A well put together resume can make a great first impression of you to a potential employer. Therefore, give this document everything you've got.
- Use a nice linen or other resume-grade paper that can be found easily at general retailers and office supply stores. I recently noticed that one major careers and job search site has even released its own brand of resume papers and envelopes.
- Make sure that you list all of your essential contact information on the resume (name, address, phone number, e-mail address and job search website if you have one).
- Use short bulleted statements to describe your accomplishments at your current and former employers. Use action verbs where possible and be specific about your achievements. For example, rather than I sold widgets to wholesalers, I sold 15,000 widgets to customers in 38 states.
- Spell check, Spell check, Spell check. Also, have at least 2 to 3 other people look over your resume for spelling and grammatical errors.
- Avoid white out or crossing out mistakes on a resume. Correct and print a new one.
- Always send a cover letter with a resume and address it to a specific individual or search committee.
