Once an applicant has compiled his or her resume, he or she can use this check list to ensure that all the right elements are included and that the resume is professional, concise and easy to read, ensuring success in the job application process.
It is always a good idea to get someone else to check the resume, using this checklist, as this lends a fresh pair of eyes and an outsider’s perspective (and usually helps pick up on any spelling, formatting or grammatical errors).
Ten Essentials for a Winning Resume
On completion of the resume, check that:
- The resume has an accessible, easy to read layout with plenty of white space and consistent formatting throughout
- The resume is up to date and includes the applicant’s most recent work or educational experience
- Clear contact details appear at the top of the page, including name (make sure this stands out), address, phone number and email address
- There is no personal information such as marital status, health, ID number or citizenship status
- If there is a Summary of Qualifications at the beginning, it indicated the most relevant skills and accomplishments for the job/position
- If there is a second page, page numbers are included
- In the Work Experience section, entries are in reverse chronological order (ie. Most recent to least recent) with position, company name and city included; duties, responsibilities and accomplishments are listed in bullet point form and “action verbs” are used
- In the Education section, entries are in reverse chronological order; the institution, program and levels completed are clear and any courses listed are particularly relevant or interesting to employers
- If an Interests/Activities section is included (recommended), these entries should give a positive impression and show interpersonal skills, teamwork and community involvement.
- There are no complete sentences (uses phrases only), paragraphs or chunks of text, or spelling errors (don’t rely on a spell check program)
Tailor-Making a Resume
Although each person's resume is different, and should reflect his or her personality, by following this check list, the applicant can increase his or her chances of landing an interview. Once the applicant has a strong resume laid out, he or she should focus on using this like a template, tailor-making each resume to the criteria laid out in the ad for each job being applied for. Although it may seem like a lot of work, it shows the employer that the applicant is genuinely interested in the position, and has made an effort and is not just sending out a generic resume.
Once the resume has been perfected, the applicant should ensure that he or she writes a killer cover letter and practices his or her interview skills to land the job.
Geraldine Eliot - Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, I now live in Vancouver, Canada (and am still not quite used to the change in temperature). I ...
