1. Target it for the job you want.
This isn’t the time for generalities — a sharp focus is essential. You only have about 10 to 20 seconds to capture the attention of the person screening the resume, so don’t be afraid to customize according to the job description.
2. Be Concise.
Always consider your audience; a resume that’s too wordy or where important skills can get lost will be quickly sidestepped. A PROFILE or SUMMARY SECTION is a great place to list key accomplishments that you want to quickly catch your reader’s eye.
3. Easy to Follow Format.
The 2 most common formats are Chronological and Functional; when you are dealing with busy recruiters or hiring managers, the easier it is to read, the better your chances of getting an interview. Traditional bullet points are also your best bet when listing job skills/accomplishments.
4. This is a Business Document!
Avoid using pictures, graphics and hobbies. Also leave off the phrase, “references available upon request” as this is implied when you send out the resume.
5. Keywords.
In today’s high tech job market, keywords have become essential. Hiring managers have become inundated by resumes from job seekers and employers have digitized resumes by placing them in keyword-searchable databases. Resumes that contain the keywords that relate to the job will more likely be considered.
6. Avoid the Fluff.
Use real content with measurable achievements. Hiring Managers are looking for a proven track record of accomplishments that are relevant to the job. Those packed with a lot of unnecessary fluff are considered a waste of time and are often overlooked.
7. Be Truthful!
Avoid misrepresentation of your education, credentials, etc. Employers can rescind offers or worse, terminate an employee if they find out credentials have been misrepresented.
8. Proof your Resume.
Never rely on Spell Check; have a trusted friend review it for errors.
9. Digital Formatting.
Be sure the resumes appearance doesn’t become skewed when sent as an email attachment. Send it to yourself or a friend first before sending it to a hiring manager.
10. Don’t expose yourself to age-discrimination.
Yes, it’s illegal, but it happens. The rule of thumb is to list about 15 to 20 years worth of jobs; less is even ok if they’re not relevant anymore. You don’t want to scare off a potential employer who may think you’re overqualified or just too old.
