Résumé

Résumé Evaluation Questions

Content

• What seems to be this applicant’s interests? Are they obvious by the résumé?
• What are the applicant’s specific qualifications? Are they obvious? Are the most impressive listed first?
• What are the applicant’s weaknesses? Are these de-emphasized?
• How many headings does the applicant use? Are all needed or could s/he consolidate?
• Is the main heading clear? Is there any information missing? Is there too much information?
• What type of résumé (chronological, functional, or combination) is the applicant using? Is it the best choice for his/her qulaifications and experience? Would another be a better choice?
• Is the résumé targeting a specific job? Does the objective make that clear? Is the objective needed, or would an objective work better in a cover letter (which is generally the case)?
• Is work experience germane to the position? Does it include:

1. Employer’s name, city, state;
2. Dates of employment;
3. Most important job title;
4. Significant duties, activities, accomplishments, promotions?

• Are employment achievements and descriptions specific and succinct?
• Is evidence of teamwork apparent?
• Are special skills and exceptional aptitudes listed or emphasized? Do they need their own section?
• Does résumé use action verbs applicable to the specific job?
• Are all contents logically and consistantly organized?
• Are awards, honors, and activities included? Are all self-explanatory or explained?
• Anything included that could be questionable? Anything that is out-of-place?
• Is there any information that is unclear? Is it explained in the cover letter?

Design

• Is good quality paper used? Does it match the cover letter’s?
• Does main heading stand out from the rest?
• Are fonts varied and used consistantly — bold for headers, italics for emphasis, etc.?
• Is CRAP considered in the design?
• Is white space used effectively?
• Does the design pass the “blurred-eye” test?

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Professional Communication