FAQs

• It serves as your first impression to potential employers.
• It’s your personal marketing document.
• Helps you showcase your skills, achievements and qualifications.
• Acts as a screening tool for recruiters to shortlist candidates.
• It can boost your confidence and clarify your professional direction.

• Ideally 1–2 pages for most professionals.
• Recent graduates or early – career professionals should stick to 1 page.
• Senior executives or technical specialists may need 2 pages.
• Focus on quality of content, not quantity.
• Avoid long paragraphs; make it scannable.

• Full legal name.
• Active mobile number.
• Professional email address (avoid nicknames).
• City and state (full address optional but preferred).
• LinkedIn profile URL (optional but recommended).

• In the US and Canada, no, it may lead to unconscious bias.
• In Europe or Asia, it’s more common (check region-specific norms).
• Photos are unnecessary unless applying for acting/modelling roles.
• A professional headshot on LinkedIn is usually enough.
• Always prioritize content over visuals.

• Highlight measurable achievements (use numbers).
• Customize it for the job description.
• Use strong action verbs like “led,” “increased,” or “developed.”
• Include a summary that sells your value proposition.
• Keep it neat, consistent and well-formatted.

• Employment gaps with no explanation.
• Vague job descriptions copied from the internet.
• Typos, grammatical errors or inconsistent formatting.
• Job titles or dates that don’t align with LinkedIn.
• Fake degrees or misleading experience.

• At least twice a year, even if you’re not job hunting.
• After every new project, certification or promotion.
• When switching roles, industries or specializations.
• Whenever you finish major accomplishments.
• During slow work periods, a perfect time to reflect and update.

• No need to include “References Available Upon Request.”
• Only provide references when asked during the process.
• Save space for stronger content.
• Create a separate document with reference details.
• Make sure references are informed and updated.

• No need to include “References Available Upon Request.”
• Only provide references when asked during the process.
• Save space for stronger content.
• Create a separate document with reference details.
• Make sure references are informed and updated.

• Only list relevant positions from the last 10–15 years.
• Group similar short-term contracts or freelance gigs.
• Summarize older roles in a brief “Earlier Career” section.
• Focus on experience that supports your career goals.
• Quality > quantity, don’t crowd your resume.

• Reverse chronological is most widely accepted.
• Functional resumes focus on skills (less common).
• Combination/hybrid formats work well for career changers.
• Always keep it ATS-friendly (no graphics or tables).
• Save and send in PDF format to maintain formatting.

• Be honest and address gaps briefly.
• Use a “Career Break” section if needed.
• Focus on skills gained during the break (freelance, courses).
• Avoid leaving unexplained blank time on your resume.
• Use the cover letter to explain in more detail, if needed.

• Mirror keywords from the job description.
• Include tools, software and industry terms.
• Mention certifications, methodologies and job-specific terms.
• Don’t stuff, use them naturally in your content.
• Use both acronyms and full terms (e.g., SEO and Search Engine Optimization).

• Yes, but customize it to reflect your personal brand.
• Avoid overly designed templates (can confuse ATS).
• Prioritize clarity, readability and logical flow.
• Use templates as a guide, not a crutch.
• Ensure your template is consistent in fonts, colors and spacing.

• Only if they are relevant or show transferable skills.
• Include if you have space and want to personalize your resume.
• Great for entry-level candidates with limited work experience.
• Avoid controversial or overly personal interests.
• Keep it brief. 1–2 lines max.

• Yes, it’s highly recommended.
• Change keywords, skills and summary to match the role.
• Highlight the most relevant experience for each job.
• Create multiple versions if you target different industries.
• Saves time in the long run and increases interview calls.

• Use a strong summary to explain your career shift.
• Highlight transferable skills from previous roles.
• Emphasize training, certifications and side projects.
• Use a hybrid resume format.
• Focus on relevance over job title.

• Mention “Remote” in your location (e.g., Remote – New York).
• Highlight tools you used (Zoom, Slack, Trello, etc.).
• Emphasize independent work and self-discipline.
• Mention timezone flexibility or global collaboration.
• Quantify remote achievements where possible.

• Lying or exaggerating your experience.
• Overstuffing with irrelevant jobs or buzzwords.
• Ignoring formatting and presentation.
• Sending resumes with typos.
• Not tailoring it to the job at hand.