3 Little Resume Things
by Kevin Donlin - Guranteed Resumes - Click for Info
It's the little things that can add up to create a resume that opens
doors for you ... or slams them in your face.
Let's shoot for that first option, OK?
Here are three "little things" to watch out for in your resume to make sure you're putting your best foot forward, sticking that foot in the door and
generating job interviews!
Be consistent In your use of punctuation, abbreviations, job titles, etc., it's important
to set a pattern and follow it consistently as you write your resume.
For example, you should either abbreviate all state names the same way (MN, CA or Minn., Calif.), or write them all out in full. Don't alternate
between the two.
Failure to be consistent will distract readers and ruin the impression you're trying to make.
Exercise restraint When it comes to choosing the fonts, bullet points and other design
elements in your resume, less is usually more.
Don't overwhelm readers with a half dozen fonts, heavy italics, all capital letters or pink paper -- all of which I've actually seen.
Unless you're applying for a position as a rodeo clown or cake decorator, keep your creativity in check. Focus much more on
high-quality wording than mind-blowing design.
Limit the length
There are other resume writers who say a three-page resume is OK, but
because I've offered my clients an unconditional money-back guarantee since 1996, I have to go with what works.
So I insist on two pages as the maximum length for 99.9% of all resumes.
Note: curriculum vitae, used in Europe and by some professionals in North America, can run up to five pages, but I'm talking about
resumes here. The only people who will read your five-page resume all the way through are you
and your mother.
As a seasoned recruiting professional once told me: "The goal isn't to hit them over the head with everything you've ever done. The goal
is to get a job interview."
I pay close attention to these three things -- consistent writing style, restrained layout and a two-page maximum length -- in the dozens of
resumes I write every month. When it comes to the most important resume in the world -- yours -- you should, too.
Best of luck to you!
Kevin Donlin - Owns and operates Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, he has provided
resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients on five
continents.
Kevin has been interviewed by WCCO and WLTE radio, and KMSP
TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment
Weekly, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Twin Cities Employment Weekly and others.
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