Jessica J’s Fighting Resume Fears

The dire warning has been given by nearly every professor, career advisor, and parent in the modern world - “A resume can make or break your career!” With the fear of ruining your entire future hampering the resume writing process, it is no wonder that many people, especially young people, are at a loss when it comes to preparing an effective resume. Writing a resume is certainly a process that requires a bit of a time commitment, some deep thought, and often, the help of a professional; however, it is very achievable. These tips will help in fighting the resume demons and creating an effective resume.

1. Proofread- NEVER send out a resume with any typos. Just don’t do it! Typos, spelling mistakes and more can easily be eliminated by reviewing your own resume or asking someone else to take a look at it. A typo is a very easy way to make a very poor impression. Why would anyone hire someone that isn’t thorough enough to proofread their resume?

2. Always be truthful- lying on a resume is not only ineffective, it is also considered unethical. Many employers follow up on claims made in a resume, and you will not be hired if an employer finds a lie in your resume. Employers want trustworthy employees.

3. Create a resume that is the appropriate length- a resume is an introduction to an applicant that highlights important characteristics; it is NOT a life story. A potential employer may read hundreds of resumes, and is almost certain to not spend the time reading a very lengthy resume. If you are just getting your first job, a one page resume is probably long enough. As you gain more experience, two pages will be acceptable, but brevity is still important.

4. Use appropriate formatting- while it might seem that excessive color, graphics, and formatting on your resume will show your style, it is more likely to distract the reader and seem unprofessional. Limit yourself to black type in a standard font of size 10-12 pt. It is great to use bolding or italics to draw attention to certain areas, but be sure to use them sparingly. Don’t be afraid to leave some white space, as it will keep your resume from looking overwhelming.

5. Adapt your resume to the position- Yes! You will need to adjust your resume for each job that you are applying for. If you choose to include an objective, you will obviously want this to fit the job you are looking to be offered. Also, you will want to include experiences and associations that are relevant to the job at hand. For example, 5 years of serving experience will be important to include on a resume seeking a restaurant management position, but may not be as important as emphasizing computer skills on a resume for a secretarial position.

6. Wording- make sure to use action verbs and quantifiable figures when describing experiences. Phrases like “generated an additional $1,000,000 in sales for the firm through creation of a new marketing campaign” will sound better than “worked on marketing to increase sales.” Remember to try not to repeat words, and make sure you are writing in the appropriate tense.

Remember that all resumes are different, and everyone will need to adapt their resume to suit their purposes. These resume tips will help in the creation of an effective resume, but are only some of the many aspects that should be considered when writing a resume. Be sure to take your time and ask for help if you need it—after all, a resume is something well worth the effort!

Sources:

"CareerPerfect." CareerPerfect. Web. 17 Nov. 2009.

Effective Resume - Top 10 Checklist For An Effective Resume. Web. 17 Nov. 2009.

Flick, Allison. "Resume Cohort Meeting." Honors Resume Cohort Meeting. Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL. 8 Sept. 2009. Speech.

"Tips for Effective Resumes." University of Minnesota. Web. 17 Nov. 2009.

"Ubersearch." Sharing Machine. Web. 16 Nov. 2009.