David Wood Personnel Resume Guidelines

David Wood Personnel®

Resume Guidelines

We cannot declare in strong enough terms, the importance of a clean and professional resume. Studies show that potential employers spend about 30 seconds looking at your resume... 30 seconds!

Your resume is designed to get you an interview, not get you hired. You've got 30 seconds to answer the potential employer's real question... "Why should we hire you?"

Below are some simple Do's and Don'ts that will help you make your resume stand out.

Do's	Don'ts

Do ask the employer if you should fax, email or mail a hard copy of your resume. You also might use two or more methods. For example, when responding by email, note that you've mailed the hard copy. This increases your chances of being seen and selected.	Don't include high school degree or other non-academic training, unless it relates to the job.
Do emphasize your leadership skills in school activities and team research projects. Include Internship responsibilities.	Don't be afraid to send your resume to the same company again a month or two later. Change your cover letter or objective to better fit the job.
Do include your university's full name and city and your degree, major, expected graduation date, and grade point average, if it is above 3.0	Don't use "I" or "me" too frequently. They can be used in moderation.
Do list your computer courses and skills.	Don't rely solely on your computer spell checking capability to catch every typo. Ask several friends to proofread your resume.
Do highlight your academic strengths. For example, were you a great debater or public speaker, elected to class office, selected for a school honor, etc?	Don't go back too far in your job history. List only your last three jobs.
Do include that you're a recent graduate and explain why your goal is to work for that particular company.	Don't include references on your resume. Put "References available upon request" at the conclusion of your resume.
Do make sure your resume is flawless. That is the number 1 rule. If you have little work experience, the accuracy of your resume is the one key you can be judged on. Spell check your resume and have someone else proofread it for spelling and grammar errors.	Don't include an objective. The prospective employer may have another position that fits your resume. An objective may rule you out for the other position.
Do solicit letters of recommendation from prior employers, bosses, vendors, suppliers and even customers you dealt with in past years. These testimonials help confirm your work ethic. Keep these for your second contact with a prospective employer.	Don't include a cover letter. Most employers do not read a cover letter. Let your resume speak for itself.
Do list your achievements and accomplishments on each of your prior jobs. Use detail. This is the time to brag a little.

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