The Complete Resume Building Checklist: Ensure Nothing is Missing

Why Use a Checklist

A comprehensive checklist ensures you don't miss any critical elements when building your resume. Even small oversights can cost you opportunities. Use this checklist to verify your resume is complete, professional, and ready for submission.

Contact Information Checklist

✓ Full name (first and last)
✓ Professional email address
✓ Phone number
✓ City and state (optional: full address)
✓ LinkedIn profile URL (if applicable)
✓ Portfolio or website (if relevant)

Content Checklist

✓ Professional summary or objective
✓ Work experience (all relevant positions)
✓ Education (degrees, institutions, dates)
✓ Skills section (hard and soft skills)
✓ Certifications (if applicable)
✓ Projects or portfolio (if relevant)
✓ Languages (if applicable)

Formatting Checklist

✓ Consistent font throughout
✓ Consistent spacing and margins
✓ Proper alignment
✓ Clear section headings
✓ Professional bullet points
✓ Appropriate resume length
✓ Clean, readable layout

Quality Checklist

✓ No spelling errors
✓ No grammar mistakes
✓ Proper punctuation
✓ Consistent date formats
✓ Action verbs in bullet points
✓ Quantifiable achievements
✓ Relevant content only

ATS Optimization Checklist

✓ Standard section headings
✓ Relevant keywords included
✓ Simple, clean formatting
✓ No complex graphics or tables
✓ Proper file format (PDF recommended)
✓ Professional file name

Final Review Checklist

✓ Read resume aloud for flow
✓ Have someone else review it
✓ Check all links work
✓ Verify all dates are accurate
✓ Ensure contact information is current
✓ Test print formatting
✓ Review for industry appropriateness

Conclusion

Using this comprehensive checklist ensures your resume is complete, professional, and ready for submission. Go through each section carefully before sending your resume to employers. A thorough review can catch errors and improve your chances of landing interviews.