Writing an Outstanding Resume/CV: Essential Do's and Don'ts

Your resume is often the first thing a hiring manager sees about you, and frankly, it can make or break your chances of getting that interview. With hiring managers spending just 6-8 seconds on an initial resume scan, creating a compelling document that immediately captures attention is crucial.

The Critical Do's: What Makes Resumes Stand Out:

Do Tailor Your Resume to Each Job Application

The one size fits all resume is outdated. Don't just send the same resume to every job posting. Take a few minutes to read what they're actually looking for and adjust your resume accordingly. When you match your experience to their specific needs, you're showing them you actually care about this particular job, not just any job.

Do Lead with a Compelling Professional Summary

Replace objective statements with a powerful 3-4 line professional summary that immediately communicates your value. Think of it as your elevator pitch in written form.

Example: "Results driven marketing professional with 7+ years of experience developing data driven campaigns that increased brand awareness by 40% and generated $2M in new revenue."

Do Quantify Your Achievements

Numbers tell a compelling story. Instead of saying "improved sales performance," write "increased quarterly sales by 25%, generating an additional $150K in revenue." Quantify using metrics, percentages, dollar amounts, team sizes, and timeframes whenever possible.

Do Use Action Oriented Language

Begin each bullet point with strong action verbs like "spearheaded," "optimized," "implemented," and "transformed." This creates a more dynamic impression than passive language and conveys leadership and initiative.

Do Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Modern hiring relies on ATS to screen resumes. To pass through these systems:

• Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills)

• Include relevant keywords from the job description naturally

• Avoid complex formatting or graphics that might confuse ATS software

• Save as both Word document and PDF formats

The Critical Don'ts: Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid:

Don't Include Irrelevant Information

Every line should demonstrate your qualifications for the target role. Avoid high school information (if you've completed college), irrelevant hobbies, outdated technical skills, references, or personal information like age or marital status.

Don't Exceed Optimal Length Guidelines

Most professionals should stick to one to two pages. Recent graduates and those with less than 10 years of experience should typically use one page. Senior executives may extend to two pages, but every line must add value.

Don't Use Passive Voice or Weak Language

Passive voice makes accomplishments sound less impressive. Instead of "Responsibilities included managing a team," write "Managed a team of 8 sales representatives, achieving 120% of quarterly targets." Avoid weak phrases like "helped with" or "assisted in."

Don't Neglect Proofreading

Spelling and grammatical errors can immediately disqualify your application. Pay attention to consistent verb tenses, uniform formatting, accurate company names, and proper punctuation. Consider having someone else review your resume for errors you might miss.

Don't Include Salary Information

Unless specifically requested, avoid mentioning salary expectations or history on your resume. This can be addressed during the interview process and may limit your negotiating power.

Modern Resume Essentials:

Keywords: Research industry specific keywords and incorporate them naturally throughout your resume, including technical skills, software proficiency, and certifications.

Remote Work Skills: With so many jobs being remote or hybrid now, make sure to mention your experience with video calls, project management tools, and working independently from home.

Professional Email: Use a professional email address that includes your name, avoiding nicknames or unprofessional phrases.

Continuous Learning: Include relevant certifications, courses, or training programs to demonstrate your commitment to professional development.

Final Quality Check

Before submitting, ask yourself:

1. Does your resume clearly communicate your value proposition within the first few lines?

2. Did you actually increase sales by 25%? Show it. Did you manage a team of 10 people? Put that number down.

3. Is the formatting consistent and professional?

4. Have you tailored the content to match the job requirements?

5. Are all errors eliminated?

Your Resume as a Living Document

Regularly update your resume with new achievements and skills, even when not actively job searching. This way, you won't scramble to update everything when you suddenly find the perfect job posting.

Here's the truth: your resume is what gets you in the door. When hundreds of people apply for the same job, the ones with better resumes get the interviews. Your resume is often the first impression you make on potential employers make it count.

Fix your resume this weekend. I promise you'll start getting more interview calls.