Editor, Publisher

Don't use pronouns like "I" or "me" when describing professional experiences.  Instead create descriptions of your job experiences that purposely exclude pronouns.  An example of how one applicant successfully listed his own professional achievements without the inclusion of pronouns is provided below:

Don't use lifeless verbs like did, handled, took, made, got, etc., but instead aggressively incorporate power verbs in your list of job descriptions.  In the above example, the applicant used power verbs like increased, supervised, developed, adopted and launched, which all effortlessly added more importance/weight to his list of professional achievements. 

(Review our list of power verbs to get help in developing your own job descriptions.)

Don't use sleepy or passive statements in your job experiences section, but instead, try to include statements that show action and that may help to show improvements or growth under your supervision.  Below are examples of job descriptions extracted from a resume.  The first example adequately describes the applicant's job achievements.

However, the second example below does a much better job of showcasing the applicant's real achievements at keeping costs down for his employer.  Please make special note at how the writer decided to include numbers/figures to help effectively illustrate these reductions.

Don't include personal information about yourself such as your marital status, ethnicity, health condition, religious preference, political affiliation, hobbies, etc.  This information is not suitable for your resume and could ultimately be used as unlawful ammunition to disqualify you for a position by a bigoted or discriminating hiring director.

Don't include any reference to salary, past or present.  Including this sort of information on your resume can help to get you eliminated from a job really quick.  Employers, that are looking to pay just so much or who have a certain pay range in mind, will quickly take a pass on you if your quoted salary exceeds what they are looking to pay.

Don't include references on your resume.  It is inappropriate and unprofessional to list the names of references on your resume.  Besides, employers are not going to waste valuable time checking your references before they meet with you.  Additionally, most employers naturally assume that you'll furnish them with a list of references when you come in to complete an employment application or on the day of your job interview.

Don't include reasons why you are leaving your current employer or why you may have already left.   This type of information on a resume or cover letter is unnecessary and may make you appear less professional.

Don't try and squeeze everything on one page.   It's okay to stretch your resume to two pages.  It's better to have a lengthy resume then to omit critical information that might help you land a job interview.  Besides, the current acceptable length or criteria for determining the length of a resume is set at 10 years of experience for one page, or in other words, one full page can be safely allotted for describing job experiences spanning over the course of ten years.  However, even if you're blessed to have 40+ years of experience under your belt, still don't go over three pages unless you're specifically asked to do so by an extremely interested potential new employer.

Don't include other papers along with your resume such as transcripts, certificates, photographs, written testimonials, newspaper clippings or school articles about yourself, etc.  Excessive documents with your resume can have the undesired effect of landing your material in the staffing director's do-not-invite-in pile or his or her circular file.

Don't forget to send your cover letter with your resume unless you're specifically asked not to do so by an employer.  The cover letter helps to give hiring personnel an added snapshot of your qualifications and aids them in faintly accessing your writing skills.

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This article is © 2003-2005 by Tracy Miller and may not be reposted without written permission from the author and may not be reprinted for profit.