Tips for Resumes

These tips have been compiled from interviews with careers counsellors and graduate employers.

Always remember that you control the content of your resume.  There are some things that you should include, but in the end it is up to you to decide whether it is relevant or impressive to an employer.

• Do not include anything that will raise doubts or cause you to be screened out.  Deal with such information in an interview not a resume.
• Do not use abbreviations.  Use professional or technical jargon only if it is relevant to the position you seek.
• Do not use extraneous information, such as personal information, that does not support your career objective.
• Do not use odd-sized paper, overly fancy stock, colour, style, or anything considered eccentric.
• Do not include personal data, eg. age, martial status, number of children.
• Do not leave gaps between employment dates.   List jobs by month or year depending on their length. Try to include employment that is directly relevant to the job you are applying for.