Checklist for Improving Your Résumé

By Ruth M. Schimel, Ph.D., Career & Life Management Consultant

Make your résumé a bridge from the past to your future, not just a summary of what you’ve done. For each version, show how your professional experience, education and interests relate to the requirements of the particular work you want, especially if a good match is not obvious. I can help you learn to write effective, original descriptions of what you offer that will attract the attention you seek.

To see what may be missing from your current résumé, highlight any points below that you have not addressed. Use that information and feedback from several, savvy people to make improvements.

Match of Résumé with Work

• Style, content and vocabulary relate to organizational culture and goals of potential employer.
• Information shows that your background, expertise and interests fit with work sought.
• Specific contributions and accomplishments highlight how you would shine in new situation.

Content

• Coherent picture of skills, abilities, knowledge and education is provided.
• Specifics such as scale, scope, numbers and percentages strengthen descriptions of professional experience.
• Generic as well as unique abilities are clearly discernible.
• Information is described succinctly, with all unnecessary words such as “a” and “the” omitted.
• Citizenship, immigration status and level of security clearance are mentioned, when appropriate.
• Interests outside of work are noted briefly to pique readers’ interests, enrich interview conversations and show range. (optional)

Format

• Orderly, consistent format, with parallel construction, supports easy reading and quick understanding.
• White space and margins are generous
• Types of résumés are combined for optimal effect (chronological, functional, targeted and accomplishment–based).
• Length is no more than two pages, unless norms of field permit more, or you have a general résumé summarizing your entire professional background to adapt to each situation.

Style

• Verbs and nouns tell story of what you offer, with verve; hackneyed language avoided.
• Acronyms are spelled out the first time they are used.
• Inaccuracies and misspellings do not exist.
• Confident, yet unexaggerated, tone reflects professionalism.

Your thoughts?

Suggestions from others?

© 2007, Ruth M. Schimel, Ph.D., Career and Life Management Consultant
www.ruthschimel.com  ruth@ruthschimel.com  202.862.5484