Thanks for sending in all of your resumes over the past week in preparation for Job Search Boot Camp! I’ve loved looking at them. After reviewing all the resumes, I wanted to share 5 big picture ways to avoid your resume getting thrown in the trash.
These are just the first step of having a polished rock star status resume. Without these, you won’t make it far.
5 Very Basic Things You Need to do with your resume
- Make it pretty.
- Put your references on a second page by themselves.
- Finish your sentences. Tell me more. Show quantifiable value that you added.
- Keep it to 1 page!
- Cut cheesy interests and bullshit about crappy jobs.
Shout Outs!
- Most Likely to Call for an Interview: Jen Deweerd from Ontario, Canada
- Overall favorite resume: Katie Garton, Syracuse, New York
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Nicole:
Liked your video, a couple of suggestions, try to stay focused on the camera, don’t let your eyes wonder towards the ceiling. Keep focus on the camera and looking at the lens 100% of the time it will come accross much more effective. Watch and Ah’s an Am’s . Content was great and realize as you stated this was your first video. Good that you followed the format of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 steps on a resume and liked that you highlighted the two resumes, most likely to call for a job and overall resume. In closing I really enjoyed it.
Chet
Hey Chet!
Thanks for the tips, I agree with your suggestions! I forgot that you spent a chunk of your career in this area. Maybe someday I will be infomercial ready! haha. I’m hoping my video skills improve as I practice more
Give Jacque a huge hug for me!
Nicole
When I saw that there was a video, I thought you were actually going to show the resumes, names redacted, of course. But I’m not really clear on what’s “pretty” vs. “ugly”. I think if you would have explicitly shown an example of each it would have made the video even more helpful. Good tips, though, and thanks for helping me squeeze my resume onto one page!
Hey Nicole,
Great points. I look forward to seeing what you’ll be doing with the MsCareer girl boot camp. Sounds like an interesting project.
Thanks Srini! How’s life in Cali? How’s BlogcastFM going? We need to have a catch up soon!
Why should the references be on a second page? Currently mine is on my resume is that bad?
Michelle,
If the content, look, relevant and related experience, and tangible value is expressed in your resume, having references on your first page is not going to kill your chances of getting a phone call. My guideline was directed at those who use it as a way to eat up space because they don’t have anything better to write about.
Nicole
Hey Nicole!
Great Video and some good points about resumes! I just got a job as an HR Director for a private school in NC and its been exciting and challenging. I think the points you made about the resumes were key examples of ways HR and Recruiters look at resumes. Sometimes you have to use a lot of useful adjectives to make your experience seem better then it is. I agree that references need to be on a separate page or something that says at the end of the resume: “references are provided upon request” is always helpful. Some people that have multiple years of experience say 5+ may have up to 2 pages in their resume but entry level and mid level experience needs to be the 1 page requirement for resumes. I look at resumes all day long and yes it takes me 30 seconds to look it over and see if I like it. A lot of the time its the things that people don’t think about would make a difference, when it does. For instance: resume paper in cream or white where it is crisp and fresh looking compared to something that crinkled or multi-colored (which never works on resumes). Also what you said about having more than just what you researched in a given project. You want to show the whole picture to the person reading your resume from where it began, to what you did, and what was the outcome. We like to see numbers and facts. Also on a side note for cover letters you never ever want to start out with: to whom it may concern, because it makes it look generic and effortless. Its more impressive when someone goes out of the way to find out who the hiring manager is and address it to that person.
I love reading your blog and interesting posts and miss you so much!
Great Work
Brooke
Brooke!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your insight! I’m glad to hear you landed such a fabulous position.
I love hearing real advice from real recruiters who deal w/ these common resume and CB faux paus every day! I’ll have to interview you for the Job Search Boot Camp guide I’m writing.
Nicole
Overall, I really liked the video and tips. One point I disagree on is “Cut cheesy interests and bullshit about crappy jobs.”. While I don’t recommend having more than one personal line, articulating a specific interest can enhance a resume and help you stand out. Personally, the last line of my resume is “Interested in traditional and experimental photography, competed for scholastic awards”. This has started many conversations in interviews, sparked questions by recruiters, and has contributed to a ‘thinking outside the box’ perception.
I agree that a cookie-cutter line like “Interested in movies, exercising, and football” is NOT a good approach. However, a detailed and specific personal touch can add personality, help you stand out, make you more memorable, and contribute to the position you’re applying for.
Angela,
You pointed out a great exception to my “rule.” In your case, I think it is VERY applicable that you share your background in photography. I also think it’s very impressive that you’ve competed for scholastic awards too! That is an accomplishment and something that would enhance your value to a company, not just an interest. Especially if you are in a marketing, PR, sales or product based role.
What I meant, was people who devote 5 bullet points to their summer job as a server at Chili’s. Nothing wrong with that job, not perhaps not the best thing to give so much attention to in a resume.
It sounds like you are on the right track!
Nicole
I have heard a lot of debate over including professional-related experience gained within a greek organization and whether or not to include the actual name of the organization or just including a generic name for the organization. For example, listing the organization as “Social Sorority” rather than “Alpha Sigma Tau.” Have you heard of anyone not getting an interview because they were a sister of a specific sorority?
On a related note, for experience within a politically affiliated organization, would you suggest using a generic name vs the actual name? Like, listing “College Democrats” vs “Campus Political Organization” or something like that.
Thanks!
Chelsea,
Here’s MY opinion on this (I’m not speaking for all career experts). I was a sorority girl. I’m very proud of that sorority and would shout the name off rooftops. I would use the real sorority name in your resume. Who knows, maybe your interviewer was also in your sorority and that makes very a very easy way to start the conversation.
In terms of a politlcally affiliated organization, I would apply the same rule because A. Employers cannot legally discriminate againist hiring you based on political affiliations. B. If that bothered them so much, why would you want to work with those people anyways?!
Nicole
Hey! I had no idea you voted my resume overall best. I just found out by googling my name. Thanks. I haven’t gotten a job yet, but maybe they’ll love my resume like you did.
-Katie