how to write the perfect resume Should I include an objective on my resume? What about references? Is a classic resume design the most professional? How many years of experience do employers want to see? Write In Color hears these questions a lot from our resume clients in Los Angeles, and for good reason: crafting an effective resume isn’t easy. If you’re unsure of how to make your resume stand out in the stack, Write In Color is here to help. Here are five strategies we’ve discovered while helping countless people around Los Angeles and Southern California develop resumes that get them the job. Book your resume and cover letter between now and April 15 to take advantage of our Tax Day promotion! Just mention TAX50 to get $50 off a resume and cover letter package. 1. Get rid of your objective. The objective of a resume is always to get the job you’re applying for. In our experience, an objective statement is generic, redundant and a poor use of your resume’s limited space. You’ll get a much bigger bang for your buck if you get rid of your objective and instead devote a little extra space to the concrete accomplishments and skills you’ve gained throughout your work history. 2.  Include your computer skills. Whether you want to be a computer technician or a chef, your technology prowess will come into play. That’s why Write In Color recommends all our clients in Los Angeles and beyond include their tech skills (PC and Mac, as well as programs such as Microsoft Office and the Adobe Creative Suite) on their resumes. Even if you think your dream career won’t require you to use a computer, include these capabilities to show your future employer that you’re well rounded and up to date on technology. 3. Take out your references. Write In Color’s resume clients often send us existing resumes that include statements such as “References available upon request.” Because you want your resume to fit onto one or two pages, every line is valuable. It goes without saying that you will provide references if a prospective employer asks for them. Remove any mention of your references and use the extra space to include more information on your job-related skills. 4.  Proofread, proofread, proofread. Writers and editors aren’t the only people who should have clean, grammatically correct resumes. Many employers say they immediately toss out any resume with a spelling or grammar error; avoid this pitfall by having a resume professional like Write In Color polish your resume. At the very least, have a friend with an eye for English review your verbiage. Take it from us: Spell check won’t catch all the errors on your resume! 5. Choose a modern, easy-to-read design. If you’re anything like a lot of Write In Color’s Los Angeles resume writing clients, you take one look at your resume and feel nothing: no pride, no excitement, and no burning desire to send it out into the world. A lot of that is because your content doesn’t reflect your value to potential employers. But the other piece of the puzzle is the way your resume looks. Your first resume design consideration should be readability; your resume above all should give an employer a clear picture of who you are and what you bring to the table. If it’s a lot of work to read your resume, it likely won’t get read at all. Achieve a welcoming resume design by selecting fonts that are easy (and large enough!) to read and a layout that clearly divides information into work experience, education and other important sections. Whether you’re looking for your first job after graduating from USC or UCLA or are an industry veteran with decades of experience in the Los Angeles market, Write In Color will craft you a custom resume that lets your unique skills and abilities shine. No two people are alike, so no two resumes should be alike, either. We’ve helped people at all stages of their career (young professionals, executives, CEOs, entry level workers, people undergoing career changes, individuals in technical fields, freelancers, and more) achieve a resume that resonates with them and with employers. Contact Write In Color for more information about our resume and CV writing services in Los Angeles, Orange County and Southern California and make sure to read our reviews on Yelp.* *PS we love working with clients remotely. Feel free to contact us if you’re anywhere from San Francisco all the way to New York (or abroad). We can even conduct interviews on Skype.