This is a very quick overview of things to take note of while constructing your resume 

Reference: The perfect resume is a written communication that clearly demonstrates your ability to produce results in an area of concern to potential employers and in a way that motivates them to meet you – Thomas Jackson, The Perfect Resume, p. 10  

Bottom Line: The primary purpose of a resume is to get an interview 

Things you should look out for: 

1. Dates are consistent and gaps include explanations

2. Education - College name and location

3. Certifications and where they were granted (cert #’s when appropriate)

4. Titles match the job description

5. Appropriate Miscellaneous Information (associations, activities, etc)

6. Watch for consistent fonts

7. Be aware of multiple colors

8. Mixed bullet points

9. Lines and separators

10. Tables and imbedded documents/graphics

11. Correct punctuation

12. Correct grammar

13. Technical terms (Acronyms in particular)

14. Check spelling 

15. See where you can use paragraphs vs. bullets and vice versa 

Minimum information to include…

Summary Paragraph - Provide a brief summary of your background and accomplishments

Technical Expertise – (pay close attention to this area) Break down by languages, hardware, software, OS, tools, etc

Education & Certifications - University and tech school

Career Path or Professional Experience - Detailed description of your duties and responsibilities. Try to include what tools you used as well.  

What not to list on a resume…

1. Sex

2. Citizenship

3. Visa status

4. Marital status

5. Sexual Orientation

6. Ethnicity

7. Religious Preference

8. Political Affiliation

Quick Q&A 

Q - What is the purpose of a resume?

A – To get an interview 

Q - At a minimum, what 4 areas should be listed on a resume?

A – Summary

A – Technical Expertise

A – Education

A – Career Path or Experience

Q - What are things that should not be listed in a resume from a legal perspective?

A – Sex

A – Citizenship

A – Visa status

A – Marital status

A – Sexual Orientation

A – Ethnicity

A – Religious Preference

A – Political Affiliation 

Q - From an aesthetic perspective, what are some things you should look out for?

A – Watch for consistent fonts

A – Be aware of multiple colors

A – Mixed bullet points

A – Lines and separators

A – Tables and imbedded documents/graphics

A – Correct punctuation

A – Correct grammar

A – Technical terms (Acronyms in particular)

A – Check spelling - Don’t always rely on spell check

A – See where you can use paragraphs vs. bullets and vice versa

Q - Should gaps in dates be explained?

A – Yes, when ever possible 

Q - What information should be included in the education section?

A – Name of educational institution, Degree attained, any technical training institution and certifications attained (cert numbers if available and dates of completion for continuing education only) 

Q - In what section does citizenship status belong?

A – Unless a particular clearance is required, and for security purposes, a candidate must have a certain level of citizenship as required by the job description, it should not be included in the resume at all