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The Resume Headache and How To Get Rid of It
Let’s be honest – nobody loves
writing their own
resume. It’s frustrating to string together all of those
life “episodes” in a way that makes sense for the direction
in which we are now heading. Then there are those questions
we ask ourselves that distract us from the whole point of
the resume, like: “How much personal information should I
include? How can I make mine stand out from other resumes?
Should I include a photo?” It is so easy to get tangled up
in the details of your entire life that you forget that,
while the resume is a factual document, it is also a
marketing piece.
My experience in working with job-seekers has revealed a
number of interesting observations. The first is that people
seem to dislike editing their life. They fear leaving
something out that could enhance their candidacy. The
problem here is that too much information could cause the
hiring agent to toss that resume in favor of candidates that
have less complicated resumes.
The second observation I’ve made is that people aren’t clear
on the impact of a well-written objective. The objective on
a resume tells the hiring agent exactly what you want. If
your objective is specific, and fits well with the company,
it could be the deciding factor between you and a similar
candidate, particularly if that candidate didn’t include an
objective. Remember, an objective on a
resume is not set
in stone. It can be tweaked to fit the particular
opportunity for which you are submitting your resume.
The rules of thumb for a basic resume aren’t really as
challenging as some would think. Unless you are in a
technical field or seeking an executive position, your
resume shouldn’t
be more than one page. It should include your objective at
the top, your education, and your last ten years of work
history in chronological order with the most recent first –
working backwards. Depending on the space available, you can
add a “Special Skills” Section. Though some prefer to
indicate that references are “available upon request,” I
advise adding the names, titles and phone numbers of two
references at the bottom. It just makes it easier on the
hiring agent.
This is the standard format that I use, and while there are
other details involved, the challenge of writing a good
resume is more about preparation than putting computer ink
to paper.
Prior to writing your resume you should make sure that your
answer greeting for the phone numbers you include on the
resume is something you wouldn’t mind a potential employer
hearing. I had one client with a cell phone greeting that
was completely inaudible, and another client with a greeting
that sounded as though she was in the middle of a party.
I don’t advise using an e-mail address on a resume. There
are just too many reasons that something could go wrong
(i.e.: mailbox overload, technical problems, etc.) However,
if you feel you must use your e-mail address, here are some
tips. Change your e-mail address or reconsider using it on a
resume if it is something like wildchild@whatever.com or
buffdude@whatever.com. The idea is that you want to convey
an appropriate image from the start. Also, you need to be
able to check your e-mail several times daily in order to be
responsive. If you are going to be out of town and don’t
have other access, make arrangements to have someone check
your e-mail. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that, if a
hiring agent is really interested, he will call you if he
can’t get you by e-mail. The responsibility is yours to be
accessible. If you make it difficult for them, or add time
to their schedule, you may be risking your candidacy.
What I’ve shared may sound like a lot of common sense, but
there really is a process to creating a good resume.
Streamlining work history is usually the key concern for
most people. Resume
preparation becomes more difficult, however, for those who
have problematic situations, but even those can be resolved.
If you have limited work history, making your resume appear
“thin,” then add or elaborate on a “Special Skills/Training”
section or “Special Skills/Experience” section. If you don’t
have a college degree or formal education beyond high
school, you can still use your graduation from high school
on your resume. Include other training, as well. For those
with a long military background, make sure your duties are
expressed in everyday language, and show a relation between
that work and your new career objective.
The most important action to take when preparing and writing
your resume is to
adopt a marketing mindset. With a basic format and the right
mindset, that
resume headache
you started out with will never haunt you again.
Mary Kurek is a Networking and Marketing Coach who works
with entrepreneurs and people transitioning jobs and
careers. Mary is launching an instant resume kit in late
March 2007. She conducts workshops on the subjects of
networking, entrepreneurship and small business marketing.
Her new book, Whose Hiding in Your Address Book is due for
release June 2007. Visit
http://www.marykurek.com
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