12+ Resume do’s and don’ts
Your resume is the most important document in your job search process. It’s a marketing tool to highlight your experience to the hiring manager, and first impressions matter.
When you submit a resume to a potential employer, it should include your contact information, a summary of your professional experience, achievements and details that showcase your skills with examples of accomplishments.
Here are some resume tips to help you create the best initial impression.
The do’s of resume of writing
- Highlight your most relevant experience and achievement for each role. Emphasize results and accomplishments delivered, not tasks.
- Customize your resume to match the specific job requirements. Use keywords that, at a glance, will show the hiring manager you’re a good fit.
- Include project work and volunteer experience that showcases your skills through demonstrated results.
- Use data whenever possible. Quantify results and achievements to show how much, how many, the percentage increase or reduction, etc.
- Use action verbs at the start of each sentence.
- Optimize for applicant tracking systems. Use appropriate keywords. Format properly. Keep fancy graphics, fonts and elements to a minimum.
The don’ts of resume writing
- Don’t use “I” in describing accomplishments. For example, write “Collaborated with a team,” not “I collaborated with a team.”
- Don’t use text and chat abbreviations or emojis like “@” for “at.”
- Don’t include obvious skills like Microsoft Word. It’s a given that corporate job seekers can use well-known software.
- Don’t go overboard with formatting. Stick to a clean, easy-to-read format.
- Don’t make a general claim without backing it up with examples. For example, instead of saying “team player,” provide information reflecting this skill.
- Don’t misrepresent your education and experience. It’s important to showcase your global education as an international student while accurately reflecting each detail.
MPOWER Financing career and resume support
If you have an MPOWER Financing student loan, consider exploring MPOWER’s free Path2Success program, which offers career support services, including:
- A guided internship and job search tool for F-1, OPT and H-1B visa-sponsored roles
- A resume builder to match targeted job requirements
- Job application support with profile and skill set match
- A directory of F-1 eligible job roles for STEM and non-STEM degrees
Final thoughts: Resume tips for international students
By following these tips and using available resources, you can create a compelling resume that effectively showcases your skills and experiences, increasing your chances of landing your dream job in the U.S. job market.
Start refining your resume today to take the next step toward your professional goals as an international postgraduate student in the U.S.
