PREPARE

Although there is no absolute right or wrong, here are some helpful guidelines when deciding what to include and what not to include in your resume.

• Include paid AND non-paid experience, especially if the non-paid experience relates to the job you are seeking. However, even if it is not related, employers love community contributors! It shows that you are conscientious and value “experience” more than a “paycheck.”
• Be specific when writing job duties, but focus especially on the tasks you performed that can relate to the job you are applying for.
• Where applicable, list your employment experience at least 10 years back.
• This is your time to market yourself so include all awards, memberships, honors, special skills, and positive character traits.
• Include any professional organizations that you belonged to and be sure to emphasize if you were an officer for that organization. This will show your leadership quality.
• Do not include personal information such as social security number, age, weight, height, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, etc. Except in rare cases, this information should have no bearing on your suitability for the job.
• There is no need to include work addresses, phone numbers, supervisor names and other company details on the resume. Save that information for the job application. This resume is about your skills and achievements; focus on that.
• Do not include reference names and contact information on a resume. Save that for a separate sheet.
• Lastly, if you are lacking in relevant experience, focus on the transferable skills that you have acquired from your other jobs. Also, a steady work history (even in an unrelated field) shows the employer that you are a loyal, reliable employee—something every employer wants!

• Exaggerating and/or lying on your resume.

  Exaggerating or lying about your education or experience may help you get the job, but will also put you at risk to be terminated if your lies are discovered. Today, many companies have corporate policies regarding screening applicants to ensure that they are giving complete and accurate information (e.g. reference and background checks). If you are caught in your lie, this will affect your ability to get the job as well as your reputation. This is especially true in close-knit industries or small labor markets, like Hawaii. To be safe, focus on your past achievements and if you find areas of weakness, make a plan to improve those areas so that you can list accomplishments truthfully and accurately.

• Typosand grammatical errors.

  In today's technological age of spell check and grammar check, errors of this sort are unacceptable. When employers receive hundreds of resumes, one typo could instantly put your resume in the "file pile." So proofread your work and have others proofread it as well.

• Inconsistent Formats

  Employers who look at resumes all day long are experts in recognizing when your formats are inconsistent. This indicates a sloppy presentation and affects your credibility as a professional. Take the time to do your resume right. Use consistent font styles, font sizes, text highlights, order of information, etc. Paying attention to the details will reflect on your professionalism.

• "Cute" layouts and incorrect paper.

  Remember, you are applying for a job, not creating a party invitation. Therefore, chose the appropriate paper (not cardstock or copy paper) and eliminate the cute graphics.

• Revealing too much about yourself.

  Although honesty is the best policy, sharing information about yourself that is not related to the job can backfire on you. Employers are human too and therefore bring with them unintentional biases. Steer clear of revealing information related to ethnicity, age, religious affiliation, political preference, family situation, medical status, and negative life experiences, especially if these have no bearing on whether or not you can perform the job