5 Resume Basics We Bet You’ve Overlooked! |
|
Email | Add Comment | Read Comments
|
|
|
|
Posted By: Jessica Holbrook In: Job Seeker - Resume
Five basic resume rules and the mistakes you make that break them. Thousands of job seekers make these mistakes. Are you making them too?
Five basic resume rules and the mistakes you make that break them. Thousands of job seekers make these mistakes. Are you making them too?
FORGETTING TO INCLUDE A COVER LETTER
Not attaching a cover letter to a resume is like shooting in the dark. Hiring managers receive hundreds of unsolicited resumes every week. Tell them specifically what opening you are applying to or the position you’re inquiring about. Do not assume they will figure it out from your resume.
USING AN OBJECTIVE
Point blank, objectives are bad form, self-serving, and will get you nowhere in this job market. Instead of telling the employer what you want, show them what you can do. When you buy something, the store doesn’t tell you what they want from you. You know what they want; they want your business and your money. Employers know what you want—you want a job. Instead, utilize a career summary that will ‘show’ (not just ‘tell’) the employer how you can meet their needs. And include a completely customized personal branding statement.
UTILIZING HEADERS VERSUS YOUR TARGET JOB TITLE AND PERSONAL BRAND
Titling sections with headers (career summary, qualifications summary) uses up valuable real estate on your resume—space you could be using to advertise your unique value, talent, passion, and vision. Instead, create a catchy personal branding statement that immediately tells the employer who you are and what you have to offer.
LEAVING OUT INDUSTRY SPECIFIC KEYWORDS
Forget keywords and you’re neglecting all three of the audiences that will be reviewing your resume. Even worse, you’re excluding yourself from being found in candidate databases, job search engines, social networks, and more. First, your resume has to make it through the software scan, then the secretary or administrative assistant scan, then on to the hiring manager who actually knows what you’re doing and how you are supposed to do it. You NEED the right keywords. Here’s a hint: check the job description. They are in there; I guarantee it.
PROOFREAD, SLEEP, PROOFREAD, AND GO BACKWARDS
One small mistake and you’re out of the running. Proofread your documents carefully. Take a night to sleep on it, and then read it again. When you go back to read the resume the second time read it backwards one word at a time. Experts say this simple trick will catch any mistakes you would normally read right over.
Use this checklist to determine if your resume passes the “basics” test. Best wishes in your job search.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Comments
|
Posted by: Debra Hoffert
Found this information informative and also would have liked to see some examples. Coming from the other side, it is very important to proofread your resume or even have a friend read through for you. I have seen what a poorly spelled resume can look/appear like.
|
|
|
Posted by: kevin kluin
excellent idea to get a professional to write your resume, but if your looking for a job changes you could not afford the fee.
|
|
|
Posted by: Paulina Mightley
1. quite interesting and unaware re:"Objectives" this will certainly display some confusion to many who are presently getting help creating resumes from professionals; who are not up to date, or not providing current professional advise to the public. I'm certain that many Employers are still "OLD SCHOOL" and may not all be using "The Candidate Database" Some may still be looking for an "OBJECTIVE" how does one Identify such Company in respect to tailor a Resume using the old or new format?
2."Proofread Resume" such an excellent tip.
3.How does the public educate themselves in regards to changes with resumes for the present job market. A website with samples would be an excellent idea.
|
|
|
Posted by: Dana Bachman
Well done and interesting. I was unaware of the "objective" faux pas and would like to see a BRANDING statement as a example of what to do vs. what not to do.
|
|
|
Posted by: Kadidia
Thank you very much. I am going to rework my resume.
|
|
|
Posted by: Jeri Bell-Rankins, PHR
Exellent tips. Not only does a summary present a personal brand, I typically tailor my summary to include a synopisis of the requisite attributes I posssess with the position to which I apply.
|
|
|
Posted by: Gary McMahon
I agree with everything except the idea of not using headers. Headers organize the résumé. They also create some white space which makes the document more inviting to read. I know that advertising "your unique value, talent, passion, and vision" and creating a "catchy personal branding statement" are in vogue now, but only a small part of this should be on your résumé -- unless you are just starting out and don't have much experience or many skills to describe. Selling yourself belongs in the cover letter, or on an optional "marketing statement" that is submitted along with your résumé.
|
|
|
Posted by: Bonifacio Santos
thanx for the fantastic info, i really appreciate it. mabuhay!!!
|
|
|
Posted by: lynn
I have to agree with Angelo. Good advice, but if you are advising to do this, not that - examples would have provided an article that was more beneficial to individuals struggling to find a job in this difficult economy.
|
|
|
Posted by: Brenda Garner
Fantastic information. Thanks
|
|
|
Posted by: Tom Bostock
I write resumes professionally and all of the information contained in the article was timely and factual.
|
|
|
Posted by: Joaquin Rodriguez
I find the article very interesting and was just surprised to hear that using an objective is not a good form. So this is certainly something that so many people might need to learn about.
|
|
|
Posted by: DP
Excellent resource for job hunters.
|
|
|
Posted by: Angelo
I know what your are saying is good advise. I think examples should have been provided. If you say do not use "objectives", use a summary, and brand yourself. My point is, if you say don't do it this way, do it this way, I feel you need to show what you mean as most are not well versed.
|
|
|
Posted by: larry odundo
Excellent article. A must do for any true job seeker.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Email | Add Comment | Read Comments
|
|
|
The opportunity number you have entered is either no longer available or does not exist. You can use the job search box below to find other jobs matching your desired criteria.