RESUME CHECKLIST
General Formatting
□ Each section has at Least Two Entries in it (except possibly education).
□ Entries are in Reverse Chronological format (most recent first).
□ Consistent Spacing and structure to spread out text using tabs, alignment, etc.
□ No Spelling/Grammar Errors: Proofread by at least two people with excellent writing skills.
Contact Information
□ Include: your name, professional email address, phone number, and local mailing address.
□ No Personal Information (i.e. age, marital status, etc.).
Personal Summary or Highlights Section
□ Introduces accomplishments, Sets the Tone and provides a reason for the employer to keep reading.
□ No Objective Statement(s): Often focus on you rather than what you can do for employer.
□ Includes some of the most Relevant Keywords from job description(s) into your resume.
Work and/or Volunteer Experience Section(s)
□ Each Entry Includes: job title, organisation name and location (city, province), and start and end dates.
□ Use Accomplishment Statements instead of listing tasks or responsibilities. Include:
Challenge or Context – What was the circumstance/issue/problem?
Action – What specific skills or efforts did you take to resolve the issue?
Result – What was good for customers, co-workers or organisation? Use numbers when possible.
□ Each accomplishment statement begins with a Strong Active Verb.
□ Each entry contains Two to Five Accomplishment Statements.
Education
□ No High School entry. It is irrelevant if earning a post-secondary degree/diploma.
□ Each Entry Includes degree/diploma, major(s)/minor(s)/program(s) of study, name and location of post-
secondary institution (city, province), and year of (anticipated) graduation.
□ Optional: Accolades/awards, GPA (if impressive), and extracurricular clubs (if in leadership role).
Other Sections
□ May include: professional affiliations, certifications/training, interests/activities, awards, etc.
□ No references or “references available upon request” statement included in your resume.
