Resume Writing Rules

Writing a resume for the first time intimidates almost everyone. It is a challenge to create an effective resume that will help open doors to new career opportunities. Present an unimpressive resume and doors will virtually be slammed.

• Use high quality white paper
• Keep your resume to two to three pages
• Spend time to decide on a suitable resume format
• Use bullet points
• Use action words and buzzwords
• Be honest, specific and positive
• Focus on details relevant to your career goal
• Highlight your strengths and key achievements
• Include your contact details
• Proofread your resume a few times
• Ensure a structured and neat layout
• Update your resume regularly

• Be over confident and sell yourself short
• Be vague
• Use unusual fonts, pictures or graphics
• Use flowery language
• Use abbreviations or short forms
• Use exact dates. Months and years are sufficient
• Give inappropriate or unnecessary information
• Give misrepresentation of your education or work experience
• Include date of resume
• Clutter your resume with your hobbies, sports and social activities
• Plagiarise anyone’s work
• Send in a hand-written resume