Your resume should sound professional. Refrain from using slang. As far as technical jargon is concerned, the HR manager or employer who does an initial review of a resume might not be aware of what you are talking about. A recruiter would also not want to spend time researching about the words you that used. For this reason, avoid using tech jargon in your resume.
There are a lot of sample resumes available online. If you are using a sample resume, ensure that you customize and personalize it.
Your resume, by default, talks about you, your qualifications and your achievements. Therefore, pronouns like "I" or "Me" are redundant and should not be used in your resume.
Your name should be at the very top of your resume. It should be in a large font and preferably boldfaced. Ensure that your contact details, especially your email address and phone number are correct and clearly listed.
It is vital that your resume is well formatted and visually appealing. Large blocks of misaligned text with varied font sizes can ruin your resume. Ensure that your resume is organized into relevant sections and that each section title stand out. Use some colors (set the limit at two) to add more emphasis but don't go overboard with the design. Refrain from using unreadable fonts and fancy background images.
Crafting a solid resume can be a tedious and time-taking process. Take your time in coming up with a resume. Prepare rough drafts and ask your friends/colleagues for suggestions. While checking your drafts, focus on the content as well as the formatting. There are lots of books, websites and tools that provide sample resumes. Use those sample resumes as a starting point for crafting your own resume
Before sending out your resume, make sure to thoroughly check the content. Pay special attention to the dates, the numbers and contact details.
Before sending in your resume, do a bit of research about the position you are applying for. This will help you assess whether you are qualified for the position or not.
Gather as much information as you can about the company that you want to work for. Read about the employer's (company's) mission, vision statements, goals and approach. Also try to assess the working environment of the company.
If you are sending out a hard copy of your resume, make sure that you use a good quality printer and good quality paper.
Refrain from using more than two colors in your resume. Black text on white paper looks best and gives your resume a professional look.
If you have had the experience of working with top executives in your industry, mentioning their names in your resume might help you gain some credibility. Apart from mentioning them in your resume, you can also ask them for a reference.
Your educational qualifications is a vital part of your resume. However, simply stating the kind of degree that you have achieved is not sufficient. It is recommended that you supplement it with the important courses that you took and how those courses would help you with the job you are applying to.