Resume Writing Tips

Resume Writing Tips

Tip#1

Bigger is not better when it comes to resume writing. Content is key. The size of one’s resume will depend on the amount of relevant skills, experience, education, and accomplishments to place into the resume. Many counselors would advise their students to keep the resume to one page only. I agree with this advice as long as all relevant information fits onto one page. This is important for someone that has very little or no experience, but someone with many years of experience should not limit themselves. The hard part is determining relevant experience and not overdoing it. Putting too much information into the resume can make reading boring and redundant.  

Tip#2

Create a “Target Resume” for different jobs. Generalized resumes are not as effective as target resumes. If one is interested in an entry-level position in two different career categories. It is much better to have two good target resumes rather than one excellent generalized resume. Hiring managers do not want to spend their valuable time scanning through irrelevant information. Take the time to build a resume and cover letter that targets the specific job you are seeking.

Tip#3

Do not lie! No matter how small or unimportant it may seem, falsifying information on a resume is grounds for immediate dismissal. Even if the information comes out weeks, months, or years later, the employee is still subject to dismissal. Remember, there is more at stake than just a job. Social media of our time makes such offenses almost impossible to overcome. One touch of a button can tarnish a reputation for life.

Do I really need a Cover Letter?

Do I really need a Cover Letter?

Yes! Absolutely you must! Unless you want your resume to go from the HR’s or Hiring Manager’s hands and straight into trash can, you had better have one. The cover letter is your first impression to potential employers. Not having one will immediately give the impression that you are lazy or not aware of the importance of having one. Think of it like this, would you go out and spend time and money on finding the perfect outfit for a very important date, but not spend any time fixing your hair or putting on your makeup? The same is true for a cover letter, why spend time or money on the perfect resume and not put the effort into having a great cover letter that draws attention to your strengths and skills? You see, the problem with finding a job is the competition.  You have to have something that sets you apart from your competitors. The cover letter is what puts the “Icing on the Cake!” The hiring and selection process is very costly and time consuming for employers. They must find cost effective ways to swiftly sort through their list of prospective employees.

Please post your answer and thoughts on this scenario:

Company X has a job vacancy that they must fill. The HR received fifty online applications for this vacancies. The HR’s initial screening of these applications established that fifty percent of these potential employees have the necessary skills and education requirements for recruitment. Out of these twenty-five, fifteen of them did not submit an online resume. The remaining ten have very similar resumes but only five have cover letters. To save time and money on hiring costs, the Hiring Manager decides to interview five potential employees for the open position. Who do you think will be the five that get the interview?