When looking for a job or internship, applicants should not take a “one size fits all” approach. The San Jacinto College career services offices have some tips for anyone who is looking to create or update their resume.

Format your resume for the position/industry you’re applying for

Read the job posting and look at the qualifications and experience the employer is looking for. Based on those qualifications, format your resume so that your experience reflects those qualifications. Use industry buzzwords to help your skills and experience stand out which help to show that you’re knowledgeable about the industry.

List current contact information

Always make that your contact information is up to date. Should a recruiter or employer need to contact you to setup an interview, it’s important that they have the best and most current contact information to reach you. Contrary to previous resume formats, applicants no longer need to include their physical address but only need to list their email address and phone number.

Keep things concise

Be sure to include a summary statement that clearly tells the employer a brief synopsis of your professional qualifications. Use short phrases and action verbs, and avoid long paragraphs. List any applicable certifications or licenses that apply to the position noting when they expire. Do not include personal information such as hobbies, your Social Security number, photos, etc. There is also no need to include references or state “References provided upon request,” since employers will ask for them if they are interested in you as a potential hire.

Review, edit and save

Once you complete your resume, review it a second and third time for grammatical, punctuation and spelling errors. Choose fonts that are easy to read such as Calibri, Helvetica or Times New Roman within a standard resume template. Once your final edits have been made, save the file as a PDF so that it is easy to upload to most online application sites.