There is no debate that resume writing has changed a lot over the years. With all of the different recommendations on the internet, it can make creating your resume more difficult. If your resume is collecting dust or you are still adding to your resume from college, then I urge you to keep reading. You will thank me afterward.
Using an objective statement Every time I see an objective statement on a resume, I cringe. Most of you reading this are probably old enough to remember saving your resume to a floppy disk. Well, the objective statement went away with the floppy disk. Resume objectives state the obvious. You wouldn’t have applied for the job if you didn’t want it, right? Listing every job responsibility Some of us create our resumes with the mindset “more is better.” Make sure to review each job description before applying and customize your resume for each job. Your objective is to include information relevant to that position. For example, if you are applying for marketing positions, then focus on marketing-related functions. Using bright colors and fancy fonts Many large organizations use advanced applicant tracking systems to screen resumes. If you submit a resume with a fancy font or bright colors, then there is a significant chance your resume becomes distorted on the other end. You only have a matter of seconds to impress a recruiter, and you don’t want to distract them with bright colors and fancy fonts. Stay away from using Times New Roman. It has been widely used for so many years it has become outdated and predictable. I recommend using Arial, Tahoma, or Calibri. Listing “References Available Upon Request” If this is on your resume, please remove it ASAP. You usually are asked to provide references during the application process. Before starting a job search, you should compile 4-5 professional references and list them on a separate document. When the time comes to provide those references on an application or to a hiring manager, you can send them right away. Remember to get permission from these individuals before listing them as a reference |