As a recruiter, I’ve seen thousands of resumes. And as most job seekers already know, the overwhelming majority of them end up in the “no” pile. Think about how many jobs you apply for, and how many calls you get for interviews.
Is there something wrong with your resume? Chances are your existing resume is acceptable, although not the best that it could be. Here are some quick tips on things you should do to strengthen your presentation, and some things to avoid.
Resume Do’s – Substance
- Include a Summary Statement rather than a resume objective. This should be a short narrative of 3-5 sentences describing your key strengths and experience.
Resume Do’s – Style
- Vary the font used in your resume to create some contrast between sections. Some bold and italics work well provided they are not overdone.
- Make sure your font is readable. Arial or Times New Roman are preferred.
- Avoid tables in your formatting. They do not always open correctly.
- Leave plenty of white space to ensure that your document is easy on the eyes. Small margins and cluttered text will not be well received by the person screening your resume.
Resume Don’ts
- Your resume is not your job description. Don’t be tempted to use your current job description in writing your resume. Think accomplishments rather than what your daily responsibilities are.
- Resume objectives are limiting. Avoid them.
- Don’t write your resume in the first person. “I” should not appear in your document.
- Make sure your contact information is professional. Your email address and voice mail message should be employer worthy. Your 2 year old on your voice mail is not professional. Likewise, “putterbill at anydomain.com” is not appropriate.
- Avoid expressing dates in months/year. This format highlights any gaps in your record. Since your resume is used to screen you out, not in, you want to avoid this level of detail. You will have an opportunity to address any gaps in your employment record when you’re interviewed, assuming you’re asked!
- Don’t list every organization you’ve ever belonged to. Avoid listing political and religious organizations. You don’t want to be screened out because an interviewer is biased.
- Don’t include a picture.An employer is not permitted to ask you any questions related to race, religion, age, ethnicity, etc. Including a photo can be problematic for the employer. It might be easier for the employer to have a policy that eliminates all resumes that contain a photo.
- Don’t include personal information – marital status, children, height, weight. Again, these are things an employer should not know.
- Don’t list your references on your resume. There are better ways to handle this important part of the hiring process.
Take stock of your resume and make changes as needed. You can’t get the job if you can’t get the interview! Use these tips to put your best foot forward, and more importantly, avoid costly mistakes. Your resume only gets a 15-20 second review before the screener decides if you are a potential fit with their requirements. Make the best of it!
Author: Cindy McGeever
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