Don’t make any major resume blunders. Do read these pointers before you hand your resume to a potential employer!
Do
Don’t
• Do create your own resume in Microsoft Word
• Don’t use a premade template
• Do keep your resume layout simple and clean
• Don’t use an overly complicated format
• Do research the job requirements and put information on your resume relevant to the position • Do target your resume to a specific position or industry • Do organize your content so that the most important information is at the top • Do use concise phrase(s) in your objective statement and when describing your experiences • Do use the full name of the university • Do use bullets to help organize information • Do use a font size that is easy to read (10-12 point) • Do use a font that is easy to read (a sans serif font such as Arial or Calibri) • Do set your margins between ½ and 1 inch
• Don’t view the resume as an opportunity to write your autobiography • Don’t depend on the employer to determine the job for which you qualify • Don’t expect employers to spend more than 1015 seconds glancing at your resume • Don’t use full sentences or long wordy descriptions in your objective statement or experience section • Don’t abbreviate or make up a new name for the university • Don’t arrange content in paragraph form • Don’t use a font size too small (below 10 point) • Don’t use any decorative fonts that appear unprofessional or are difficult to read • Don’t set your margins extremely wide so that content is squeezed in the middle
• Do use a separate page for your references
• Don’t list references on your resume
• Do have someone proofread your document
• Don’t solely depend on spell checker
• Do maintain consistency throughout the resume
• Don’t change format from one section to the next
• Do keep information on your resume current
• Don’t let your resume become outdated
• Do be truthful
• Don’t Lie
• Do seize your opportunity for a free service; don’t forget to have Career Services critique your resume!
Rusk Building, 3rd Floor 936.468.3305 careerservices@sfasu.edu www.sfasu.edu/careerservices