RESUME “ DO NOT ’ S ”
Do not lie on the resume . Even a little white lie may come back to haunt . Be as honest as possible .
Do not use a lot of fancy formatting and fonts . Clear , concise , and easy to read is best . Avoid color and images .
Do not include personal information . It is not necessary to include height , weight , health , family situation , hobbies , etc ., on a resume . Avoid listing your mailing address to prevent distance bias .
Do not mass email a resume . There is no targeting or personalization in mass emailing or submitting . Sounding vague will not impress potential employers . Even when submitting your resume to multiple roles with the same job title , ensure each resume is tailored to the specific qualifications of the jobs to increase chances of success .
Do not exaggerate accomplishments . Be honest about your role in successes but focus on the facts and less on yourself ( avoid “ I ”) to sound humble . Do not say you had a hand in a successful endeavor / project when , in fact , you did not . Specifics may be required , and if they cannot be given , it will not look good .
Do not undersell your accomplishments . If you have used Excel before but aren ’ t an expert , wording such as “ Basic understanding of Excel ” could be appropriate . A good rule of thumb is : If you feel you can thoroughly explain or defend the way a qualification is worded on your resume , include it .
Do not discuss salary needs . A resume is not the time to make a bid for salary .
Do not use jargon and acronyms . Use straightforward language that everyone will recognize . If appropriate , “ speak the language ” of the field once in an interview situation .
Do not send a resume without proofreading first . Typos could be grounds for disqualification .
Do not list too much experience . List only the last 10-15 years ’ worth of jobs . Some employers may think a highly experienced applicant will demand a high salary . Also , unfortunately , age discrimination can occur .
Do not list references right on the resume . These go on a separate document , often submitted during the job application process .
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