A little self-help here for those out of work or looking for better work or a change. I might be one of those and maybe I should study this closer? – WD0AJG
Listen. Is that your phone not ringing? And after sending out 100 resumes, each of them four pages long, powder puffed, enveloped in coral green and sealed with a wax stamp? Maybe it’s time to take stock of that all-important document, and make sure it’s not stumbling around out there with its figurative foot in its mouth. When writing a resume, there are 5 lip-smacking kisses of death, classic mistakes you have to avoid.
Writing A Resume Without Contact Information
You’d be surprised how many people leave off their phone number or ignore the opportunity to include an email address in the heading. And on that latter point, make sure your email address is stable, long term, and professional sounding. When writing a resume, skip the one you use with your friends, PartyGirl @ LoadsOFun.us, and opt instead for something that won’t raise eyebrows. Like JaneDoe @ SeriousBusiness.com.
Writing A Resume That’s Too Long
If you’re writing a resume and look up from your keyboard to discover it’s three pages and counting, you’d better be a world-class CEO with instant name recognition. Then again, if you meet that description, you can get by with a single page, can’t you? Regardless of your real or imagined worth to a company, limit your resume to two pages max, one page ideally. With regards to all the valuable stuff’ you’re leaving off the resume, be happy you’ll have something to talk about during the interview.
Writing A Resume With An “Over The Top” Design
Ignore your impulse to write a white-text resume on black paper, or include a scratch-and-sniff perfume spot on the page. I know it’s competitive out there, and folks are tempted to stretch their marketing muscles. The problem is, you’re not pitching yourself to magazine readers. You’re pitching yourself to an HR type who is not amused by the ‘penny’ for his thought, taped to your resume.
Speaking of design, limit your font selection to one or two. When writing a resume, use the traditional and popular New Times Roman if you prefer lettering with a serif, or consider Arial, Helvetica or Verdana if you want a clean, more modern san serif font. Go easy on the bold and the underlining. And limit your paper selection to white or beige with a weight of 22 or 24 lb. Black type.
Misspellings; Poor Grammar
Nothing signals an inattention to detail like a misspelled word on a resume. The one document on which you intent to present yourself to your ideal company, and you’ve misspelled achievemints. Trust me when I say you won’t be adding to your list of achievemints with that company.
Writing A Resume Full Of Personal Information Not Relevant To The Job
You may be the Friday Night Dart Champion at Willie’s Bar, but when writing a resume, leave it off. Likewise don’t mention your marital status, number of children if any, social security number, height and weight, hobbies, and sports unless and only unless you’re an avid golfer applying to Titleist.
At the risk of sounding redundant, don’t mention the mushroom garden in the basement, the marathon training regimen you’ve undertaken, your fascination with Star Trek memorabilia, or the hours you spend listening for extra-terrestrials with the modified ham radio contraption in the garage.
Especially that last one.
David Alan Carter is a former headhunter and the founder of Resume One of Cincinnati. For more than ten years, he personally crafted thousands of resumes for satisfied clients from all occupational walks of life–entry level to executive. The author of the free report, Top 10 Kisses Of Death (that’s right, 5 more deadly kisses, including weasel words and functional formats), David has also compiled a collection of Real-Life Resume Objectives, by profession, at ResumeObjective. Look for your profession in the table of contents along the right hand side.
Author: David Alan Carter
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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