Your resume is your first chance to make a great impression—but since employers can receive hundreds of resumes, it can be a challenge to stand out.  Here are some tips to help you avoid the Human Resources black hole.

• Limit your resume to 1-2 pages, since employers will often scan resumes quickly.  A succinct resume always makes an HR manager happy.
• Provide context for your skills and qualifications in your description of your employment history. For example, if you think you have superb multitasking and organizational skills, use your employment history to demonstrate your claims.
• Be honest and avoid exaggeration. If you are hired based on the information in your resume, you will be required to demonstrate those skills on the job.
• Try to stand out by highlighting qualities that are unique to you and your experience, or by listing some of your hobbies and interests.
• Be meticulous about grammar, writing style and punctuation. Ask somebody with strong writing skills to review your resume before sending it out.
• Be ready to explain the contents of your resume and provide additional details in an interview. Think about the questions that could arise based on the information you provide.

Other posts in this blog series:

• Get a Job or Have a Career?
• Preparing a Professional Accounting Cover Letter
• How to Ace the Interview

Loren Nancke is a tax and accounting firm with deep roots—over 30 years in Western Canada—and an innovative approach to serving individuals and small businesses in BC and Alberta. If you're interested in a career with our CPA firm, we invite you to explore our current career opportunities.