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RESUME TIPS
OVERVIEW
NOTE: There are several styles of effective resumes. The style discussed here is considered “hierarchical”
- Your resume is an advertising piece intended to land you some good interviews. Avoid excess or unnecessary detail if you want someone to actually read it
- Use a font size large enough to be easily read, usually 10 or 11 pt. Ariel
- Use margins of 1” all around
- Do not use “fat” paragraphs
- “Bulletize” everything
- Never have misspellings or incorrect grammar
- Never misrepresent anything about your experience or background. Dates of employment must be accurate as well as various certifications and educational credentials
- Assume that a thorough background check will be made on all details
LENGTH
- Keep it to no more than two pages, regardless of your experience. Excess information becomes counter-productive. The ideal length is one and a half to two pages for most people
- If additional information is appropriate, such as a project list, make it a separate document
CONTENT
- In general the reader does not care what your middle initial is or about some vague sounding OBJECTIVE. If you do not have a very specific OBJECTIVE leave it off the resume
- After your heading, start with your “label” such as SENIOR BANKING EXECUTIVE followed by a brief summary – one or two sentences or a short paragraph – that amplifies your credentials as such
- Next, list some of your best ATTRIBUTES and ACHIEVEMENTS (show units of measure where possible)
- Under EMPLOYMENT HISTORY list your employers, locations, positions and dates of employment in reverse chronological order
- A one line, complimentary description of your employer may be appropriate, i.e., “Second largest manufacturer of widgets in the Western Hemisphere”
- Show your key accomplishments – not just your functional responsibilities – in each position
- Avoid the phrase “responsible for” and other passive language. Employers are less interested in what your were responsible for and more interested in what you actually accomplished
- Begin each bullet with a dynamic “action word”, i.e., “Directed, Led, Created, Managed, etc.
- If you have been in the work force for many years, there is no need to show your earliest positions unless they are relevant to the position being sought
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
- Show degrees earned. Showing dates is optional; however it usually serves no purpose not to show dates. Most mature candidates only want to be where they are wanted
- Be sure to show relevant certifications, associations and community activities including positions of leadership. Don’t overdo the list. Show quality not quantity
OTHER
- Do not volunteer references or say “References available on request”. Of course they are
- Don’t put the word RESUME at the top of the page. The reader can see that it is a resume.
- Don’t have a silly email address. Don’t say “email address: Joe@abc.com” It is obvious what it is. Same with street address, etc.
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