Resume Checklist

Once you have completed the first draft of your resume, it’s time to look it over to make sure your resume is complete and ready to be given to a potential employer.

It is vital that you look over your resume not only because you may discover something you’ve missed, but also to ensure there are no typos or other errors that could ruin your chances of obtaining an interview. It’s a known fact that a simple typo is enough to send your resume to the garbage pile.

Below is a checklist of questions to help you perfect and finalize your resume:

• Did you spell-check and grammar check your resume twice and have two additional people read it over?
• If you do not have significant past work experience is your resume only one page?
• Did you use a standard font (I.E. Times New Roman, Arial, etc.) and is the font size 12 pt.?
• Is the heading included at the top of the resume (I.E. name, address, telephone number, email address)?
• Is the content balanced and centered neatly on the page?
• Is the resume appealing to the eye?
• Did you organize your resume so that you have emphasized all points you wish to stress?
• Did you highlight your headings (I.E. “Objective”, “Education”, etc.) by centering, bolding or underlining?
• Is your objective clear and focused?
• Did you list your work history and education in reverse chronological order (I.E. beginning with the most current)?
• Did you include all the work experience, education and skills relative to the position you are applying for?
• Did you eliminate any information that is not relative to the position you are applying for?
• In the “Experience” section did you briefly describe all of your work experiences?
• Did you mention awards, accomplishments, or any other special events or activities you took part in within your school, workplace, or community that positively reflect on applicable skills or talents, or shows your dedication and responsibility?
• Did you include a heading for “Hobbies” or “Interests” so that you can further highlight any unique personal attributes you possess and will bring to the job?
• Have you mentioned all languages you can speak and/or read?
• Are your paragraphs short and concise?
• Did you begin most of your sentences with strong action verbs (I.E. “organized”, “developed”, “initiated”)?
• Is your verb tense consistent?
• Did you avoid repeating the same or similar information?
• Did you avoid using “I” or “me”?
• Is the information you’ve included in your resume honest?
• Did you exclude any personal information not required that could be discriminating (I.E. age, religion, weight, height, etc.)
• If you are not sending your resume electronically, has it been printed on plain, standard size (8 ½ “x 11”) quality bond paper?
• Did you notify the people you would like to use as references and obtain their permission?
• Did you exclude reference contact information from your resume?
• Is your resume inviting, easy to read, interesting, and does it prove your experience, credentials, and personal qualities qualifies you for the sought after position?
• Does your resume have an overall professional appearance?