Most job seekers don’t realize how often a resume can make or break a chance at a job. Your resume is your first impression, which means that it is very important. The appearance of your resume could determine whether or not an employer wants to interview you. Your resume tells a lot about you and it is important to keep the “no no’s” in mind when writing your resume.
If you have been in the professional world for several years and are mid-career your resume can’t look the same as it did the day you graduated college. Instead of listing your objective and goals on your resume, a generally summary of your qualifications should be at the top of your resume.
When listing previous employers it is important to list the months and years for each position. For example if you worked for a company from January of 2005 to September of 2010 you would notate it like 01/2005-09/2010. Leaving the dates away may make potential employers think that you are trying to hide something. When it comes to resumes never leave out important information that will leave employers questioning you.
Potential employers don’t want to hear about every little detail you did at your previous jobs. They want to hear about accomplishments, achievements and results. Things that make you stand out. For example, if you saved the company a lot of money or brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars of new business then by all means, make sure you let them know. List the action you took and the result that it created.
Make sure your resume is free of personal information. The only personal information that needs to be included on your resume is your name, address, and the best phone number (probably your cell number) to reach you. Employers and recruiters don’t have time to call multiple phone numbers. They will move on to the next applicant if they don’t reach you on the first call. And please – have a professional greeting on your voice mail (no dogs or kids in the background).
You don’t need to include jobs on your resume that will have no influence on the position you are trying to get. For instance, you worked at a snow cone stand over the summer or you were a ticket taker at a local movie theatre when you were 17. These jobs have no relevance to a potential employer. Keep the information on your resume relevant. Don’t include things that people don’t need, or worse yet, don’t want to read.
When sending your resume out it is important to include a cover letter. While a standardized cover letter is a good place to start, it always a good idea to customize your cover letter for every resume that stands out. For example, if you are sending your resume to a company that is a non-profit organization and you have non-profit organization experience include that in your letter. However, don’t include your non-profit organization experience in a cover letter to the CEO of a major bank.
Always remember to only include relevant information. If you’re good at something, don’t be afraid to go into a little detail and brag about yourself. If you need assistance deciding what needs to be included or not include – pick up the phone and call us at 954.236.9558 or email your resume for a free evaluation and feedback.
We look forward to hearing from you.