16 Resume Checklist

• Customize your resume to match the job requirements.
  • Each resume you send out must include keywords from the job posting.
• Create a strong first impression.
  • Keep the format simple and professional.
  • Use 11- or 12-point font size and web-friendly fonts.
  • Avoid using graphics, multiple styles of bullets and fonts, tables, and columns.
  • Use subheadings and a space between sections to ensure your resume is clear and easily read.
  • Ensure that your formatting is consistent throughout. For example, bullets and dates should be aligned in all sections, and dates should be presented consistently as full months or abbreviated months.
  • If possible, make your resume fit onto 1 page. Do not tell your life story; highlight the skills, education, and experience that make you a good fit for the job. The reader needs to find the essential information quickly, as often, resumes are read or scanned in only 30-60 seconds.
• Keep it error-free!
  • Never use the words I, my, myself, me on a resume.
  • Demonstrate your attention to detail by being free of grammar and spelling errors.
    • Proofread your resume; do not rely solely on spellcheck.
    • Have a second person proofread your resume.
    • Bring your resume or cover letter to a drop-in session at MyCareer for a resume review.
• Focus on compatibility.
  • Submit your application in the file format suggested in the posting; however, submit it in Microsoft Word or as a PDF if it is not otherwise specified.
  • Avoid using unique fonts and bullets that may not be compatible across different word processing software.
  • Be cautious when using resume templates, tables, or columns, as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) may not be able to read them properly.

Originally adapted from Resume Tips in Be the Boss of Your Career: A Complete Guide for Students & Grads, copyright © 2021 by Lindsay Bortot and the Employment Support Centre, Algonquin College, which is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.