Resume

By definition the resume is a very flat profile. Reading it doesn’t give the recruiter any sense of your personality, your professionalism, your ability to adapt, or to transfer your skills to new opportunities.

Some candidates resort to gimmicks to attract attention to their resume. It isn’t uncommon for recruiters in large, well-known companies to receive resumes wrapped around boxes of chocolate, or delivered by courier marked URGENT and HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL. Most recruiters ignore such efforts and add the resume to the pile they are reviewing.

Doing a bit of internet research can help you craft a resume that gives recruiters a realistic, positive perspective on you and on your suitability for the job in question. Here are some pointers to get you thinking about what will make your resume your best ever.

Length: Some experts say one page maximum; others say two pages and not more. The length of your resume is really up to you and it depends on what experience and skills you want profiled. The goal is to give recruiters a good sense of how your background meets the job’s specifications.

If you have had several positions that meet the requirements, list them in chronological order, most recent first. The best format is title/position, company name, location, and employment dates. A very brief description of your responsibilities and one or two special accomplishments is all that is needed. The rest can be discerned in the interview.

Many candidates feel that they have to list every job they have ever had. Recruiters aren’t generally interested in part-time work during your studies, or jobs you had while traveling (unless they are all you’ve had). List only those jobs that fit the skills/experience profile. And, don’t feel you have to report jobs held more than 10 years ago. That’s ancient history.

Photos: More candidates are inserting a digital photo into their resume. This is a good idea as long as it remains an email. Most recruiters have to download and print your resume, so make sure the photo translates well to the printed page.

Grammar, punctuation, language: Your resume isn’t the place to use jargon, slang, or the language of text messages. This is the opportunity to show off your ability to communicate. Check your resume for misspelled words and typos. Spell Check won’t catch every error. If you ask someone to proofread, make sure they know how to spell.

You also need to use punctuation (those pesky commas, semi-colons and periods) as run-on sentences just won’t do. The internet can provide some tips if your grasp of grammar is rusty.

Every personal detail: A new trend in resume-writing is to provide all your vitals (e.g., age, height, weight, marital status, ages of your children). Not needed! Again, this information, if required, can be provided in the interview.

Hobbies: This can be both a good and bad addition. Most recruiters are interested to know that you have a life outside work, especially if you are involved in the community. It suggests that you could be a good ambassador for the company. If your hobbies include “reading, listening to music, and surfing the internet”, it might be better to keep such enjoyments to yourself. Mentioning sports activities can be good; it shows a competitive spirit.

Character descriptions: Resumes that provide your own description of your character are somewhat suspect. Why do you need to tell the recruiter that you are “temperate in nature”, or a “quick learner”, or “honest”? Recruiters expect that you share these qualities with everyone else applying for the position. If otherwise, you are out of the running.

Academic credentials: If you have a university degree and/or post-graduate degree, don’t list your high school.

Do provide the details about your degree(s) including the issuing institution, its location, and the year you qualified. You don’t have to provide a transcript unless you are asked for it, so why show off those Cs.

Listing workshops, seminars and professional courses you’ve attended is a good idea as long as you limit the list to those that have a direct bearing on the job you’re seeking.

References: You do not need to provide references on your resume. It is atypical to make these calls until a job offer has been made, or is pending. Who you chose to provide a reference again depends on the position you are applying for. If it is a management position, provide the name of someone who worked for you as well as your immediate supervisor so that recruiters get a bigger picture of your capabilities. Tailor your references as much as possible to reflect the job requirements.

Search the web for ideas on current trends in resume-writing. You need different versions of your resume for different positions. The version that extols your IT skills won’t land an interview if you are applying for a job in sales. Ensure your resume speaks to the job description.

If you are still unsure you have it right, hire a professional to craft it for you. And, finally, most recruiters are happy to give you pointers, but you can’t expect much more than that. Your resume is your responsibility.