What are three don'ts to resume writing?

Asked by: Miss Emelie Effertz III  |  Last update: April 28, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (59 votes)

Based on common resume writing guidelines, here are three key "don'ts":

What not to do on a resume?

You should not put personal details (age, marital status, photo, religion), irrelevant hobbies, salary history, negative comments about past employers, or lies on a resume, focusing instead on quantifiable achievements, professional skills, and tailoring it to the job, while avoiding errors like typos and overly long paragraphs. Leave out generic phrases like "references available upon request" and an unprofessional email address.
 

What are some common mistakes to avoid in resume writing?

Avoid common resume mistakes like typos, generic descriptions (use action verbs!), poor formatting (especially two-column for ATS), failing to tailor the resume to the job, and listing duties instead of quantifiable achievements, as these signal a lack of attention to detail and impact, getting you overlooked by recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Focus on clear, single-column layouts, relevant keywords, and concrete results (e.g., "Increased sales by 15%") to highlight your value.
 

What are the dos and don'ts of a resume?

Do's & Don'ts of Resume Writing

  • Determine your job search objective prior to writing the resume and tailor your resume for the position.
  • Customize your resume to match a specific job description. ...
  • Focus on positive results and accomplishments.
  • Keep a consistent, easily-readable format.

What are the rules of resume writing?

Resume Writing Do's

  • Keep your resume clear and concise. ...
  • Proofread your resume numerous times. ...
  • Limit your resume to two pages. ...
  • Tailor your resume to suit the position you are applying for. ...
  • Highlight what you have accomplished. ...
  • Be honest. ...
  • Quantify your achievements. ...
  • Use simple words and action verbs.

What are the do's and don'ts of resume writing?

28 related questions found

What are the 3 C's of a resume?

The 3 C's of a resume typically refer to Clear, Concise, and Consistent formatting and content, ensuring your skills and experience are easy to read, brief, and follow a uniform style, while other interpretations focus on Competence, Character, and Chemistry for hiring, or Clarity, Connections, and Confidence for job search strategy. The most common resume advice emphasizes making it easy for recruiters to quickly grasp your qualifications through clear, brief, and consistent presentation. 

What are the 5 golden rules of resume writing?

The core principles of resume writing involve being Clear, Concise, Consistent, Customized (Tailored), and focusing on Accomplishments, using strong action verbs, incorporating keywords, and ensuring perfect proofreading to present a professional, readable, and honest summary of your qualifications that matches the employer's needs. 

What are the 5 P's of a resume?

The "5 Ps of a Resume" aren't a single, universally agreed-upon list but often refer to key principles for standing out, such as Positioning, Personal Branding, Presentation, Persistence, and Proofreading/Precision, focusing on clearly showing who you are, what problems you solve, and how you're a valuable asset, all while ensuring your application is flawless and targeted. It's about being strategic and making an immediate, positive impact with your application materials. 

Which of the following should not be on a resume?

Personal details. There's no need to include personal information on a resume such as your social security number, marital status, nationality, sexual orientation, or spiritual beliefs.

What are the 7 basic steps to writing a resume?

How to write a perfect resume

  • Choose a format. The first step in writing the perfect resume is choosing the best format for you. ...
  • Start with your contact information. ...
  • Include a professional summary. ...
  • Summarize your work experience. ...
  • Highlight your skills. ...
  • Add your education. ...
  • Include your certifications. ...
  • Showcase your personality.

What are the three F's in a resume?

Having less than ten seconds to prove qualifications for a position enforces the idea that the focus point of drafting a resume, should be to stick to the Three Fs of Resume Writing: Function, Form, and e(F)fectiveness.

What are red flags on resumes?

Resume red flags are warning signs that can get you rejected, including typos/grammar errors, unexplained employment gaps, job hopping, a lack of quantifiable achievements, poor formatting, not tailoring the resume to the job, and including irrelevant personal details or outdated skills, all signaling a lack of attention to detail, professionalism, or relevance for the role.
 

What are the five most common mistakes people make in preparing and submitting a resume?

Top 5 Resume Mistakes

  • Grammar and punctuation errors. Think about the underlying message communicated with typos, and with errors in grammar and punctuation. ...
  • Poor formatting. Can't fit your resume to one page? ...
  • Failure to communicate knowledge and skills. ...
  • Job descriptions that aren't descriptive. ...
  • Using pronouns and articles.

What looks unprofessional on a resume?

An unprofessional resume is marked by errors, irrelevant information, poor formatting, and a lack of focus on achievements, featuring things like typos, an unprofessional email, vague descriptions, too much personal data, or a cluttered design, signaling a lack of attention to detail and professionalism to recruiters. 

What is the 7 second rule in resume?

The "7-second resume rule" means recruiters spend only about 7 seconds on their initial scan of a resume to decide if a candidate is a potential match, making it crucial to have a clear, concise, and keyword-optimized document that highlights key achievements and skills to capture attention quickly, often with the help of an ATS (Applicant Tracking System). To succeed, focus on strong formatting, quantifying accomplishments with numbers, using action verbs, and tailoring the content to the specific job description to pass both automated filters and human review. 

What are common resume mistakes to avoid?

Avoid common resume mistakes like typos, generic descriptions (use action verbs!), poor formatting (especially two-column for ATS), failing to tailor the resume to the job, and listing duties instead of quantifiable achievements, as these signal a lack of attention to detail and impact, getting you overlooked by recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Focus on clear, single-column layouts, relevant keywords, and concrete results (e.g., "Increased sales by 15%") to highlight your value.
 

What are some resume don'ts?

Don't

  • Use a resume template or wizard. ...
  • Include an Objective unless specifically requested to do so by an employer; if you include an Objective, make it brief and specific to a particular job/field/role.
  • List all the colleges/universities you've attended; list only institutions you have or will receive a degree from.

What do employers not want to see on a resume?

  • Unprofessional email.
  • Full mailing address.
  • Multiple phone numbers.
  • Outdated or irrelevant social media profiles.
  • Resume objective statement.
  • Personal details.
  • Headshot.
  • Buzzwords.

What words should I avoid on a resume?

Avoid generic buzzwords like "results-driven," "team player," "passionate," "strategic," and "detail-oriented," as well as weak phrases like "responsible for" or "duties included," because they lack specific impact; instead, use strong action verbs and quantifiable results to show your skills rather than just telling the employer you have them. Replace clichés like "think outside the box" or "go-getter" with concrete examples of your accomplishments to make your resume stand out.
 

What are the three C's of resume writing?

As you write and review your resume, remember the Three C's Rule — Clear, Consistent, Concise. You are likely forwarding this to someone who knows little about you. Your resume should answer questions, be aesthetically pleasing, follow the same format throughout, and succinct.

What are 5 good skills to put on a resume?

Some of the top skills to put on a resume depending on your field are:

  • Adaptability.
  • Communication.
  • Computer skills.
  • Critical thinking.
  • Customer service.
  • Data analysis.
  • Leadership.
  • Problem-solving.

How to make your resume stand out?

RESUME TIPS

  1. Specific rather than general.
  2. Active rather than passive.
  3. Written to express not impress.
  4. Articulate rather than “flowery”
  5. Fact-based (quantify and qualify)
  6. Written for people who / systems that scan quickly.

What is the most accepted resume format?

The chronological resume format is generally the most readable and preferred by hiring managers.

What are the three most important things on a resume?

We consulted our AllSearch Team of 30+ experts about what should always be on your resume. The obvious ones being, your name and contact information, a short but concise list of relevant tools and skills you have, and your education or professional experience you have had in the past.

Should I include a photo on my resume?

Standard practice is to leave your photo off your resume. Some recruiters see it as unprofessional, especially if the job is in the corporate or governmental field. Generally, a picture can also distract potential employers from identifying your skills and attributes.