Don't

Do

1. Limit your resume to a job history.

View resumes as an opportunity to market yourself. No one is interested in generalizations. Include measurable, bottom-line results. How many dollars did you save or make for the company? How did you increase a team's efficiency by expert coaching and motivation?

2. Include too many buzzwords.

Focus on what you achieved in plain, clearly stated language. Overuse of "insider's" jargon does not make you appear more expert in your field. Unless you're positive that your resume will be read by people who understand the terms, avoid or minimize their use.

3. Minimize the importance of traditional duties.

Show how you served as a strategic advisor, but don't forget other important roles that are lower profile. Tout your strong record in upholding more basic responsibilities. Ensuring accurate financial reporting, for example, is a hot-button issue today.

4. Make your job search appear haphazard.

Briefly explain in your cover letter the reasons you are approaching each company and what you can uniquely offer. In your resume, customize descriptions of your skills and accomplishments to the position. Show how your job search is consistent with your strengths and career goals.

5. Include personal or outdated information.

Keep it relevant. Hiring managers want to know what you can do for them today. They aren't interested in your hobbies or positions you held more than 10 years ago.

6. Omit dates.

Include a chronology. Whatever your reason, leaving off dates of employment looks suspicious. The last thing you want to convey is that you have something to hide.

7. Try to force your information into someone else's format.

Let telling your story be the driver, not a predetermined format. Other than limiting yourself to two pages, feel free to choose a structure that works best for you and your unique background, abilities and major achievements.

8. Think writing quality is unimportant just because a position requires mainly financial knowledge.

Spend time composing your resume. Typos and disorganized thoughts can make a hiring manager wonder about your attention to detail. Proofread everything several times and ask someone you trust to do the same.

9. Misrepresent yourself.

Tell the truth. Embellishing the facts carries a high risk. Ethics is paramount for companies, and they are actively looking for evidence of integrity in the people they hire. Re-read each of your statements, eliminating anything that isn't 100 percent accurate and truthful.

10. Overuse superlatives or trendy words.

Explain how you actually made a difference in improving a process, a team or even a company. There's nothing wrong with tooting your horn, but you won't impress hiring managers with overused phrases like "dynamic go-getter," "optimized processes" or "facilitated change."