1. HARICKLIA 1
5 Things RecruitmentConsultantsLook for in Resumes (*usually inthe followingorder)
1. Overall appearance – Cleanlayout,matchingfonts,matchingindentation,andproperuse of
bulletpoints.Thismightsoundpicky,butIamhiringyouto be a professionalandthisisyourfirst
opportunitytoshowme that youactuallyhave the “attentionto detial” that you claiminyour
“Skills”section.
2. Longevity – I wouldfirstscan the datesof the resume.Anygapsinemployment?Jobhopping
(manyshortlengthsof employment)?These are redflagsand,if theycoincide withother
questionable items,couldmeanyourresume doesn’tmake itpastmy“reviewed –notsuitable”file.
3. Matching experience –I am lookingfora personto performa specificsetof tasks – have you
done anyof these before?Ordoyouhave comparable experience thatcouldtranslate intothe
positionIam lookingtofill?
4. English 101 – Grammar, spelling,andsyntax errorsare strictlyforbidden.Doyouuse the oxford
comma? If not,start. It’snot a game-ender,butitisa mark againstyou.I have literallydisqualified
otherwise goodcandidates due topoorgrammar or spellingerrors –use spell checkorhave a
grammar-nazi friendproof yourresume,itcouldbe the differenceinyouremploymentstatus.And
thengo pickup one of these grammarbookssonexttime youknow whatanoxfordcommais.
5. Contact information– If you have successfullyimpressedme inthe first4 itemsthenIwant to
contact you.Leave an email andphone number,please.If youare a seriouscontenderyoumayget
calledforan interview ASAP.Also,leavingyourphone numbershowsme youare actuallycommitted
because Ican geta holdof a real,live,breathingpersonandnota cold,deademail box tonowhere.

2. HARICKLIA 2
5 Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing
1. Be honest – Most HR/recruitmentconsultantshave aknackfor beingable totell froma resume if
someone isbeingtruthful intheirrepresentation. If youare only20 I donot expectyouto have had
5 years’experience inyourdesiredfield.If youhave unique experience,tell me,Imightbe looking
for someone whohasthe know-how/risk-takingattitude/flexibilitytotravel thatyourexperience
shows.
2. Don’t include everything– I onlywantwhatis importantand/orrelevant.Unlessyouare a recent
highschool grad (3 yearsmax),leave yourhonorsawardsoff yourresume.Youare applyingfora job
inthe real world,highschool doesn’tmatteranymore.If youworkedarandomjobfor 3 monthsin
betweentwolong-termjobs,leave itoutunlessthe experience orresponsibilitiesveryspecifically
correlate tothe jobfor whichyouare applying.Also,Idonot needtoknow everysingle detail of
your jobresponsibilitiesatyourpreviousjob,justenoughtogetanaccurate sense of yourposition.
*Keepyourresume to1 page.*Seriously.Thisisimportant.If Isee astaple I think,“5 pointswill be
takenfromGryffindor.”One page issufficientforme toknow if you deserve aninterview.
3. Stand out – If at all possible,donotuse a wordtemplate foryourresume.Don’tgetme wrong.It
isa greatstartingpointto ensure you have all the vital information.Pleasedonotstopthere.Donot
email thatto me.It will lookexactlylike the 25otherresume I have receivedthatday,whichmakes
it instantlyforgettable. There are resume servicesthatofferamazing-lookingresumes forgreat
pricesand evenEtsyhastemplatesthatare beautiful andmemorable.(Ihave some examplesand
resourcesforyouhere.) Butremember,don’tbe all “pickme!pickme!”desperate bygoingoverthe
top flashy.Erroron the side of interestingbutrefined.(see #4).
4. Make it readable – We’re talkingfontchoice,fontsize,colors,formatting,andtenses.Stickto2-3
fonts,2-3 colors,and 2-3 sizes –max. Garishfonts,lightandhard-to-readfontcolors,anda heavy
mixture of fontstylesandsizes causesvisual confusionandisjustplainannoying.Youdonot wantto
aggravate the personreadingyourresume.Youwantthe HR Repto like youandsay “This guy.He’s
legit.”Not“Thisguy – picka fontalready,bro!”
5. If emailing– Name your doc FirstNameLastNameResumeMonthYear.pdfyoujustsavedme time in
havingto rename thatfile (thankyou) andshowedme thatyouthinkaheadbyprovidingaPFD
because nowI can easily,view,save,andprintwithouthavingtoopenwhateverrandomnotepad
applicationyoumayhave used – and now I am more likelytorememberyourname andhave
positive feelingstowardyou!Win-win.