Resume checklist courtesy of George Mason University.
| Layout & Appearance |
Yes |
No |
Career Counselor Comments |
Is my name at the top of the page and in bold?
Are my address, phone number and email easy to read? |
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| Is my resume an appropriate length? (1 page preferred) |
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Is formatting (e.g. bold, font, bullet sizes, heading styles)
consistent throughout the resume? Are the headings and
statements evenly spaced? |
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Are verb tenses in the present tense for current jobs?
Are verb tenses in the past tense for previous jobs? |
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Do I have approximately 2-6 statements per job?
(Bullet form is recommended.) |
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| Content |
Yes |
No |
Career Counselor Comments |
| Does my objective statement clearly state what I am seeking and what I will bring to the position? |
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| Did I include the following headings: Education, Experience, and Skills? |
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| Does my education section state my official degree and expected graduation date? Did I include my cumulative GPA (if a 3.0 or above)? Is my GPA accurate? |
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| Do my statements demonstrate major accomplishments rather than routine tasks/duties? Check the statements that demonstrate your accomplishments. |
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| Do my accomplishment statements start with action verbs? (See below for examples of action verbs.) |
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| Do my accomplishment statements demonstrate the use of key skills? (See top skills employers seek.) |
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| Do my statements demonstrate the results of my accomplishments? Did I quantify my results (e.g. use numbers when possible)? |
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| Does my resume end with strength? (e.g. Skills, Activities section) |
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| Is my resume completely free from spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors? |
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Action Words
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accomplished
achieved
adapted
administered
advised
analyzed
arranged
assembled
assessed
authored
balanced
bargained
broadened
budgeted
built
calculated
classified
communicated
compiled
|
completed
composed
concluded
conducted
coordinated
corresponded
created
demonstrated
designed
developed
directed
drafted
earned
edited
encouraged
established
evaluated
examined
explained |
familiarized
formulated
gained
generated
identified
implemented
improvised
increased
influenced
initiated
instructed
interpreted
interviewed
introduced
investigated
maintained
managed
marketed
moderated |
monitored
motivated
negotiated
obtained
operated
organized
participated
planned
presented
produced
programmed
promoted
provided
purchased
recruited
reduced
represented
researched
reviewe |
scheduled
selected
solved
started
streamlined
strengthened
structured
supervised
surveyed
taught
tested trained
transformed
translated
traveled
updated
upgraded
utilized
wrote |
Top Skills Employers Want
- Communication skills
- Strong work ethic
- Teamwork skills (works well with others)
- Initiative
- Analytical skills
- Computer skills
- Flexibility/adaptability
- Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
- Problem-solving skills
- Technical skills