University of California Berkeley Career Guide - Flipbook - Page 26
Resume Checklist
Resume Checklist
• Is your name, phone number and email at the top of the page? Physical address is optional.
• Is the resume pleasing to the eye with an easy-to-read font size and typeface, and an easy-to-follow layout? Can
an employer learn the basics about you with a 10-second glance at it?
• Did you use bullets, bold, all capitals, and/or underlining to highlight the parts you want to emphasize (e.g., job
titles)?
• Did you tailor your resume for the position by including key skills and experiences the employer wants?
• Is information listed in order of importance and relevance to the requirements listed in the job description?
• Does the resume avoid generalities and provide specific information about context, actions taken, and results?
• Do most phrases begin with action verbs such as “developed,” “initiated,” etc.?
• Have you been accurate and truthful about your accomplishments rather than being too modest or
exaggerating?
• Did you check the spelling of every word and make sure the grammar and punctuation are correct?
• If you know your resume will be scanned, did you omit columns, underlining, and bullets?
• Have you had a Career Educator or Peer Advisor critique your resume?
• If you were the employer, would you call you for an interview?
Do’s & Don’ts
Do:
• Draft a clear and well-organized
document.
• Bachelor’s candidate resumes should
be no more than two pages of relevant
information.
• CVs should be no more than 4 pages in
length.
• Check the spelling of every word and
ensure there are no errors. Customize the
content for the organization or opportunity.
• Describe duties and accomplishments in
bullets. Quantify results when possible.
Keep format consistent throughout
document.
Don’t
• Include a picture or personal information
such as weight, height, marital status, SSN,
age, race, and religion.
• Use personal pronouns such as I, me, or my.
• Exaggerate your experiences.
• Start bullet points with “Responsible for” or
“Duties included.”
• State current or previous salaries unless
explicitly instructed to do so.
Proofreading
• Any typo or grammatical mistake on your resume or CV can indicate that you are not detail oriented.
• Do not rely on spell check to catch misspelled words. You should have several reliable people proofread your
document before you send it out.
26
