The rules of building a great resume

Your resume doesn't get read, it gets scanned. It's only after an initial and quick determination of interest that a recruiter will actually read through your entire resume. So build your resume with this assumption in mind and make it easy, clear and fast to understand what makes you a compelling candidate.

Here is a list of must do's and must not's for you to follow in building your resume...

• 1 to 2 pages tops! Doing more is only OK if you are a PHD with 30 yrs of experience and a Nobel peace prize. Bottom line...don't indulge, you'll come off as self-important
• Use a chronological format. Almost no one wants a functional resume layout (they are just too damn hard to comprehend). Stick to what works with a nice, logical, linear layout (CONTACT INFO, SKILLS SUMMARY, JOB HISTORY, EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS, PERSONAL INTERESTS)
• Simple works, novelty kills. be cautious about that fancy new online resume that has three different tabs, overloaded graphics and a tag cloud. Some of these features are cool in moderation, just don't go overboard. If the format doesn't function like a traditional resume, you will have put up an obstacle with your audience.
• If you went to an ivy league school, push education to the first page. Just like the girl with great legs who should wear more short skirts (if you got 'em, flaunt 'em).
• If considering out of state jobs, leave out your address and provide only your cell # and email to avoid being cast as a difficult relocation issue.
• Cover letters should be brief and broad (if you even do one at all - I'm not big on them personally).  Also, assume it won't get read. So, don't ever include any important information here that isn't also listed somewhere on your resume.
• Leave out objectives. You could end up shooting yourself in the foot by being too specific and creating a perceived mismatch. Also, most hiring managers don't put a ton of stock in them anyway. It's a "can't help, might hurt" kinda thing.
• Your skills summary should be at the top of the resume and the skills should be listed in order of prominence and relevance.  Employers want specialists, not generalists! Leave out the antiquated and obscure stuff and let managers focus on your most valuable and current core skills.
• If you worked for a company that people won't easily recognize, provide a one sentence description right under the company name to include the URL.  Many times these Industry specifics can be a selling point to your background.
• Make sure to include actual technology specifics for each role. Many people leave these technical buzzwords out of their job descriptions assuming they've already been mentioned in their skills summary...big mistake! Don't leave them guessing about the specifics.And mentioning them twice will also help with search engine optimization.
  
• In describing each job, frame your responsbilities with a % breakdown of the role. Start with the most prominent duties (the largest % of your time) and work backwards from there to cover everything you did.
• Always stick to bullet points (2-3 sentences per bullet). This will make it easier for the manager/ recruiter to scan. No one wants to read long paragraphs!
• Lead with action verbs that emphasize your overall responsibility.
  
• NEVER use adjectives (...built an "amazing" piece of software) or pronouns ("I" or "me). They come off as salesy and/ or self-absorbed. 
• If you've changed jobs a lot, but have defensible reasons for doing so (company relocations, lay offs, contract job, etc..), you may want to think about putting those brief explanations next to your dates of employment so that you don't get stigmatized as a dreaded "job hopper".
• Only provide references upon request. You'll not only save space, but you can cater your choices to that specific company and position when the time comes. This will also allow you to prepare them better for this call from the employer!

Comments

[Patricia Erickson]

You provided readers with some great information in your post. I thought your comment stating all resumes get scanned was interesting!

Thanks for your insights.

[Acai Berry]

Thanks Beth for this wonderful tips... It really helped shape how I approach job opening and interviews... Thanks once again for your wonderful post!

[Sophie Walters]

Good points, I have tried to squeeze all information into two pages it seems impossible, one page past jobs one page education and the about skills... never have enough space, I agree about skills though I have always assumed that mentioning once is sufficient, right, time to get back to my CV :-)

--Easiest way to advertise your job vacancies in London.