5 Do-Not's For Your Resume

There are endless possibilities and critiques for resumes but here are our top 5 DO NOT's for your resume:

1. DO NOT lie or exaggerate
   It is easy to lie and exaggerate on a resume, and many people feel that they will get away with it. Surely some will, however do not take the chance. You will be asked questions in your job interviews and over the course of your employment from which your prior experience will be of value. Many organizations also do background checks and with the accessibility of social media it is easier than ever to gather information about your previous work experience. Don't get caught in the trap - tell the truth.
2. DO NOT commit the easy mistakes
   There are too many mistakes that are frequently made which could easily be corrected. Be sure to spell check and have someone review your resume to check for typos and poor grammar. Do not include fancy fonts or paper - stick with easily readable text such as Arial and white paper. Be sure that you include your contact information. Do not include unprofessional email addresses such as sweetthang@hotmail.com. Create an email address with your name: yourname@gmail.com. Do not frivolously bold, highlight, and underline text. Only headings and job titles should be bolded or underlined.
3. DO NOT leave holes
   Be sure that all information, such as your previous work experience, is listed in chronological order with the most recent first. Be sure to date all experiences including your education. Employers do not like to see gaps on resumes. If you were unemployed for a long duration of time simply state in one line - Unemployed - no need to explain further on the subject. Bold all job titles for easy viewing by employers.
4. DO NOT write too long of a resume
   Most resumes should be no longer than 3 pages. 3 page resumes are usually reserved for those applying for professional positions which require an education, otherwise a resume should not exceed 2 pages. Keep your resume short and to the point while highlighting important information relevant to that job. Do not write paragraphs, keep information in point form.
5. DO NOT share too much information
   Too many people share too much personal information that is unimportant to hiring managers. Do not include your birthday, religion, weight, height, hobbies, social security number, marital status, number of children, sexual orientation, life goals or your picture. You should also not include links to your personal Facebook or Twitter pages. The only exception to this rule is if this information is integral to the position you are applying for - the only people who should require pictures are actors and models. The only people who should require Facebook or Twitter information are employers hiring for social media managers. Unless expressly requested, leave this information out of your resume.