Resumes - An Overview

Back to Career Transitions Overview

Ask ten people for feedback on your resume – for sure you will get ten different answers. Don’t get frustrated.  Take the suggestions that make sense to you (and  your coach) and disregard the rest. Resumes are subjective to a certain degree. 

Far too many people believe that the resume is the most crucial part of a job search.  It isn’t.  But it is an important and necessary tool and needs to be written with care.  Writing a resume is a cross between an art and a science, and a balance between data and nuance. Here are some fundamentals to keep in mind.

  1. The best resumes are created within a context of the future, not simply a laundry list of what has happened in the past. A savvy career coach will help you identify a ‘resume map’ including a framework of the type of role(s) you are shooting for and the competencies that are required in that arena. Once this framework is identified, the focus of the resume will be much clearer.
  1. Always have a summary of qualifications or career profile as the first section of your resume.  The profile succinctly states what you bring to the table and highlights skills that are pertinent to the types of positions you are pursuing. This is what will encourage the reader to continue reading.

Although a resume objective is an outdated concept and is not typically used, there are some circumstances where it could be useful. You may want to incorporate ‘what type of position you want’ (an objective) into your profile if you are planning on making a significant career transition, or if you have recently completed an advanced degree and are ready to shift the focus of your career.

  1. It still matters that your resume incorporates the fundamental rules of design. Although we are entrenched in the electronic age and resumes are sent mostly through the internet, it is still important that the resume has a modern format, is easy to scan quickly and is visually appealing (including appropriate white space).  If applying online to a position and the company requires that you paste your resume into an application box, be sure to use a ‘text only’ resume without formatting bells and whistles; otherwise the reader will see a mumble jumble.
  1. All the information in your resume needs to be consistent and interrelated. Be prepared to give specific examples to back up your statements.  Resume integrity is crucial.
  1. Resumes must identify accomplishments and value brought to the organization(s). Listing responsibilities lets the reader know what you were supposed to be doing, but readers want to know what you actually accomplished and how it added value to the organization.
  1. Always incorporate key words into your resume. It’s a fact of life that many organizations utilize scanning software that selects only resumes with certain words.
  1. Education should precede employment history only if you are a recent graduate with little or no work experience, or if you are trying to change careers and have a degree that is more closely related to the position you are seeking. There may be value in placing ivy league universities closer to the top of the resume.  Talk with your career coach.
  1. Leave out personal information. In the United States, it is inappropriate to include marital status, height and weight, and religious or political affiliations, which can lead to needless bias.  If you are writing a resume to pursue opportunities in other countries, research what is appropriate and accepted in those markets.
  1. Your resume should be updated every six months, even if you are planning to stay where you are for a couple of years.

If you think your resume can be written in an hour, think again.  A good resume requires a lot of thought and usually several iterations.  Working with a career coach can make a significant positive impact on the final outcome.

Research suggests that your resume has less than 20 – 30 seconds to make the right impression, so it must be eye-catching, easy to read and clearly show that you have the skills and experience the organization wants.  Your resume can be the tool that gets you in the door – it’s worth it to do it right the first time.

Two Big Mistakes

1.  Jamming in too much information

Dense resumes are usually boring.  In our fast-paced society, most recruiters and hiring managers don’t have the time to sort out a ton of information.  Be concise. Focus on the most important points to get noticed. The details will come later.

2.  Not getting input from an objective person

Whether we believe it or not, most of us fall into patterns of presenting ourselves. We use the same language over and over, even if it is not positioning us for what we want. Many clients tell their “stories” and completely forget to include simple accomplishments or experiences that could solidify the message that you are a candidate that should be looked at.  Stay open-minded. 

 

back to top