Are you confident in your resume or does it make you feel queasy? I cannot tell you how many people contact me with resumes that are screaming out “HELP!”. Let me give you a few quick tips to help make sure you don’t need to reach for the Gravol when you take a look at your resume!
1. The Length of your Resume:
Don’t – unless absolutely necessary or required, exceed the 2 page mark. Quite often resumes I receive contain much more information than required and what ends up happening is the individual
receiving the resume loses interest as soon as they spot the resume is pages and pages long. Condense information wherever possible and leave the extra points for interview discussions.
2. Objectives:
This is a personal pet peeve. Maybe it is because I have seen so many “drab” objectives like:
“Objective: To obtain a job as a Customer Service Agent at ABC Company.” Well, isn’t that exciting, thrilling and eye catching! Not! Look for a way to spice this up a bit. What can you do to stand out?
3. Spelling & Grammar:
Oh the spelling… Spell check was created for a reason – use it! BUT, remember that spell check does not catch everything. Read, Read Read your resume over. Have someone else read it.
Read it backwards….yes this may sound like a funny comment, but sometimes you can find a word that isn’t right. If English is not your first language and you are submitting an English resume – ensure you have someone review it prior to submitting it.
4. Formatting:
Don’t use many different fonts throughout your resume. You want to keep your resume eye appealing but not distracting. If you are submitting a cover letter – ensure it is in the same font as
your resume to ensure the consistent flow.
5. White Space:
A resume is appealing to the eye when there is extra white space on the page. Don’t feel the need to jam-pack your resume with information.
These are just a few tips to help you on your way. If you are struggling – reach out to an expert.
We are always ready and willing to help pave the way to a successful, professional resume!