Looking to stand out from the crowd? For job seekers, presenting a perfectly curated resume can go a long way toward landing that all-important job interview.
While resumes can vary by form and content, there are some definite do’s and don’ts. Here are tips and tricks to help your resume make its way to the top of the pile, as opposed to the bottom of the wastebasket.
Make it snappy
According to certified resume writer, career coach and motivational speaker Laurie James, overly detailed resumes are a surefire way to make a recruiter’s eyes glaze over.
“You’re going to want to keep it tight and, if possible, to a single page,” she said. “The average eye of the person reading the document is going to get overwhelmed if it’s not compelling information. Unless it’s very impressive and competitive they’re gonna say ‘Yeah, next,’ and lose interest.”
If it does end up stretching over multiple pages, make sure the added information is necessary. “We always say, ‘Say as much as you need to say, and not one word more,'” James said.
Typos: the ultimate no-no
It sounds obvious, but a resume riddled with typos and spelling errors is pretty much guaranteed to be tossed aside. “It’s just … glaring,” James said.
Keep your eyes on the prize
Lynnette Lee, from the East Baton Rouge Public Library’s Baton Rouge Career Center, says paying attention to the job that’s being applied for is critical.
“Many people see a resume as simply a reflection of themselves and who they are,” Lee said. “It’s also a reflection of what job they’re applying for. It’s a sales pitch, so it also needs to be a reflection of the potential consumer.”
Tailor your resume
On that note, it’s not a bad idea to tweak a resume with an eye toward the job you’re after.
“A lot of people have a generic, one-size-fits-all resume,” Lee said. “The problem with that is it’s like one-size-fits-all clothing: it doesn’t look particularly attractive on anyone.”
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