Edit and Proofread
Once you have a solid draft resume in place, the next stage is revision. Ideally, you'll have time to put the draft away for a day or so you can view it with fresh eyes.
To assist you with this process, we've put together a quick checklist. It helps you answer questions like these about your resume:
- Does it clearly communicate who I am and what I offer?
- Is the language concise and keyword rich?
- Is it attractive and easy to scan?
We also include links you can follow for more information. See the right-hand column for sections on planning, researching, and writing your resume.
| Your resume overall | Complete? | For more information |
My resume sells me, my accomplishments, and my brand so readers know exactly what I offer. | ||
The top half of my resume includes a summary or profile that sums up my strengths and experience. |
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I have researched my job target, employer requirements, and my own qualifications, and my resume reflects all three. |
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My resume contains all of the necessary elements and is in a format that's appropriate to my goals. |
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Your use of language | ||
My resume is written in concise, resume-appropriate language, not full sentences. |
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I have used specific keywords like œMicrosoft Access rather than general terms like œgood computer skills. |
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Overall look and feel of the resume | ||
There is plenty of white space so the resume is easy to scan and text is not overwhelming to readers. |
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I have used headings and bullets to break up content and present information logically and effectively. |
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The spacing between sections and under headings is consistent. |
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Get some feedback on your resume
In addition to doing your own edit, we highly recommend that you have someone you trust read and comment on your resume. Do they œget your brand? Does your resume do a good job of selling your qualifications for the job target you're after? Is it easy to read and understand?
Proofread, proofread, proofread!
We cannot emphasize enough that nothing will get your resume tossed into the œNO pile faster than careless typos. So proofread your resume several times yourself, and have at least one other person proofread it as well.
Once you've done the appropriate revision and quality checks, it's time to market your resume to prospective œbuyers.