Your resume is the single most important marketing document a job seeker uses in the job search. I also find that the resume is the one document that job seekers also struggle with most. While I agree that
resumes are becoming a thing of the past and online profiles and proposal style documents are the future, resumes are still king.
Resumes are the preferred method for recruiter and hiring managers to receive job seeker information including their experience, qualifications, and educational experience. Some thoughts on your resume.
- White Space Rules. The more the better I say. Having a cluttered resume is a lot like having a cluttered home when your house is on the market. The hiring manager can’t picture you at their company based on the most valuable skills and experience because often times your resume is filled with clutter, crap, and unnecessary items. Declutter, highlight your features, and help the hiring manager put you to work.
- Include Your Online Profile. As I mentioned earlier, your resume is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Since the majority of recruiters Google candidates long before they arrive to the interview, make it easy by including your blog, resume website, or LinkedIn online profile.
- Double Space is Your Friend. While white space matters, so do the use of the double space, heading fonts to draw the recruiter’s eye to certain areas, and bullets to define particular areas of interest. Make sure to hit enter twice for a double space between each different company you have worked for or position as well as between your heading and the more detailed description.
- Two Pages, Please! Your resume should really be no more than two pages. For new grads, do your best to keep your resume to just one. Resumes packed with information distract, confuse, and send mixed messages to the hiring manager. Be specific yet creative. Hiring managers are pressed for time. Highlight your skills treating your resume like a highway billboard — less is more.
- Explain Your Success. Job seekers should tell a story and include qualitative numbers that are relevant and specific to the position you are applying for. Include data and information to demonstrate your experience and reputation. Using a strategy like this employes a proposal style resume which I like. Paint me a picture of your success that squarely places you in the position I’m hiring for.
There are thousands of articles and hundreds experts and resources to get you pointed in the right direction. The job search is your own so it’s important to own the responsibility of creating, developing, and crafting the best resume as well as job search marketing strategy yourself.
To get you started, I’ve included a Resume Template with suggestions and best practices I’ve used myself in writing and evaluating thousands upon thousands of resumes.
Download this document and best of luck in your job search.
Photo Credit Like Cool.
Your resume is the single most important marketing document a job seeker uses in the job search. I also find that the resume is the one document that job seekers also struggle with most. While I agree that resumes are becoming a thing of the past and online profiles and proposal style documents are the future, resumes are still king.
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