14 “How-To” Resume Guides for Every Jobseeker

Last Updated: September 16, 2024

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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:

BUILD MY RESUME

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:
BUILD MY RESUME

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:

BUILD MY RESUME

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.

BUILD MY RESUME

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:

BUILD MY RESUME

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:

BUILD MY RESUME

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:

BUILD MY RESUME

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:

BUILD MY RESUME

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:

BUILD MY RESUME

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:

BUILD MY RESUME

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:

BUILD MY RESUME

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:

BUILD MY RESUME

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 Apology Letter


It’s hard to say you’re sorry and sometimes even harder to find the right words. Our guide to how to write an apology letter can help:

BUILD MY RESUME

DO’s
  • Use the right greeting
  • Explain why you’re writing the letter
  • Start by addressing your mistake
  • Display remorse and take full responsibility
  • Acknowledge the negative effect of your actions
  • Propose a potential solution
  • Describe your future intentions
  • Express your gratitude
  • Remain sincere and respectful
DONT’s
  • Write a generic salutation.
  • Be bashful – explain why you are writing
  • Play the blame game
  • Minimize the impact of your mistake
  • Forget to mention your plans to make amends
  • Miss out on the chance to make peace
  • Write in an overly familiar tone
  • End your letter on a negative note

Letter Guide: How to Write a Resignation Letter


Saying goodbye isn’t easy but our guide to how to write a resignation letter can make it less painful! We’ve prepared these dos and don’ts to help:

BUILD MY RESUME

DO’s
  • Be direct- go straight to the point
  • Describe your gratitude
  • Suggest potential candidates for your role
  • Afterwards, be discreet
  • Give an adequate time of notice
  • Provide your personal contact information
  • End on a positive note
DONT’s
  • Leave the reader hanging
  • Forget to be thankful say thank you for the opportunity
  • Be disrespectful
  • Leave without giving notice
  • Be negative
  • Forget to end your letter positively
  • Be afraid to ask for references

Additional Resources


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