A resume is not a list of everything you have ever done. It is a marketing document designed to answer one question: why should we call this person?
The Golden Rule
Tailor your resume to every job you apply for. A generic resume gets generic results. Read the job description carefully, identify the skills they are asking for, and make sure your resume reflects those things specifically.
Length and Format
One page for recent graduates and early-career professionals. Two pages maximum once you have five or more years of relevant experience. Use a clean, readable font, clear section headings, and consistent spacing. No fancy graphics or tables.
Sections to Include
Contact Information -- Full name, phone number, professional email, and LinkedIn profile.
Summary Statement -- Two to three sentences describing who you are professionally. Avoid cliches like "hardworking team player." Be specific.
Work Experience -- List in reverse chronological order. Use action verbs and quantify wherever possible: "Managed a team of 12 brand ambassadors across 8 parishes" beats "Managed a team."
Education -- Institution, degree, graduation year. Include GPA only if it is strong.
Skills -- Relevant technical skills only. Demonstrate soft skills through your experience bullet points.
Volunteer Work and Extracurriculars -- Especially important for recent graduates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Spelling and grammatical errors
- Using the same resume for every application
- Listing duties instead of accomplishments
Read it one final time. Then ask someone else to read it. Save as a PDF before sending.