Resume Checklist & Insight

To help y ou create the most compelling resume, we offer you this interactive, self-serve resume checklist to analyze key elements of a basic resume.  For your convenience, the checklist is formatted as a Google Sheet. When you click on the link below, you will be prompted to make a personal copy of the resource. You are welcome to share access to your copy of the checklist with others who are helping you review your resume.

ACCESS THE RESUME CHECKLIST

Insight into "learn more" checklist content

Many of the checklist items (linked above) are self-explanatory.  Additional context can be accessed through "learn more" links on the Google Sheet.  Please see below for details for these content items.

• Audience/reader is a recruiter, not you
  Although it is tempting to record all of the accomplishments you are most proud of, keep in mind that the only person who matters when reading your resume is the recruiter.  Focus your resume content to be as compelling as possible from the point of view of the recruiter who is reading about you. You may only get 7 seconds of their time, so make your resume easy to read through. Recruiters are often overwhelmed with numerous resumes and have limited time to review each one. The key is to make your qualifications and accomplishments easily accessible and compelling from the recruiter's point of view.
  
  
• Section headers are appropriate and tailored to the position
  Your section headers play a crucial role in guiding the reader through your document. By customizing these headers to align with the job you're applying for, you can immediately signal your suitability for the role. For example, if you're pursuing a marketing position, instead of having a typical "Work Experience" section, consider creating a dedicated "Marketing Experience" section that highlights your relevant experience, projects, and skills related specifically to marketing. By doing this, you can also include a separate "Other Professional Experience" section that allows you to showcase additional experiences that may demonstrate transferable skills or a well-rounded background, reinforcing your qualifications.
  
  
• Does not include an "objective" or "references"
  Adding an "objective" statement on your resume has become obsolete. When you apply for a job, it's understood that your objective is to secure that position. Including an objective statement can take up valuable space that could be better used to highlight your qualifications more effectively. Likewise, mentioning "references available upon request" at the bottom of your resume is unnecessary. It's expected that you can provide references when asked, so there's no need to dedicate precious real estate on the page to this text. Instead, use that space to focus on your skills, achievements, and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the job.
   
• Abbreviations (if used) are recognizable by recruiter
  In the world of recruiting, clarity is paramount. While acronyms and abbreviations can save space, they should be used judiciously and only if the recruiter is likely to understand them. Recruiters review a diverse range of resumes, and they may not be familiar with specialized acronyms or abbreviations. To avoid confusion, consider spelling out the full terms or provide explanations for less common abbreviations, ensuring that your resume is accessible and easily comprehensible.
   
• Font sizes are appropriate and proportional
  The choice of font sizes significantly impacts its readability and overall presentation. To strike the right balance, it's advisable to adhere to a consistent and well-proportioned font scheme. Typically, a 10-point font for the main body text and 12-point bold for section headers works well.  Keep in mind that white space is good to maintain.  It's essential to exercise restraint and avoid excessive variation in font sizes, as this can detract from the resume's professionalism and coherence.  To optimize readability, avoid having more than two font sizes, and avoid having the larger font be more than 4 points larger than your regular body font.
   
• Conservative use of bold and italics, no underlines
  Overusing formatting styles can lead to visual clutter and make the document appear less professional. Formatting elements, such as bold and italics, should be employed thoughtfully to draw attention to key information on your resume (typically, just section headers or a job title/employer under your work experience would be boldface). Underlining text is generally distracting and counterproductive, and it may cause confusion with hyperlinks (which are typically underlined). If you use italcs and/or boldface text, be consistent with how you apply them.
   
• Consistent alignment of content on the right side of the page
  Consistency in formatting and alignment enhances the overall professionalism and readability of your resume. Inconsistent spacing for dates (and other content) on the right side of your page could be a sign of a lack of attention to detail or an inability to effectively use technology. Ensuring that content, such as dates, aligns consistently on the right side of the page maintains a clean, organized, and consistent appearance. This alignment not only contributes to visual harmony but also facilitates ease of navigation for the reader, allowing them to focus on the content itself.  Be sure to not use tables for formatting, as this will adversely affect your resume being read by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
   
• White space between sections
  White space makes your resume more readable!  Avoid trying to fill up the page with text.  Use white space to guide the reader's eye to compelling content. White space serves as visual separation between different sections of your document, preventing it from appearing cluttered and overwhelming. Adequate spacing not only enhances the visual appeal but also helps guide the recruiter's eye, making it easier for them to navigate and absorb the information presented in a logical and coherent manner. If you need to create white space, remove items that are not applicable or transferrable to the job you are applying to.  Also, learn the difference with a hard return vs. soft return when typing your resume.
   
• ATS-friendly (no tables, columns, headers, footers, text boxes)
  In the digital age of recruiting, ensuring that your resume is compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS) is critical. Virtually every large organization uses an ATS in some way to faciliate the review of applicants. These systems replace humans by reviewing hundreds of resumes in a short period of time, rejecting many (sometimes up to 75%) due to not meeting established criteria.  ATS scan resumes for relevant keywords and information to score your resume and determine if it should be reviewed by a human.  Scores typically are related to how closely the words in your resume are correlated to keywords in the job description.  Complex formatting of your resume document can adversely impact the effectiveness of ATS. To optimize ATS compatibility, avoid complex formatting elements like tables, columns, headers, footers, and text boxes. Instead, opt for a straightforward, text-based format. This simplification ensures that your resume can be parsed accurately by ATS software, increasing your chances of passing the initial screening phase.
   
• Legal name and preferred first name included 
  Including both your legal name and preferred first name (if applicable) on your resume to demonstrate respect for your preferred identity, while ensuring clarity in professional communication. This practice allows recruiters to address you appropriately and professionally, fostering a positive initial impression.  Including your legal name may also expedite hiring in the future; the name on  your resume should match your identification documentation (passport, driver's license, work authorization card, etc.).
   
• Name is an appropriately-sized font and boldface
  It's essential to ensure that your name stands out on your resume by using an appropriately sized font in boldface. Your name should be the largest text element on the page, typically somewhere between 18 and 24 points, to make it instantly noticeable to recruiters. A bold, powerful font helps recruiters remember your name after a quick scan of your resume.  Using a different font, such as thick, bold letters (e.g. Arial, Helvetica, etc.), can also make your resume appear more aesthetically pleasing and draw more attention to your name.
   
• Omit your street address
  There is no need to provide your full mailing address (street-level detail) on your resume.  Including your home city and state is optional, and it can be relevant if the job you're applying for is located in your hometown. In such cases, including the city/state can demonstrate your local connection and understanding of the area. Your city/state, regardless where you are from, can also be a great conversation point during an interview -- you never know the recruiter's connection to your hometown (perhaps they also grew up there or have visited).  There is no need to include your local, ND address on your resume. While your residence hall can be a great conversation starter if a recruiter is an alum, you can communicate your residence hall information in your activities/leadership section of your resume and save space in your header.
   
• LinkedIn URL is shortened (no random numbers and letters)
  When including your LinkedIn profile on your resume, use a shortened and customized URL. In case you are not aware, LinkedIn allows you to create a custom URL with your name, making it clean and professional. Avoid using the default URL, which includes random numbers and letters, as it appears cluttered on your resume.  This simple edit also makes you appear more professional and adept at technology and networking.  To update your URL, click on your profile picture on the upper right toolbar,  select "View Profile," and then select "Public profile & URL" to make the appropriate edits.  In case you are not familar with this, here's the difference:   
  • Default LinkedIn URL:    linkedin.com/in/edward-sorin-1bdh31dg
  • Custom LinkedIn URL:   linkedin.com/in/edward-sorin
• Do I need to include my LinkedIn URL on my resume?
  About 3 in 4 ND students have a LinkedIn profile. Some profiles are amazing, while others are pretty thin with content or are outdated.  Your LinkedIn can be an asset or a liability. Similar to including a link to your Github profile or a personal website, including your LinkedIn URL on your resume gives employers a teaser that there is more to learn about you. While not all employers will click on the link, your URL can create curiosity.  Consider your LinkedIn profile to be a deeper look into your experiences and professional brand. Some employers will want to research more about you, particularly if you are applying to a competitive position.  Small things like a personal website with a portfolio of your work, or a thorough LinkedIn profile with a robust "about" section, can make a difference in getting an offer for an interview or getting passed over.  While your resume is limited to one page, your LinkedIn profile can be as detailed as you want. Upload documents, describe your experiences, celebrate wins of others, and let your personality show.  A final LinkedIn tip... anytime you update your resume, also take a few minutes to update your LinkedIn profile.
   
• Lead with Notre Dame education 
  Highlighting your affiliation with Notre Dame can immediately capture the recruiter's attention. If you are a first-year student or sophomore and you have listed your high school degree, be sure that Notre Dame is the first entry.  Same holds true with study abroad -- your Notre Dame entry goes first.  Be sure to also include the "anticipated May 20XX" graduation date if you have not yet graduated.
   
• Consider removing high school starting junior year 
  When you applied for admission to Notre Dame, did you include awards and recognitions from your grade school? Of course not.  Similarly, it is very common to remove  high school information once you reach junior year. By junior year, your college experiences and achievements have become more relevant and should take precedence on your resume. High school details, including where you graduated from, what activities you were involved in, and honors you received, can be omitted to create a more recently-focused and concise document. An exception to this is if you are applying for a job in the same hometown as where you went to high school or if  you went to a high school where you believe there would be a connection with the recruiter or employer. Including your high school can create a personal connection with the recruiter/employer, but there is no need to include a summary of all of your high school activities and accomplishments. There are also situations where your high school experience can be a great conversation starter. For example, if you attended a military academy for high school provided you a unique leadership experience that would make you very marketable to a prospective employer.  The most important thing to remember (when considering whether or not to include high school information), is if the recruiter/employer would find this valuable information to have.
  
  
• Academic honors (if included) are recognizable to the recruiter 
  If you choose to list academic honors on your resume, ensure that they are recognizable and meaningful to recruiters. Common academic honors, such as Dean's List or honor socieites, can bolster your candidacy. However, if you include less common honors, provide brief explanations to clarify their significance and relevance, particularly, how selective the honor was.
   
• No passive voice
  Using active voice throughout your resume is essential to convey a sense of action and personal achievement in a concise way that saves space. Active voice sentences clearly state who performed the action and what was achieved, creating a dynamic and engaging narrative. Avoid passive voice constructions, as they can make your accomplishments appear less direct and impactful. Here is an example of passive vs. active voice:
  • Passive voice: A series of workshops on time management and study skills were designed and implemented by me, and improvements in academic performance were observed among fellow students.
  • Active voice: Designed and implemented a series of workshops on time management and study skills, helping 25 fellow students improve their academic performance.
    
    
• Begin bullets with compelling action verbs
  

  The verbs you select will convey a sense of proactivity and achievement, immediately grabbing the reader's attention. Avoid starting bullets with pronouns; instead, opt for starting with action-focused verbs.  These verbs, at the start of your bullet points, create a more dynamic and engaging narrative, allowing you to showcase your accomplishments effectively. Examples of compelling action verbs include "managed," "initiated," "implemented," "achieved," and "led," among others. These words help communicate your capacity to take charge and make a difference in your roles and responsibilities. Recruiters often skim through resumes quickly, and beginning with action verbs ensures that your qualifications and impact are immediately evident, increasing the chances of a more thorough review.
  
  

• Avoid repeating action verbs 
  

  To create a more varied and engaging resume, it's important to avoid the repetition of action verbs throughout your document. Repeated use of the same action verbs can make your resume appear less dynamic. By using a diverse range of action verbs, you can maintain the reader's interest. Different action verbs also emphasize different skills and attributes, allowing you to present a well-rounded profile to potential employers. While avoiding repetition, it's crucial to maintain concise expression. The goal is to present unique accomplishments and responsibilities effectively without unnecessary wordiness. By avoiding the repetition of action verbs, you also enhance the overall readability and impact of your resume, ensuring that it effectively communicates your skills and achievements. 
  
  

• Use XYZ format to articulate impact (if possible)
  The "XYZ" format is a structured way to communicate the impact of your actions. It involves presenting the action you took (X), the task or problem addressed (Y), and the positive outcome achieved (Z).This format provides clarity and allows recruiters to quickly grasp the significance of your achievements. Here are a few examples (highlighting the action, task, and result):

  • "Executed a targeted email campaign (Action) to reach 500 prospective clients (Task), resulting in a 20% increase in lead conversions (Result)."

  • "Collaborated with the marketing team (Action) to develop and implement a social media strategy (Task), resulting in a 30% growth in follower engagement (Result)."

  • "Analyzed financial data (Action) to identify cost-saving opportunities (Task), leading to annual savings of $50,000 (Result)."

  • "Designed and coded a user-friendly mobile app feature (Action) that improved user retention (Task), resulting in a 15% increase in app downloads (Result)."

     
• Bold text header for each entry is most compelling to recruiter
  Using bold text headers for each entry, whether it's a job title or name of an employer, makes it easier for recruiters to navigate and quickly identify the most important information. As you look at your work experiences, think about what would be more impressive to the recruiter... the job title or the name of your employer? If you have 3-4 work experiences for various entities at the University of Notre Dame (or another employer), consider bolding the job title instead of "University of Notre Dame" (as the employer).  What ever you decide, be consistent with whatever format you select.
    
• Consistent use of periods 
  Maintaining consistency in the use of periods at the end of sentences and bullet points throughout your resume is essential for a polished and professional appearance. This attention to detail ensures that your resume presents a cohesive and well-structured narrative.  Using a period at the end of a phrase or an incomplete sentence may be awkward to read. To avoid having to type complete sentences for bullets (and taking up valuable space on your resume), opt for bullets that are no longer than one phrase (i.e. not 2 independent clauses/setences) and do not use periods.  
    
• # of bullets is commensurate with job description 
  The number of bullet points you use for each job or experience entry should align with the significance and relevance of the position to the job you're applying for. Focus on highlighting the most impactful responsibilities and achievements, and avoid overwhelming the reader with excessive detail for less relevant roles.  More importantly, the work experience you completed which was most closeley aligned with the job responsibilities/qualifications outlined in the job description, should have the most bullets. This will draw the reader's attention to your most relevant content.
    
• Concise bullets, not overly wordy
  Keep your bullet points concise and to the point. Your bullets should not be narrative paragraphs. Try to keep it to one sentence (or statement) per bullet. If possible, keep the text to one line (and for sure, no more than two lines of text) -- remember, the goal is ease of readability by the recruiter. The goal is to convey essential information efficiently. Avoid lengthy descriptions that can deter recruiters from reading your resume thoroughly. Concise, well-structured bullet points capture the recruiter's attention and provide them with key insights into your qualifications.
    
• Context provided for leadership positions 
  When listing leadership roles, offer context to help recruiters understand the scope and impact of your leadership experience. Describe your responsibilities, the size of the team or organization you led, and any notable achievements or outcomes. Providing this context demonstrates the depth of your leadership experience and the value you brought to the role.
    
• Proficiencies with foreign languages are accurate 
  Ensure that your skills accurately reflect your abilities, and be prepared to demonstrate your language skills during the interview, as recruiters may want to verify your competence.  Don't be surprised if they start conversing with you in a language you indicate that you are fluent in speaking!
    
• A recruiter can easily see that you are a great candidate
  A well-written resume should leave no doubt in the recruiter's mind that you possess the qualifications and attributes they seek, and you should be considered for the position. Your resume should be a clear and compelling representation of your qualifications, skills, and achievements specifically and directly related to the job you are applying to. A recruiter should be able to read your resume (without looking at a cover letter) and say to themself,  "This person is applying to XYZ position at my organization." Your resume should directly relate to the qualifications listed in the job posting. Emphasize your unique value proposition and what sets you apart from other candidates. 
    
• Ask someone for a 7 second review
  

  Most recruiters will only look at your resume for about 7 seconds to see if you appear interesting or qualified.  To see if your resume is compelling, ask someone you trust to simulate the limited time a recruiter may spend initially scanning your resume. Ask your reviewer to spend just 7 seconds looking at your resume and provide immediate feedback on what stands out the most.  This exercise helps you gauge the initial impact and clarity of your resume. Encourage your reviewer to identify any elements that catch their attention positively or negatively. Their input can help you make crucial adjustments to improve your resume's first impression.  This can be a friend, roommate, professor, or family member.  Even better, ask someone who has hired college students before to give you feedback (hint: the CCD can help you with this!).

    
• Ask someone to look through your social media
  Recruiters often check candidates' online presence on social media sites to get insight about who they may be hiring. Before submitting your resume, have someone review your social media profiles to ensure they align with your professional image. Ask a trusted friend or advisor to look at your social media, and then ask them "What are a few words you would use to describe me?"  Ensure that your online presence complements the image you're presenting on your resume and in job applications. Look for any red flags or content that may be perceived negatively by potential employers and address them proactively. By having someone review your social media, you can ensure that your online presence enhances, rather than detracts, from your candidacy during the hiring process.
  
    
• Conduct a Google search of your name (and variations)
  Conducting a Google search of your name and variations is a proactive step in managing your online reputation during a job search. This search can help you identify any publicly available information about yourself that potential employers might come across during background checks. Ensure that the search results align with the professional image you want to portray. While there is not much you can do to remove content from Google search results, you can at least know about them and be prepared to discuss them during an interview.  By regularly conducting these searches, you can become more aware of your online presence and ensure that it presents you in the best possible light to potential employers.
    
• Use a AI tool to suggest edits
  Not sure how AI can help? We asked ChatGPT for some ideas, and here are a few suggestions the resource came up with. In case you could not tell, some of the content generation for the tips outlined above were supported, in part, by ChatGPT, (a natural language processing AI model developed by OpenAI). While the CCD does not endorse particular AI platforms (including ChatGPT), the ideas below can give you some ideas for how to leverage AI technology to refine (not write!) your resume.

  • Content Suggestions: ChatGPT can provide suggestions for enhancing the content of your resume, such as recommending key skills to highlight or suggesting additional details for specific job roles.

  • Rephrasing and Clarity: ChatGPT can help rephrase sentences or bullet points to improve clarity and readability, ensuring that your achievements and experiences are presented effectively.

  • Keyword Optimization: ChatGPT can identify relevant keywords from job descriptions and help incorporate them into your resume to increase its chances of passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

  • Tailoring for Specific Roles: You can describe a job posting to ChatGPT, and it can assist in tailoring your resume for that specific role by suggesting changes in language and content to match the job requirements.

  • Grammar and Spelling Check: ChatGPT can proofread your resume for grammar and spelling errors, ensuring that it maintains a professional and polished appearance.

  • Content Length Optimization: ChatGPT can help you evaluate the length of your resume and suggest adjustments to ensure it's concise while still effectively showcasing your qualifications.

  • Quantifying Achievements: ChatGPT can help you quantify your achievements by suggesting specific metrics, percentages, or numbers to highlight the impact of your contributions in various roles.

  • Skills Section Optimization: ChatGPT can provide recommendations for structuring and optimizing your skills section, ensuring that it effectively showcases your core competencies.

  • Industry-Specific Terminology: If you're applying for a job in a specialized industry, ChatGPT can help you incorporate industry-specific terminology and jargon appropriately to demonstrate your familiarity with the field.

Have questions?

We hope you have found this resource helpful.   If you have any questions or if you need specialized resume help for a particular industry or role, please don't hesitate to contact us. Students are welcome to email us at careerdevelopment@nd.edu.