14 Resume Guides: Expert Tips for Every Jobseeker

How to Use These Resume Guides on Your Job Search

Navigating the workforce can be tricky, especially if you don’t consider yourself a great writer. Between resumes, cover letters, email, and other types of correspondence, knowing what will work and what won’t is critical.
Our resume writing guides will show you the way through the work search and the most delicate of workplace scenarios

Resume Guide: How to Make a Resume for a First Job

Our resume guide for making a resume for a first job can help you get your foot in the door! We’ve prepared these dos and don’ts to help:

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DO’s

Include a skills summary
Mention your recent work experience
Use specific examples of how you made a difference
Use bullet points to your demonstrate your experience and achievements
Use creative designs with your bullet points
Create an education section
Format, format, format
Focus on the top third of your resume

DONT’s

Choose the wrong resume format
Use a “Career Objectives” section
Omit internships
Forget to add volunteer work
Skip adding data and metrics to your resume
Be creative with section titles – stick to standard headers
Include references
Include your physical mailing address

Resume Guide: How to Mention Experience
in a Resume

Knowing how to mention experience in a resume can help you get your foot in the door! Use the dos and don’ts we prepared in our resume guide for help:
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DO’s

Focus on experience in your summary statement
Mention genuine skills based on experience
Describe your unique work experience
Describe your educational experience in a separate section
Make it relevant with specific examples

DONT’s

Waste the opportunity to show off in your Professional Summary
Be afraid to repeat critical skills throughout
Skip adding data and metrics to your resume
Forget to personalize each resume to the job ad.
Choose the wrong resume format

Resume Guide: How to Describe a Serving Job
on a Resume

How you describe a service job on a resume is critical to getting an interview. Use these dos and don’ts in our resume guide to see how to get your point across:

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DO’s

Demonstrate your understanding of the job’s requirement
Use active words
Provide real examples and successes to improve your resume
Use short but specific details
Know the importance of your previous experience
Include the required resume sections
Follow traditional resume formats
Keep your resume’s appearance in mind while proofreading

DONT’s

Forget to mention your customer service skills
Don’t stay mum on your communication skills
Use boring adjectives
Exclude relevant experience
Forget the metrics
Skip the special training you have acquired
Neglect to find the right resume format
Forget to proofread

Resume Guide: How to List Awards on a Resume

A prestigious award or recognition can elevate your resume to the top of the interesting pile. Use these do’s and don’t to make your expertise sing.

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DO’s

Compile a relevant or impressive list of awards
List your awards chronologically or by importance
Be specific by using dates
Mention the benefactor of your award
List your awards near the bottom of your resume
List the same award once, but differentiate with dates

DONT’s

Don’t number your list
Forget to add the title, date, and organization of each award
Add duplicates of the same award
Use an award that doesn’t relate to the job requirements
Replace crucial resume sections like experience or skills – add a whole new award section
List fictional awards

Resume Guide: How to Write Work Experience on a Resume

Our resume guide for how to write work experience on a resume can help you succeed in your job search. Use our list of dos and don’ts to increase your chances of getting an interview:

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DO’s

Determine the needs of the position
Rate your accomplishments
Choose your words carefully
Describe your work experience with skills and responsibility
Only mention relevant work experience
Proofread yourself, ask a friend to proofread – then proofread again

DONT’s

Don’t be afraid to brainstorm
Forgo the opportunity to write a great Professional Summary
Be afraid to repeats critical skills in multiple sections
Skip adding data and metrics to your resume
Forget to add keywords from the job ad
Choose the wrong resume format

Letter Guide: How to Create a Cover Letter

Our guide to how to create a cover letter can help you show recruiters how much you’ll bring to the table! We’ve prepared these dos and don’ts to help you express your most noteworthy work experience:

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DO’s

Consider the job requirements
Introduce yourself
Demonstrate your understanding of the company ideas
Explain your interest in role
Describe your qualifications
Make the case for yourself through examples
Follow a coherent train of thought
End with your contact information and availability

DONT’s

Neglect keywords in the job ad
Forget to research the company
Skip presenting what you’ll add
Assume an overly familiar tone.
Forget to mention relevant skills.
Neglect to expand on your resume
Forgo connecting your skills to the job ad
Skip copy editing – it’s crucial

Letter Guide: How to Start a Cover Letter

Our guide on how to start a cover letter can help you make a great first impression on recruiters! Our dos and don’ts can help you cover all your bases:

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DO’s

Research best practices
Describe your value
Personalize the greeting
Write a great opening line
Introduce yourself and qualifications
Include references Mention any referrals
Continue with a warm, professional letter
End your letter positively

DONT’s

Use the same cover letter for every role
Neglect to study the job ad’s keywords
Write a generic salutation.
Assume an overly familiar tone.
Bury the lead – what makes you perfect for this role?
Write about your needs
Forget to use data to show your impact
Skip copyediting

Letter Guide: How to Write a Cover Letter for
a Job Application

Do you know how to write a cover letter for a job application? Our resume guide can help! We’ve prepared these dos and don’ts to show you the way:

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DO’s

Know your reader
Do your research
Showcase your qualifications
Craft a compelling narrative
Reuse keywords from the job ad
Include your relevant skills
Elaborate details from your resume
End with an appropriate sign off

DONT’s

Submit a generic cover letter
Write a generic salutation.
Assume an overly familiar tone.
Neglect to study the job ad for keywords
Be shy – what makes you perfect for this role?
Make it about you – focus on the company’s needs
Forget to use data and numbers
Skip copyediting

Letter Guide: How to Write a Letter of Intent

Letters of intent can be tricky but our guide to how to write a letter of intent can help! We’ve prepared these dos and don’ts to show you how:

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DO’s

Do some background research
Start with a personalized greeting
Introduce yourself and your professional interest
State your specific intent
Explain your interest
Share your proposed vision
Demonstrate how you’re a good fit
End with a strong close

DONT’s

Skip your research
Use a generic salutation
Use an overly casual tone
Forget to state the reason you are writing
Neglect to mention what you have to offer
Forgo mentioning soft skills
Don’t skip adding data and numbers
Be aggressive. Maintain a humble tone

Letter Guide: How to Write an Appeal Letter

Confused about how to write an appeal letter? We can help you! We’ve prepared these dos and don’ts to help you find the right words:

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DO’s

Be direct
Share clear facts with evidence
Retain a professional tone
Claim responsibility for your mistakes
Address your letter appropriately
Be polite and patient

DONT’s

Embellish – stick to the facts
Play the blame game
Don’t forget to use clear, concise language
Don’t skimp on format
Don’t forget to apologize
Skip mentioning the value you add

Letter Guide: How to Write an Application Letter

A great application letter can set you apart from the competition! We’ve prepared these dos and don’ts to help you make a great first impression:

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DO’s

Do some in-depth research
Find the correct addressee
Include a strongly written introduction
Demonstrate genuine excitement for the role
Share relevant, new information
Share valuable resources
Start strong, end strong

DONT’s

Forget to research the name of the hiring manager
Skip adding a personal detail about the company
Use a casual tone
Forget to show your value
Forget to add keywords from the job ad
Forgo elaborating on your skills
Forget data and metrics
Submit a flawed resume – always proofread

Letter Guide: How to Write an Appointment Letter

Our guide to on how to write an appointment letter can help you get your foot in the door! We’ve prepared these dos and don’ts to help you make a solid impression:

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DO’s