Resume Design Resume Writing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following should generally NOT be included on a modern US resume?
- LinkedIn profile URL
- Professional certifications
- A photo of yourself (Correct answer)
- Volunteer experience
Correct answer: A photo of yourself
In the US, including a photo on a resume is discouraged as it can introduce bias and is not standard practice.
Question 2: How should you handle a job where you were fired on your resume?
- Include it with the note 'fired' in the description
- Omit it entirely from the resume
- Include it without labeling the departure reason (Correct answer)
- List it under a separate section called 'Terminated Roles'
Correct answer: Include it without labeling the departure reason
You should list the job normally; resumes don't require departure reasons, which are better addressed if asked during an interview.
Question 3: What is a hybrid (combination) resume format best suited for?
- Entry-level candidates with no experience
- Candidates with career gaps or changing industries (Correct answer)
- Executives with 30+ years in one field
- Candidates applying for government positions
Correct answer: Candidates with career gaps or changing industries
The hybrid format blends skills-first presentation with chronological experience, making it ideal for career changers or those with gaps.
Question 4: When tailoring a resume for a specific job, what is the MOST effective strategy?
- Send the same generic resume to all employers
- Mirror keywords from the job description in your resume (Correct answer)
- Use a completely different format for each application
- Remove irrelevant jobs from your work history entirely
Correct answer: Mirror keywords from the job description in your resume
Incorporating keywords from the job posting helps your resume pass ATS filters and shows alignment with the role.
Question 5: Which action verb best starts a bullet point describing a leadership accomplishment?
- Helped
- Led (Correct answer)
- Did
- Tried
Correct answer: Led
Strong action verbs like 'Led' convey ownership and authority, making your bullet points more impactful.
Question 6: How many pages should a resume typically be for a professional with 10 years of experience?
- Always one page
- One to two pages (Correct answer)
- Three to four pages
- As many pages as needed
Correct answer: One to two pages
Professionals with 5–15 years of experience typically use a two-page resume, keeping content relevant and concise.
Question 7: What is the purpose of including a skills section on your resume?
- To list every skill you've ever heard of
- To highlight technical and transferable abilities relevant to the target role (Correct answer)
- To replace the work experience section
- To list your hobbies and personal interests
Correct answer: To highlight technical and transferable abilities relevant to the target role
A targeted skills section quickly signals to recruiters and ATS that you possess the competencies the role requires.
Resume Design Resume Writing 3
Which of the following should generally NOT be included on a modern US resume?