Career Advice

Depending on whom you talk to, a résumé may be viewed as the vehicle to securing your next job, or as an unnecessary nuisance. In both cases, this is information is wrong.

A résumé is a vehicle to an interview. It's often the first line of contact. It establishes a first impression of background and hiring value. If written well, this impression can be a positive one, offering your reader a sense of your "fit" for the specific position for which you are applying. If written really well, it will convince your reader that you are the ideal candidate for both the position and the company which holds the position. When coupled with an effective cover letter, it can be a strong marketing tool. If it secures for you an interview, then it's done its job. If it sets you ahead of your competition in the mind of the interviewer, giving you an advantage even before the interview, then it's gone one step beyond doing it's job, and it's done what all good marketing pieces do, it's sold you.

Preparing a résumé may be seen as a nuisance, but having a well-constructed, well-designed résumé is important. Consider that for each available job opening there may be as many as 100 to 1000 résumés submitted. If your résumé fails to adequately and accurately convey your hiring value (for that specific position), fails to establish your value over a competing individual for the position, or is difficult to follow, your ability to compete against those 100 to 1000 candidates is greatly diminished.

Like it or not, in the situation of looking to secure new employment, you have entered the field of sales. The product you are "selling" is you, and the "customer" has a certain set of expectations and needs. They are going to give you 15 seconds, or less, to secure their interest in the product you are selling. 15 seconds to determine whether what you offer meets their established criteria. Will your current résumé succeed under these conditions?

In preparing your résumé, the more you know about the position you are applying for, the better. If you know the company missions and goals, if you understand the needs of the position, if you have accurately assessed your own value to those who have employed you in the past, you will have the material necessary to create an effective marketing piece.

As in any type of marketing material, it is important to present the information so that it captures interest quickly. Your goal is to encourage the reader to stay with the material as long as possible. Your chance for a more detailed reading increases when you give the reader that information which they most want to locate, early in the document. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to create a Summary Group at the beginning of your résumé. A Summary Group highlights those personal and professional skills which you possess that allow you to excel in your field. Those items of greatest importance to that specific position should be listed in priority, supporting an impression of success to the position and company for which you are trying to place yourself. These are also the aspects of your background that set you apart from your competition, particularly competitors with skill sets similar to your own. You are, in effect, telling your reader why they should hire you over all others and why interviewing you for this position will not be a waste of their time, but instead, an opportunity to meet the ideal candidate for the position.

When writing your résumé, keep in mind your specific reader. Listing information that will be of no interest or value to the position for which you are applying simply wastes space. Check for redundancy in your statements. If the positions you've held are similar, repeating the same functions throughout your document is unnecessary. By the same token, do not short-change yourself on your accomplishments. Your potential employer is most interested in seeing how hiring you will benefit him or her, and the company. This is most effectively portrayed by recognizing how your past employment benefited past employer(s), company(ies), clients, or coworkers. Take credit for what you've accomplished. Aspects of your background that may seem minor or of little value to you, may be seen as an asset to those looking to fill a need.

The layout of your résumé is also extremely important. Your résumé needs to maintain a professional and "clean" appearance. It should allow the reader to access the information quickly. Neat margins, adequate "white space" between groupings, and indenting to highlight text, aid the ease of reference to the material. Use "bolding" and italics sparingly. Overuse of these types of highlighting features diminishes their effectiveness of promoting the material they highlight.

The contact information (how the reader can reach you), is in essence the most important information in the entire document. Make certain your name, address, phone number, and email address (if included) are clearly visible and at the top of your document. If you are including a second page, be certain that at least your name heads this page also (consider including your phone number here, too).

The standards for résumé length have changed. It used to be typical for résumés to be one page in length, and no longer. For candidates with years in the field, this often resulted in documents that were unreadable, with information squeezed, magnifying glasses required. The one-page standard is no longer true. Use as much space as you need to concisely, accurately, and effectively communicate your history, achievements, accomplishments, talents, and skills as they are relevant to the position for which you are applying. A two-page document, presented well, will not diminish the effectiveness of your marketing piece, as long as all the information provided is directly relevant to your goal and your readers' interest. A three-page résumé is requesting much of your reader's time, and may not be as effective as a more concise resume. Document, in detail, your most recent 10 years of employment and/or experience. Longer if the most recent position extended 10 years or more. Be certain that if you held long term employment with one employer that you document growth in the position, including increased responsibilities and promotions. List positions held prior to this in decreasing detail, unless a previous position better documents your skills for the current goal. You want to entice you reader into wanting to meet you (the interview) to learn more. Current history will hold the most value. Remember, you will have an opportunity to expand on the information in your résumé during the interview. Entice them into wanting to learn more, but don't forget to leave something to tell them.

Since you can not know what will happen to your document once it's been submitted, be certain that it can hold up to scanning, faxing or photocopying procedures. On interviews, always bring along fresh copies of your résumé.

The résumé will not get you the job, but it can certainly secure your chances of being seen and interviewed, or cause you to be passed over in favor of a candidate who offers a better presentation. As with any type of marketing campaign, use your résumé as one tool in your search. Continue to network, improve your interviewing skills, and use every avenue available to better your chances. And, when you've successfully secured the next position, do this all over again. Always be prepared for the next opportunity. Stay career fit.