Do you have the skills being advertised in the job description? Be sure before you apply. A general rule of thumb is if you have more than 70% of the qualifications they are looking for, apply for the job.
Before writing your resume:
Research the company thoroughly by reviewing its website, descriptions of positions, and its mission and goals. If possible, talk to someone who has worked for the company. Do you feel you’d be a match for the culture and goals of the company?
Create an inventory of your accomplishments. Include education, volunteer experience, jobs, projects, sports, organizational activities, computer skills, special training, and leadership positions.
Writing your resume:
List relevant job and volunteer experience, internships, professional development, and skills, even part-time employment.
Tailor your resume to the specific position for which you’re applying.
Use action verbs throughout your resume: managed, produced, increased, improved, etc.
Use impact statements. Ideally, you should have no more than three bullet impact statements. These impact statements should be measurable accomplishments that you have obtained on your job, internship, professional development and/or volunteer experience.
All education and past work, volunteer experience, internships, professional development, should be listed from most current to least current.
Always be truthful about your work experience and accomplishments. Most companies will verify with a reference check.
Proofread carefully. Then ask a friend to proofread. Typos and grammatical mistakes are fatal in a resume.
Format the resume in a way that is attractive and easy to read.
Things to Remember:
Do not list your address. This can be used to discriminate against you.
Do not provide references. If the company, organization, or business would like references, they will ask for it. In essence, only provide references if asked.
Do not list high school education if you are a classified as a junior or higher in college.
Do not list your high school education unless you attended a prestigious high school, someone at the company you are applying to went to that high school, you were in the top percent of your class or won a major accomplishment such as Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Historian, National Merit School, etc.
Do not list your GPA unless it is 3.5 or higher.
Do not place your picture on your resume. This too can be used to discriminate against you.
Do not place your resume on color paper unless you are an art major.
Do not spray your resume with perfume. Some people are highly allergic to certain smells.