Did you think the biggest controversies in resumes were how many pages and whether to write an objective statement? Here’s a truly controversial resume topic if I ever heard one! Susan Ireland has some guts in taking this one on. Do you think you might be losing interview opportunities due to your name? If so, or if you’re just interested in issues of racial profiling in the job hunt, be sure to take a look at this article and its comments. Should Mohammad Use a Different Name on His Resume?
I recently read two good articles on the topic of how long your resume should be. The first, How Long Should My Resume Be? is from Great Resumes Fast. The other, Resumes for Executive Jobs – Tips on Length, Formatting and Style was written by Matthew Rothenberg of TheLadders and posted today on EmploymentDigest.net.
My guideline is that if you are a new graduate, your resume should be one page if at all possible. If you have 10 years of work experience, it will probably be two pages. I recommend always having a one-page resume at the ready if you are expecting to work with recruiters.
I disagree a bit with the formatting advice from TheLadders. I do not like underlining or changes in font size as a formatting tool. I much prefer the option of “Small Caps” which you will find under the font menu. It’s a great way to create emphasis.
Remember, even though you probably won’t include graphics in your resume (other than perhaps some nice lines and tasteful shading), your resume is a work of art. Print it out and make sure it looks professional! It’s likely that if you underlined a lot and multiple font sizes you will change your mind quickly about your artistic choice when you look at the document in hard copy.
In this article written for New Grad Life, I cover the absolute golden rule of resumes: Write them for your FUTURE. These tips apply to everyone, not just recent grads. The article is short and sweet, and contains crucial resume advice. Resumes for Recent Grads: The Purpose of a Resume
I wrote this article for New Grad Life, so it’s catered to new grads, but a lot of the advice is relevant to anyone who has significant items to include under “Education.” Of course, if you’ve been out of school for 10 years, do NOT put the Education section first (that advice is for new grads only)! A possible exception is if you are applying for a job at a university where the name of your undergraduate or graduate institution is the most important credential you have on your resume.
Read here: 5 Great Tips to Organize Your “Education” Section
Objective statements, in the past, were about what you wanted to get out of a job. Now they’re all about what you offer an employer. The words “Objective Statement” or even “Summary of Qualifications” should not even appear on your resume. Instead, write the title of the position you want in BIG BOLD LETTERS and then sell yourself. Here are some tips on how to do that, from Great Resumes Fast. Do I Need an Objective Statement on My Resume?
What’s the difference between a resume and a LinkedIn profile? Brenda Bernstein of The Essay Expert answers this question and more on a recent interview posted on Bill Vick’s EmploymentDigest.net. Interview with The Essay Expert
These tips cover more than your resume. They touch upon many aspects of the job, search from resume keywords to how often to call your recruiter. I might have chosen a different title for the article, but the information it contains is right on point. 12 Eye-Catching Resume Tips : Words in your resume could make or break it
Recently I worked with a client who sent me his resume for informational purposes; the first thing I asked was, “Did you get this resume done at ResumeEdge?” I had nailed the source of his “canned” resume format. If I can spot a template a mile away, then so can recruiters and hiring managers who view hundreds of resumes each day. The Essay Expert does not use templates for any of our resumes, and this article explains why. Are You Using a Resume Template?
If you can address these three issues in your resume, you might find yourself with an offer for an interview.
3 Things Your Next Employer Will Search For On Your Resume
The first step to writing a great resume is getting clear about why you are writing it. Then you have about 15 seconds to communicate your goals and who you are to the hiring professional reading it. Here are some insightful tips from Great Resumes Fast on making sure you don’t lose your reader on the first line. Is Lack of Focus Dragging Your Resume Down?
