If you are searching for a new job, your resume is the key to getting that interview! Even if you have an ‘in’ at the company you are interviewing with, your impression on paper can make or break that job opportunity!
Despite what you may have heard, there is no one correct resume format. Having written literally thousands of resumes over my career, I can honestly say each resume has a personality of its own. Combine that with your experience and the position you are seeking means that there is no right way to do it!
Your resume must be easy to scan and interesting to read. The challenge is to create a resume that contains enough enticing tidbits to achieve the goal of obtaining you an interview.
How long should your Resume be?
The "acceptable" length of a resume is heated even among professional resume writers. Must my resume be only one page? Are three or even four pages too much? Again, a common sense approach should prevail. In most cases, a one-page resume is preferred, unless your qualifications are extensive. Very rarely do I come across situations that warrant more than two pages. Remember, your resume is to highlight your best skills- not detail everything you have ever done.
Do you need an Objective?
In my opinion NO! Rather than an Objective Statement, use a professional profile, or career summary. Use this space to highlight the talents you have that are applicable to the position!
Are volunteer professional activities remarkable?
Absolutely! Experience as a professional volunteer demonstrates leadership, networking and a professional commitment. However, PERSONAL volunteer activities- especially those relating to religion, politics or other ‘sensitive’ information is best left out- unless it relates to your career. For example, a Youth Minister would be expected to have volunteer activities related to his or her faith. A school teacher with volunteer experience with the Boys and Girls Club would be acceptable. The best rule of thumb is to think: Does this have anything to do with my career? If no, than leave it off.
Should you include a Personal section?
Rarely, information such as your marital status, age, weight, height, hobbies and interests generally have minimal relevance to your qualifications for a position. In fact, this information can work against you. Although it is illegal to discriminate for a litany of reasons, it occurs constantly. Don't give them any reason NOT to hire you!
Do you include references in your resume?
No, reference information should be kept on a separate sheet of paper from your resume. In fact, the statement "References will be furnished upon request" is again wasted space that can be utilized to share your actual qualifications for a position. Candidates seriously under consideration will be required to furnish references, and it is assumed that they are available.
Do you need to hire a professional resume writer?
Ideally, no. After all, no one knows your career better than you! However, it can be difficult to format and create a resume that doesn’t look like everyone else’s. Because if it does, it will very easily get looked over!
If you need a professional writer, choose someone who can provide samples and provides several methods of contact for you to reach them. Another thing to keep in mind is that hiring a large service, which can charge upwards of $400 for a resume alone, is not always the best way to go. Does it make sense to pay $400 for a resume that can cost you only $120? When it’s the same writer doing the work? I don’t think so, but you can be the judge!
