{"id":388,"date":"2026-06-13T05:38:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T05:38:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-dos-and-donts\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T00:54:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T00:54:27","slug":"resume-dos-and-donts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-dos-and-donts\/","title":{"rendered":"Resume Dos and Don&#8217;ts: A Quick Reference Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Resume Dos And Don\u2019Ts is a key focus of this guide. Resume dos and donts is the focus of this expert guide. Quick reference for the most important resume rules.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/resume-writing.jpg\" alt=\"Person writing and reviewing a resume on paper\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto;\"\/><\/figure>\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-dos-and-donts\/#Do_Use_specific_numbers_and_outcomes\" >Do: Use specific numbers and outcomes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-dos-and-donts\/#Do_not_Use_personal_pronouns\" >Do not: Use personal pronouns<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-dos-and-donts\/#Do_Customize_for_each_application\" >Do: Customize for each application<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-dos-and-donts\/#Do_not_Include_references_available_upon_request\" >Do not: Include references available upon request<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-dos-and-donts\/#Read_next\" >Read next<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-dos-and-donts\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-dos-and-donts\/#How_long_does_a_recruiter_spend_looking_at_a_resume\" >How long does a recruiter spend looking at a resume?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-dos-and-donts\/#What_do_recruiters_look_for_first_on_a_resume\" >What do recruiters look for first on a resume?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-dos-and-donts\/#Should_I_include_a_summary_at_the_top_of_my_resume\" >Should I include a summary at the top of my resume?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-dos-and-donts\/#How_many_bullet_points_should_each_job_have\" >How many bullet points should each job have?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-dos-and-donts\/#Get_your_free_resume_review\" >Get your free resume review<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Use_specific_numbers_and_outcomes\"><\/span>Do: Use specific numbers and outcomes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every bullet should either have a specific metric or clearly lead toward one. Specificity separates memorable resumes from forgettable ones.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_not_Use_personal_pronouns\"><\/span>Do not: Use personal pronouns<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not use &#8220;I,&#8221; &#8220;me,&#8221; or &#8220;my&#8221; in your resume bullets. Start bullets with active verbs. &#8220;Managed a team of eight&#8221; not &#8220;I managed a team of eight.&#8221;<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Customize_for_each_application\"><\/span>Do: Customize for each application<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A tailored resume is consistently more effective than a generic one. Spend ten minutes customizing each application. It is worth it. For more on this, see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/sales-resume-guide-2\/\">sales resume guide<\/a>.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_not_Include_references_available_upon_request\"><\/span>Do not: Include references available upon request<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This line adds nothing. It is understood that you will provide references if asked. Remove it and use the space for something useful.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Read_next\"><\/span>Read next<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list atr-read-next\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/quantify-achievements-resume\/\">How to Quantify Achievements on Your Resume<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/resume-with-no-experience\/\">How to Write a Resume With No Experience<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/career-change-resume\/\">Career Change Resume: How to Pivot to a New Field<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_does_a_recruiter_spend_looking_at_a_resume\"><\/span>How long does a recruiter spend looking at a resume?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recruiters typically spend 6-10 seconds on an initial scan. They look for job title relevance, company names, and whether the most recent role is at the right level for the position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_recruiters_look_for_first_on_a_resume\"><\/span>What do recruiters look for first on a resume?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most recruiters look first at your most recent job title and company, then check dates for gaps or progression, then assess whether the experience level matches what they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_include_a_summary_at_the_top_of_my_resume\"><\/span>Should I include a summary at the top of my resume?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, for experienced candidates. A 2-3 sentence summary that speaks directly to your target role helps recruiters understand your value instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_bullet_points_should_each_job_have\"><\/span>How many bullet points should each job have?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3-5 bullets for recent roles, 1-2 for older ones. Each bullet should describe an accomplishment or outcome, not just a task or responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recruiters spend an average of six to ten seconds on their first pass through a resume. That initial scan focuses almost entirely on job titles, company names, and bullet points. If those three things do not immediately connect your experience to the role, your resume may not make it to a second read. Understanding this reality changes how you approach every element of your document, from the font size to the order of your sections.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In my experience reviewing thousands of resumes, the candidates who get callbacks consistently share one trait: they write about impact rather than activity. Instead of listing what they were responsible for, they describe what changed because of their work. A simple shift from &#8220;managed social media&#8221; to &#8220;grew Instagram engagement by 47% in six months by shifting to video-first content&#8221; tells a recruiter exactly what you bring to a new role. For more on this, see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/nurse-resume-guide\/\">nurse resume guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formatting also plays a larger role than most candidates realize. Applicant tracking systems parse resumes before a human ever sees them. Tables, text boxes, headers, and footers often fail to parse correctly, which means critical information disappears from your digital file. Keeping your format simple, with standard sections and clean column layouts, ensures that your content survives the screening process intact.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The length question comes up constantly. For most professionals with under ten years of experience, one page is the right target. For senior leaders and executives, two pages is acceptable when every line adds genuine value. The test is not word count. It is density. If a recruiter could cut any section without losing information that differentiates you, that section should go. For more on this, see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/ai-resume-builder-vs-human-review\/\">how ai resume builders compare to human resume review<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_your_free_resume_review\"><\/span>Get your free resume review<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At AskTheRecruiter.com, a real recruiter reviews your resume and gives you honest, specific feedback. No AI, no templates, just a straight read from someone who knows what hiring managers want to see.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"\/get-your-resume-reviewed\/\">Get My Free Resume Review<\/a><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"atr-schema-jsonld\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How long does a recruiter spend looking at a resume?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Recruiters typically spend 6-10 seconds on an initial scan. 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