Don't use a typewriter unless you absolutely have to. A typewritten document can never pass for one produced on a computer. Any employer receiving a typewritten resumé is going to question the quality of your computer skills, and most employers demand computer skills.

 

2.  Stay away from resumé gimmicks. 
Exceptions are made for artistic or creative jobs. But for the rest of us, it's white paper, black type and a normal typeface like Times Roman.

 

3.  References, or not? 
For some employers, the "References Available on Request" line is a comforting traditional close.  Never supply the actual references until you are farther along in the interview process.

Make your resumé flexible so it can be tailored for each job and employer. One size does not fit all. In this age of personal computers, there is no excuse for producing a generic resumé. A resumé that does not respond to the specifics of a job advertised or posted will end up in the trash.  In the case of a "cold" submission that is not prompted by a particular ad, the resumé must speak to a particular company or it will leave the resumé reader cold.

Use action verbs (the kind your ninth-grade English teacher liked), such as redesigned, coordinated, reorganized, created, planned or negotiated.   Rewrite any sentence that begins: "Duties included..." or "Responsible for..."

 

6.  Keep it short.
Resumé screeners are not impressed by flowery language or long, boring sentences. A one-page resumé is sufficient, unless your work history justifies a longer one.

 

7.  Skip personal pronouns.
The resumé is about you and no one else. Everybody knows that, so drop the "I" and "me."  It will save space, too.

Remember, correct spelling and grammar are crucial in a resumé. This is your representative and it must speak for you without even one typo. A computer spell checker is great, but it may not catch everything; omitted words or the wrong word spelled correctly will get right past. So have a friend or two or three read your resumé and cover letter carefully.

 

9.  Honesty really is the best policy.
Put your best foot forward, but never lie. Chances are, a lie will come back to haunt you.

If the employer can't find you, they can't interview you. Also consider how they will contact you. If your current employer doesn't know you're looking, then it might not be wise to list your work phone. Don't forget the little things: Is your answering machine working? Does it broadcast a professional-sounding message rather than the cute musings of your 5-year-old?  If at all possible, try to avoid the use of a pager number as a contact number.  The last thing you want to do is start a game of telephone tag with someone who is trying to hire you.  

"To whom it may concern" does not work, except when responding to a blind ad. If you don't know whom to contact, call the company and ask.  If it's tough to get the information from the "gatekeeper", go online and get it there.

Use keywords from the ad or job posting. Make sure your cover letter relates to the job you're trying to get.

Don't try to be funny or clever. Refer to your resumé while showing off your knowledge of the company and the industry.

Ask for an interview, and advise the recipient that you will follow up with a phone call.  Ask, and you may get.  Don't ask and it won't happen.


17.  Make sure they know you are a PC Professor graduate.
Many employers are familiar with our stringent standards, our large number of success stories, our hands-on method of training and our reputation for academic excellence.