Resume tips
10 May 2009
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RESUME TIPS
This week on Good Day we’re talking about getting back into the workforce. Your ticket to the interview is the resume.
In addition to our coverage on the air, below are some tips from resume expert Katrina Chapo. Her resume perspectiv e includes< “an empowermen t concept that the run-of-the -mill resume companies charging $300 + can’t do.” She has offered up the following advice.
Resume tips:
I tell people that the resume is just the ticket to an interview. It will not get you the job. The content should include enough to give an overview of your work history and accomplish ments. In fact, I believe it is best to focus on competenci es rather than positions. For instance, that’s great that a person was promoted from assistant to associate. But that might not mean a thing to another company if they have a different promotion system. One must list positions, but not always bank on that shining through.
1. It is a rumor that resumes must be only one page. The focus should be on clarity and organizati on. Once my friend asked me to adjust her resume. It was one page, and EIGHT POINT FONT!!!!! I took care of that.
Hint: Have a friend look at your resume for one minute. Then, ask what stood out to them. After that, subtract ¾ of the content recall. That is what the run of the mill employer will see at first glance.
2. Always use a modest font. Times New Roman, and Arial are ok. Leave it there. 10 – 12pt.
3. Don’t use fancy colored paper. Antiquated reasoning suggests that robin egg blue will make a resume stand out. Rather, it suggests the applicant feels he/she must supplement their package to be noticed. Just use quality resume paper – beige or white. One exception is if you are an artist of some sort. Then you should spend time with conservati ve decoration .
4. Spelling errors are careless and fatal.
5. After a certain point in your career, you need not list your GPA. This is arguable, and is a decision you must make. I would say five years as a rule is when job performanc e trumps GPA.
6. BE SUCCINCT! Don’t write a prose. Again, get someone to take a look at it . There is a big difference between:
“I have been an organizer of upper level executive conference s for four years.”
And “For four years I organized executive conference s.”
“I have been an organizer of upper level executive conference s for four years.”
And “For four years I organized executive conference s.”
7. Don’t state the obvious!!! ! Again, this appears as a cheap filler. Administra tive Assistants , don’t tell people how you mastered a facsimile machine. Who cares that you can file in alphabetic al order. Did you organize meetings? Did you facilitate executive sessions? What about business travel coordinati on?
8. List your strongest points first in a resume. For instance, you would list a ten year career first, and a bachelor degree next. Or, a graduate degree first and a three year career second.
9. Be consistent in your style. Don’t use bullet points for one job, and then paragraph form for another.
10. Do a web search for resumes, and copy the style. You may find an example from your career field that will help.
Cover letter:
This should be three paragraphs .
This should be three paragraphs .
Introducti on:
Position that interests you, name drop if relevant, brief personal intro.
Position that interests you, name drop if relevant, brief personal intro.
Body:
Here you can list some important accomplish ments – or something that could make you stand out as a candidate. It is a fine line between modesty and arrogance. You have to find it. Ask for someone to read it for you as a check for either extreme.
Also – if you have a deficiency or some issue such as a long period w/o employment (although recent times that is not going to be a deficiency ), express a desire to explain. Don’t do it here. I am talking about GLARING issues that they will see. Like a super low GPA, or an incomplete degree program.
Here you can list some important accomplish ments – or something that could make you stand out as a candidate. It is a fine line between modesty and arrogance. You have to find it. Ask for someone to read it for you as a check for either extreme.
Also – if you have a deficiency or some issue such as a long period w/o employment (although recent times that is not going to be a deficiency ), express a desire to explain. Don’t do it here. I am talking about GLARING issues that they will see. Like a super low GPA, or an incomplete degree program.
Conclusion :
Don’t gush. Don’t say thank you for anything yet. Simply say that you believe you are qualified, you would like to have an interview. Give them your phone number.
Don’t gush. Don’t say thank you for anything yet. Simply say that you believe you are qualified, you would like to have an interview. Give them your phone number.
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