Monthly Archives: September 2010

What Are The Breakable Resume Rules?

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The evolution of the resume has been quite extensive and trends change as fast as those of technology or fashion. Add to that an increasingly competitive job market and more and more highly qualified individuals applying for the same jobs. So, why are so many people using old, antiquated resume templates? More importantly, what can you do to break away from the boring old resume template your counterparts are using? Here are some innovative, but acceptable ways to break the old resume rules:

Breakable Rule #1: Resumes must be one page. This rule flies out the window once you gain ten or so years of professional experience – especially if you have a lot to show for your experiences. However, the old rule still stands that it needs to be either one or two full pages – never present a page-and-a-half as it looks like you ran out of steam along the way.

Breakable Rule #2: Resumes must start with an objective. No, no, no! Objectives are passé and focus too much on you. Start your resume with a bold, attention-getting title and a short, concise summary paragraph stating what you have to offer – not what you want from your career. This sets a commanding and powerful tone for the rest of your resume.

Breakable Rule #3: Resumes should give a detailed account of your history. Wrong. You should leave the reader interested in learning more about your history instead of explaining every detail in your resume. Tell them you increased sales by 50% after orchestrating a massive marketing campaign, but save the details for the interview.

Breakable Rule #4: Resumes must present employment, education, and tech skills. Period. There are so many other relevant talents and experiences you have to offer! Not only should you list memberships, awards, additional languages, corporate trainings, certifications, etc., but you should list them in order to present yourself in the best light. If you just finished your Master’s degree and your work experience is limited, list education first. If you are in IT, list your technical competencies first. Grab their attention right away with what YOU have to offer.

Breakable Rule #5: Resumes should be in Times New Roman. The fastest way to bore a reader is to use Times New Roman like everyone else. It is okay to get a bit creative with Garamond, Book Antiqua, or even Candara. However, stay away from fonts that may be difficult to read (Mistral, Vivaldi) or are too cutsy (Lucida, Pristina).

Your resume is your best marketing tool and it should be organized, compelling, and unique. Don’t be afraid to make yourself stand out by breaking the old, outdated resume rules!

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Be Persistent But Not a Pain

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When you apply for a job or are waiting to hear back from an interview it’s tempting to want to call and email to find out when they’ll be making a decision. But there is a fine line between being persistent and being a pain.  Let me explain.

After sending your resume to a company it’s perfectly ok to call and verify that they received it.  Same with a follow up phone call after an interview (although this doesn’t take the place of a post-interview thank you letter!).  You can call to express your continued interest in the position and thank them again for the interview.

Now that you’ve done that you may need to sit back and wait.  If they have given you a date that they will be making their decision it is not going to help you to call every day until then.  You might think it shows determination, tenacity and perseverance.  But how you will come across to others is desperate, irritating and a nuisance.  Not exactly someone they will be eager to hire.

Ok, so what if the date for a decision comes and goes or it’s been two weeks since your interview, then by all means follow up with the hiring manager again.  The key to being persistent is not crossing the line into annoyingly pesky.  An initial follow up call and then again a week or two later is persistence.  Calling and emailing incessantly is being a pest.  While it might be hard when you’re waiting to hear about a job, resist the urge to constantly check where they are at with making a decision.

Since we’re talking about being a pest, don’t send a gift.  Sending a gift to the hiring manager (before or after an interview) might get their attention but probably not the attention you want.  You may have attended the same college but sending a big foam finger in school colors will not get you the job.  The same goes for baked goods, don’t send them, or bring them to an interview, unless you’re applying to a bakery!

Don’t stalk the hiring manager.  Showing up at the company to check in isn’t going to make them hire you; it may however make them call security.  Another way to give off a stalker vibe is to send friend requests to them on social networks.  Keep it professional!

Don’t have friends, colleagues or your mom (seriously, it’s been done) call the company on your behalf.  This will do nothing to help you secure a job.  This is what references are for and if a company wants them they will ask for them.  Just don’t have your friends solicit for you.

Global resume authority Jessica Hernandez of Great Resumes Fast is a former HR Manager who partners with professional- and executive-level candidates to create authentic, branded resumes and cover letters.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.