Résumé Checklist
Use this checklist to evaluate your résumé before submitting it to employers. Remember: your résumé typically receives a 6- to 30-second initial review, so it must make an immediate positive impression.
Format & Structure
Basic Requirements
[ ] Length is appropriate (1 page for early career, 2 pages for experienced professionals)
[ ] Tone is professional and appropriate for the target industry
[ ] Format meets current standards (not outdated)
[ ] Completely free of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization errors
[ ] Information is easy to locate quickly
Visual Appeal
First Impression
[ ] Does not look like an obvious template
[ ] Visually appealing with sufficient white space
[ ] Will stand out among other resumes
[ ] Uses readable sans serif fonts (10-12 pt for body text)
[ ] Design elements (lines, bullets, bolding, color) enhance readability without overwhelming
Content Quality
Marketing Power
[ ] Functions as a marketing document, not just a work history
[ ] Tells a compelling story about your experience
[ ] The top one-third of page one immediately communicates your value
[ ] Makes clear what position you're targeting (without an "Objective" statement)
Value Proposition
Does your resume show how you can:
[ ] Make money for the employer
[ ] Save money or time
[ ] Make work easier or solve problems
[ ] Increase competitiveness
[ ] Build relationships or expand business
[ ] Attract or retain customers
Writing Quality
[ ] Does NOT sound like AI-generated, bland content
[ ] Uses powerful, concise, accomplishment-oriented language
[ ] Contains industry-specific keywords relevant to the target job
[ ] Includes persuasive, high-impact statements
[ ] Provides appropriate detail to support the desired position and salary
[ ] Highlights specific, quantifiable accomplishments with metrics (percentages, dollar amounts, numbers)
Accomplishment Formula
For each major accomplishment, have you included:
[ ] The problem or challenge faced
[ ] The action you took
[ ] The measurable result achieved
Career Alignment
[ ] All accomplishments support your career goals
[ ] Entire resume is targeted to the job goal
Relevance
What to Include
[ ] Content that covers the last 7-10 years of relevant experience
[ ] All information directly supports your job target
[ ] Uses language and terminology from the target industry
What to Exclude
[ ] No personal photos
[ ] No unrelated hobbies or personal data
[ ] No reasons for leaving previous jobs
[ ] No negative information
[ ] No irrelevant work experience
Final Questions
Before submitting, ask yourself:
Would this resume make me want to call this candidate for an interview?
Does my value proposition come through in the first 6 to 30 seconds of reading?
Have I told a story of impact and results, not just job duties?
Is every word earning its place on the page?
Résumé Feedback that Works:
Person #1: Someone who knows YOU and your work
This is your spouse, close friend, or former colleague (NOT your current coworker, unless you want the entire office knowing you're job hunting).
Ask someone you trust only these exact three questions:
Do you see anything I need to change or correct?
Does this sound like me?
Is there anything I should add?
That's it. You're looking for authenticity checks and typos, not career strategy.
Person #2: Someone who CURRENTLY hires in your field
Maybe a past supervisor. Maybe a hiring manager you're connected with. The key? The word CURRENTLY. Hiring practices have changed since your favorite uncle retired 15 years ago.
Career advice from someone who last reviewed resumes in 2010 is like a Blockbuster gift card. Technically, it once worked, but it's not useful anymore.
Ask them, "What stands out to you, positive or negative?"
The trap:
Collecting too many opinions leads to "analysis paralysis." You'll spend three months perfecting a document instead of three weeks getting interviews.
Here's your reality check: The job of your résumé is to generate interviews.
Getting interviews? Your résumé is working.
Not getting interviews? Then we troubleshoot.
But sitting on your résumé because your barista said it lacks pizzazz? That's not the right move.
Ready for Expert Eyes?
You've done the hard work of self-assessment. Now get a professional perspective that's both honest and constructive. A skilled resume writer can spot the gaps you can't see and help you tell your story in a way that gets interviews.
Book a discovery call to get a candid critique of your résumé, and find out exactly what's working (and what's not).