Resume Writing Guide

Language and Impact

• Be Specific and Active: Use strong verbs like Developed or Managed instead of passive descriptions.

• Express, Don’t Impress: Use professional, articulate language. Avoid "flowery" wording or jargon.

• Quantify Achievements: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

  • Weak: "Managed social media accounts."

  • Strong: "Grew Instagram following by 300% in 6 months, increasing engagement by 50%."

• Keywords: Mirror the specific technical and soft skills found in the job description to help your resume clear automated systems.

  
  

Structure and Organization

• Standard Layout: Use reverse-chronological order, listing your most recent experience first.

• Strategic Headers: Group your information under clear headings like Experience, Skills, and Education.

• The Introduction:

  • Objective: Best for students or career changers to describe their goals.

  • Summary: Best for experienced professionals to highlight major wins.

• Readability: Balance white space. Use bullet points rather than dense blocks of text.

  
  

Formatting Standards

DO	DON'T
Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri) at 10–12pt.	Use personal pronouns (I, me, my).
Save the final version as a PDF.	Include personal details like age, gender, or a photo.
Use consistent bolding and italics for emphasis.	List references unless the job post specifically asks.
Account for any gaps in work history.	Include high school info if you have higher education.

Final Review

• The 7-Second Rule: Recruiters scan quickly. Put your most impressive accomplishments at the top.

• Contact Info: Check that your email is professional and your phone number is correct.

• Proofread: Read the document from bottom to top to catch errors your eyes might otherwise miss.

• Length: Limit the document to one page if you have under 10 years of experience. Two pages are fine for senior roles, but focus on the last 10–15 years.