Resume Drafting: It's All About the Details

By: Kandice Thorn

What is the purpose of a resume?  Most people would answer that the purpose of a resume is to convey your credentials to a potential employer.  While this is true, the purpose is actually much broader than that.  Your resume is also a sample of your very best work.

An employer who reads your resume is not just looking at the content, but is also looking at the resume's composition for attention to detail, organization skills, and professional judgment.  Having a resume that demonstrates these skills can land you an interview even if your background is not a perfect fit for the position; likewise, even if you have the ideal credentials, sloppiness can land your resume in the "no" pile.  Think of it like interview attire: if you show up to an interview in your pajamas, it doesn't matter what you say in the interview, you aren't getting the job!


Here are some of the most common mistakes I see:

• Spelling and grammatical errors or typos.  At a minium, your resume should contain no typos or spelling/grammatical errors.  
• Insufficient spacing after headings and between entries.  Your spacing should not be squished.  Make sure you have adequate spacing between your sections/entries.  This makes your resume easier to read.
• Overuse of bullet points.  We tend to think of bullet points as the paradigm of organization and they can be helpful, but only if used appropriately and judiciously.  If your resume would still be clear and organized without the bullets, the bullets are superfluous and should be omitted.  
• Inconsistency.  Be aware of the choices you are making as you are drafting.  For example, if you type "NY" for the state in your address, you are making a choice to use the abbreviation rather than typing out "New York."  In other places where you list a state, you should also use the abbreviation.
• Length.  Remember that the person reviewing your resume is probably reviewing many resumes and does not have a lot of time.  A two or three page resume can be very tedious and demonstrates a lack of professional judgment.  Having a shorter resume shows that you know how to edit to present the most relevant information and also shows respect for the reviewer, who will appreciate having your information presented in a concise manner.