Developing
Documents & Content > Resumes/CVs
The Resume - Things to Avoid
Dishonesty & “Puff”
It’s simple…Don’t lie! Don’t embellish!
It’s not only unethical, but eventually you’ll get
caught. You may get away with it for a time, but it will
catch up with you. Whether technical skills, training, or
particular accomplishments, keep it honest. It’ll work better
for you (you won’t get fired two months into the job) and
serve the employer much better.
Unprofessional Look
Develop a layout for your resume that has a professional
look, whether you do it yourself or with the help of a resume
writer. Use the tools in your wordprocessor, perhaps even an adaptation
of the templates provided (Microsoft Word or the ones here).
These
templates and wizards can make doing a resume easy and have
you look like a pro. As with other documents, avoid non-standard,
fancy
fonts, and use color only if have or use a personal logo.
It’s
really not all that difficult to make sure your resume look “sharp” and
professional. By the way, if you’re a technical writer, or
writer (whatever ilk), that resume better look the part.
Editorializing
It almost goes without saying that you don’t use your
resume as a place to vent or express your opinions or “poison
grape” past
jobs or projects. This is sudden death for any resume. Keep
personal comments out of the document and focus on the specifics
requisite to landing the job.
Vague & Imprecise
In noting job functions get the extra important step, cite
your accomplishments. Too often people list their job function
without getting down to the specifics required to land the
interview, respond to the things the prospective employer is seeking
for the
position. Tell them specific accomplishments and or achievements
so they’re able to see the fit. If you supervised people,
how many, doing what, and what significant or unique results were
realized (if any).
