A job‑searching professional knows that writing a strong resume isn’t just about listing jobs and education—it’s about presenting a coherent, targeted narrative of your value, backed by evidence and formatted for easy reading. This resume checklist takes you through every critical item—from layout and contact details to accomplishments and proofing—so your next application is submission‑ready and effective.
Why a checklist matters
Hiring teams often live by the scanning rule: they glance at a resume for maybe six seconds before deciding whether to dig deeper. With so little time, clarity and relevance matter. A thorough checklist helps you catch gaps, fix inconsistencies and ensure your document reflects your strongest work.
1. Layout and format fundamentals
- Ensure your margins are consistent (typically between 0.5″ and 1.0″) and your font is readable (10‑12 pt in Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman).
- One page is ideal for most professionals; use two pages only if your experience is extensive (10+ years) or you operate in a field that expects it.
- Use bolding and italics judiciously for headings or role titles, and avoid underlining for design clarity.
- Maintain consistent punctuation, dates and layout across sections so nothing appears accidental or sloppy.
2. Clear contact information
- Your full legal name should stand out, typically at the top in a larger font.
- Include a reliable phone number and professional voicemail message.
- Add an email address that reads like your name (e.g., [email protected]), not a nickname or slang.
- A city and state suffice; full mailing address is optional unless required for the role.
3. Professional summary or objective (if relevant)
- If you have several years of experience, a 3‑5 sentence summary at the top can clarify your value‑proposition (“Results‑oriented marketing manager with 8 yrs driving +30% growth…”).
- For those earlier in their careers, an objective may suffice to define your direction—though many modern resumes omit one unless it adds unique context.
- Avoid fluff: focus on what you offer and what you seek to contribute, not just what you want.
4. Professional experience done well
- Organize roles in reverse chronological order, with your most recent role first.
- For each role include: job title, employer name, city/state, dates of employment.
- Use bullet points—not paragraphs—to describe your impact. Begin each bullet with a strong action verb (“Led,” “Implemented,” “Reduced,” etc.).
- Where possible, quantify your accomplishments (“Increased sales by 25%,” “Managed team of 8”).
- Avoid beginning bullets with “Responsible for…” or using first‑person pronouns (“I,” “me”).
- Tailor content to the role you’re applying for: highlight the experiences most relevant to the job’s requirements.
5. Skills section with clarity
- Include a concise list of hard and soft skills relevant to the role. Hard skills (e.g., “Python, SQL, Tableau”), soft skills (e.g., “problem‑solving, stakeholder management”).
- Use the job description as a guide: mirror terminology when appropriate, because many employers use applicant‑tracking systems (ATS) that scan for keywords.
- Avoid listing generic or vague skills (“team player,” “detail‑oriented”) without context.
6. Education, certifications and continuous learning
- List your highest degree first, following with institution name, major, city/state, and graduation date or expected graduation.
- If you’re in an early‑career stage, you may include relevant coursework. If it’s been many years since graduation, you may opt to omit the graduation date.
- Add any certifications or training relevant to the role—especially if they align with the job description.
7. Optional sections (use strategically)
Consider adding:
- Honors, awards or leadership roles
- Relevant volunteer work or extracurriculars if they demonstrate transferable skills
- Publications, projects or presentations (if they showcase your expertise)
- Foreign languages, professional organizations, software proficiencies The key is relevance: only include optional sections if they strengthen your case.
8. Proofreading and final polish
- Spell‑check your document—but also read it manually to catch errors that automated tools may miss.
- Ensure consistent styling (e.g., dates formatted “Jan 2022 – Mar 2024” throughout).
- Print your resume (or view it in PDF and print preview) to check readability including white space, font size, page breaks.
- Ask a colleague, mentor or career‑advisor to review your resume and offer feedback.
9. Tailoring for each application
- Whenever you apply for a specific job, adjust your summary and experience bullets to reflect the position’s priorities. For example: if the job emphasizes “project management,” ensure your experience demonstrates that explicitly.
- Remove or de‑emphasize experiences less relevant to that role, so that the most salient information stands out quickly.
10. Submission‑ready checklist
Before hitting “send”:
- Saved resume as PDF (unless another format requested) to preserve formatting.
- File name is clear and professional, e.g., “FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf”.
- The file opens properly and displays correctly on different devices (desktop, mobile).
- Your contact info at the top is accurate and up to date.
- Your document is targeted to the employer’s needs—and does not feel generic.
- You’ve double‑checked for typos, broken links (if any), and formatting consistency.
Conclusion
A resume that reflects your experience clearly, quantifies your impact, and aligns to the job’s demands makes a stronger impression and increases your chances of landing an interview. As you prepare to submit your next application, walk through this checklist one final time—and consider pairing your resume with a well‑crafted cover letter. In fact, if you’re looking for help drafting that cover letter, visit https://letterlab.io to generate a tailored draft quickly. Your next opportunity deserves your best presentation.