Monday, June 18, 2007
Don't Buy Into These Resume Myths
A resume should only be one page long. Job hunters are probably more confused by hearing this nonsense than any other piece of information. Your resume's primary value is to produce interviews. If you are a six-figure executive or merely an individual with several decades of work history, it is unrealistic to believe that you can demonstrate your value in such an abbreviated manner. Literally millions of fantastic first impressions, career opportunities and salary enhancements have never been realized over a shortsighted rule, the source of which no one quite remembers. Unless you are an entry-level candidate, a mere two sheets of paper offend no one.
A resume shouldn't include an objective. Career advisors continue to debate whether or not resume should contain objectives. We have found it literally impossible to establish the direction of a client without at least a "headline" objective. A resume without an objective is much like an attorney going to court and not submitting a plea. How would the jury decide on the case when there is no focal point to substantiate? Yet opponents claim that an objective restricts a candidate's potential direction and may limit opportunities. Others believe that a different resume should be constructed for each occasion. My position as Executive Vice President of the National Resume Writer's Association has given me the opportunity to survey the writing community, and I have found literally no one who believes this to be a practical or necessary way to job search. A "headline" objective, i.e. Sales * Marketing * Merchandising can identify the candidate's intentions and strengths without eliminating any potential opportunities. Interviewers seek goal-oriented, directed, motivated candidates and there's no better way to demonstrate these qualities than by beginning your resume with a specific objective.
A resume should be creative.... To be noticed use gunmetal parchment paper, a book cover style, or select a graphic that visually depicts you or your field of expertise. These were fantastic techniques during the 1980's. I offered custom-designed paper with a two inch scarlet top border and gold embossed words such as "Management," "Marketing," "Public Relations," or "Manufacturing" to describe client's objectives. Candidates loved their resumes and employers responded to the creativity. We were accustomed to loose rules when the advent to technology changed the game. Today because we must consider scanners, faxes machines, and other paraphernalia, and because we also no longer wear our 1980's business suits (do we?), resumes must create impact with content, thus requiring steak with the sizzle.
Experience should always be in short bullet format. This is another absolute that I don't just accept without intensive consideration. While I do like the bullet method, I prefer bullet statements as opposed to bullet phrases. "Increased sales 25% for three consecutive years" will be more effective if expanded to say, "Penetrated negatively producing market and increased sales 25% through the implementation of intense merchandising strategies, client incentives and follow-up." It is also a very common practice to distinguish between the job description and achievements by paragraphing the duties and stating the achievements in bullets. Visual format is critical to securing and keeping the reader's attention.
When creating your resume, remember that absolutes can be counter-productive to the strength of your presentation. The strategies and remedies are different depending on the situation. Good luck!
A resume shouldn't include an objective. Career advisors continue to debate whether or not resume should contain objectives. We have found it literally impossible to establish the direction of a client without at least a "headline" objective. A resume without an objective is much like an attorney going to court and not submitting a plea. How would the jury decide on the case when there is no focal point to substantiate? Yet opponents claim that an objective restricts a candidate's potential direction and may limit opportunities. Others believe that a different resume should be constructed for each occasion. My position as Executive Vice President of the National Resume Writer's Association has given me the opportunity to survey the writing community, and I have found literally no one who believes this to be a practical or necessary way to job search. A "headline" objective, i.e. Sales * Marketing * Merchandising can identify the candidate's intentions and strengths without eliminating any potential opportunities. Interviewers seek goal-oriented, directed, motivated candidates and there's no better way to demonstrate these qualities than by beginning your resume with a specific objective.
A resume should be creative.... To be noticed use gunmetal parchment paper, a book cover style, or select a graphic that visually depicts you or your field of expertise. These were fantastic techniques during the 1980's. I offered custom-designed paper with a two inch scarlet top border and gold embossed words such as "Management," "Marketing," "Public Relations," or "Manufacturing" to describe client's objectives. Candidates loved their resumes and employers responded to the creativity. We were accustomed to loose rules when the advent to technology changed the game. Today because we must consider scanners, faxes machines, and other paraphernalia, and because we also no longer wear our 1980's business suits (do we?), resumes must create impact with content, thus requiring steak with the sizzle.
Experience should always be in short bullet format. This is another absolute that I don't just accept without intensive consideration. While I do like the bullet method, I prefer bullet statements as opposed to bullet phrases. "Increased sales 25% for three consecutive years" will be more effective if expanded to say, "Penetrated negatively producing market and increased sales 25% through the implementation of intense merchandising strategies, client incentives and follow-up." It is also a very common practice to distinguish between the job description and achievements by paragraphing the duties and stating the achievements in bullets. Visual format is critical to securing and keeping the reader's attention.
When creating your resume, remember that absolutes can be counter-productive to the strength of your presentation. The strategies and remedies are different depending on the situation. Good luck!
