Employers rely on resumes more than any other tool to ensure that you’re qualified for the position. While it’s not the only thing that is used to make a determination, it is critical. There are a few things that you need to consider when creating a resume when you’re seeking a job.
Format Your Resume Properly
There is a right and a wrong way to format your resume. Even if you’re a graphic designer, you don’t want to use graphics or exotic fonts. Keep it simple for employers to read. Don’t use colors, don’t laminate your resume, and don’t do anything else that is out of the ordinary. You want your resume to stand out but not for the wrong reasons.
You should take a look at resume samples from LiveCareer so you know what a good resume should look like. You may have more or less information than the samples. However, be sure that you use a traditional format that includes your contact information at the top and headers to include the various subjects.
Include Everything
You need your resume to be comprehensive. This way, an employer can decide whether you’re right for the job. There are a few things that should always be included:
- Relevant experience
- Work history
- Education
- Skills
- Licenses and associations
Once you include the basics, you can decide to add a few other items, too, that may be relevant to the position that you’re seeking. For example, you may want to create a sub header that covers career highlights or awards that you have won. However, if it doesn’t pertain to the job you’re seeking, it might be best to leave it off.
Provide Current References
References should be listed at the bottom of your resume or make them ‘available upon request’. If you’re going to list specific names of individuals with phone numbers or e-mail addresses, be sure that they are current. If you’re still listing people you mowed lawns for or babysat for 10 years ago, it’s not going to help you.
Include Social Media Information
Social media information should be listed, especially LinkedIn. Many employers will look to see what connections you have, how many you have, and even read some of the posts that you have made. LinkedIn may be the second-most important tool after your resume to determine if you’re capable of doing the job.
Facebook, Twitter, and other social media information should be listed if it’s relevant to your position. If you’re searching for a social media manager position, showing that you have an active Twitter following can be critical. If you have experience as a graphic designer, including a link to your YouTube channel can be a great way to show off your portfolio.
It’s important to provide a thorough, relevant resume to employers. However, you want to keep it to one to two pages. No one wants to read through a booklet to decide if you can do the job. Your resume will be what will help employers decide if they want to pursue you. Only after they like what they see on paper will they call to schedule an interview with you or to offer a position to you.
One thing I don’t get is why too many interviewers avoid having deep, meaningful or sensible discussions , delving in or exploring aspects of work history. They ask instead an open question “tell me about yourself” when they can see information in front of them. But maybe that is more of a UK thing. It’s almost inspiring how some people can be so 1 dimensional and stupid but hold the jobs they do… or it is depressing. But, I guess a business owner wants his tools to know their place, without getting ideas so I suppose you have to accept that hiring managers are just tools.
So on that note, is still a resume important when hiring managers are too lazy to read them properly?