information about your employment history,
education, or on the job skills.
2. Your résumé should be clear and concise. Once you’ve landed a job interview, you can then
provide a more detailed explanation of your accomplishments, skills, and potential.
3. Include an "Objective." Your Objective should clearly define your employment goals and
display a sense of direction. When stating your Objective, be specific but brief. Including too
much "fluff" shows lack of direction.
4. Do not include personal information such as height, weight, hobbies, or age. Also, don’t
disclose religious beliefs or ethnicity unless they directly support your employment objective.
5. Double check your résumé for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
6. Your résumé should be professional in tone. Avoid using “gimmicks” or humor. A résumé is not
the place to show off your personality. Remember, your goal is to highlight your employable skills.
You can show off your personality at the job interview.
7. Be sure that your phone number and/or email address (if provided) is accurate. Also, waste no
time in returning an employer’s calls/emails. This displays that you are prompt and eager to work.
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