Anyone have any tips?

Be honest

I suggest (if you have the money) to hire a professional to write your resume. They know exactly what wording to use to get your resume noticed.

If you can't afford to do that, I suggest that you view samples of "good" resumes and "bad" resumes so that you will know see some examples.

Also, use a format that is easy to read. I used to work at a Kinko's and I saw some HORRIBLE resumes. Everything from misspelled words to spacing issues, etc.

Also, use PLAIN FONTS!!! Fonts like Times, Helvetica, Arial, Garamond, etc. are always good choices. You never want to use script or wild fonts. Resumes should always look professional. Also, avoid colors. It makes them throw your resume in the garbage very quickly. Try to avoid using photos (unless it is apart of the job requirement). Additionally, keep your resume to the standard 8.5x11 size. If you try to do any other size, it may have them throw your resume away.

Most resumes are now scanned and input into a database. Most companies rarely read hard copy resumes. That's why it is so important to use a format that is easy to read. Also, you need to try to find a format that will look decent in both plain text as well as Rich Text format. That way, you will get a good idea of what it will look like if you happen to upload it to their website.

daPrettyman said:

Thanks for your detailed information!
Very helpful. Thanks

peacenlovealways said:

No problem.

I forgot to mention that you should use a nice light paper for your resume. Dark papers don't scan well. It's always best to use white or off white. I also recommend that you print your resume on a laser printer. If you can't, set your ink jet printer to the highest quality setting. No one wants to read a badly printed resume.

Be specific. Gear your resume for the job to which you are applying - especially, in the first line of your resume.

Try to fit it on one page. And don't forget a standard cover letter to use as well.

What field are you applying for? For academia, and I would immagine most clerical jobs, keep it a plain and simple statment of your education and relavent past employment. I hate reading CV's which include your frst job as a waitress and lists hobbies like reading

daPrettyman said:

The wording that will get your resume noticed are the same words that appear in wanted ads or job listings.
Look at what job you are going after. Tailor your job experience to include as many nouns from the job listing qualifications section and want ads as you can.
If there is room to add a personal statement on a one page resume, add them there.
You may have to create more than one resume to tailor to different fields.
But don't pay someone to do that for you . . .
Just go look for job postings even if they are old.
Once you know what words will trigger a search hopefully someone will look at your resume.

I was an admin for over a decade and see the good the bad and the ugly.

General tips:

Keep it to one to 2 pages. Unless you are going for an CEO type of position 1-2 pages is sufficient. Make sure you have enough content to fit on one page.

Objectives - People always lose out on this. While not super important, sometimes you can knock yourself out of the running. Looking for blah blah blah can single you out esp if it's NOT tailored to the job. If you can't think of one, leave it out. Personally, I use a Summary. A Summary is a small paragraph that outlines who you are and what you have done in a snapshot. The resume should speak to the summary. It's your "marketing blurb" where they get to know you and who you are right away.

Keep it simple. No strange designs, weird font, strange paper. Unless you are a designer, I'd keep it simple. No colored paper either. A nice white or cream will do. In this day and age, you really don't need to worry about stationery.

Keep it in a format everyone can read...Word and/or PDF. Word is Preferred.

One thing that would irk the hell of me...You reply for a Executive Admin position, yet have no experience. Or to a Product Manager 4 (6 figures here folks) and you get resumes from people who are a waitress. Come on! Did you not read the description for the job? To apply to simply apply is really annoying for those that need to read through that dreck!

There are plenty of templates out there to use...so use them!

Your resume is the key in the door. Don't make people guess what you did, they should have a good idea what your skills are.

Just want to add...

If you are applying for an admin assistant position and you have misspellings or format issues, you might as well not apply.

GetAwayFromMe said:

You should do a cover letter that is general enough so you can change only one paragraph to tailor it to any resume you send.

You want a paragraph that reviews you overall qualifications and sums up your resume in three or four sentences. Hard to do but a lot of people won't and again this saves the reader time who can see that they want to speak with you further or that you meet their initial qualifications.

I included salary history and references at the end of my cover letter. It saves them from a follow up contact asking for it, which for someone busy or lazy, it should be easier to at least give me an interview.

I also make sure it's less than a page.

Also remember what a resume is for, to get you a job interview. A good cover letter should get your resume in the interview stack.
[Edited 1/19/09 12:55pm]

SUPRMAN said:

Not sure these days about a cover letter. Everything is electronic, so cover letters sort of waste time. Also when applying online you only get one upload.

I agree that a paragraph "summary" is a good idea. I have replaced my objective with a summary.

I never give salary information (either history or expectation) unless asked for. It tends to be more of a deal breaker than a maker. I want my employer to hire me for my merits not my bottom line. I think in an interview is where the salary question should come up from either side of the table.

I also don't include references as it takes up space. I put "References available upon request" There is no reason to give out that information unless you are in the door and interviewing. I always bring a copy with me, but never include it up front.

superspaceboy said:

this hit home for me because many of the admin specialists that I've come in contact with in the military can't spell, read, or have no real knowledge of sentence phrasing to save their lives...which is bad enough, but when some of them are the first line of review for evaluation reports it can get brutal...

superspaceboy said:

You've no idea how many applicants I've seen who've been on a collage course....

superspaceboy said:

How would you recommend a person gear their resume toward achieving a management position when they have not been a manager before?

daPrettyman said:

If you have experience in that field, my suggestion would be to point to your potential to succeed as a manager based on your past experience....that's really all that you can do....

daPrettyman said:

Any supervisory experience however brief, successfully hitting targets, team leader on anything however small, working unsupervised or under your own direction, etc, etc.

mcmeekle said:

Basically, describe your ability to carry out management duties without stating that you are a manager. ie highlight your management skills in a non management position.

PREDOMINANT said:

Cool, thanks guys. I will update my resume and do that.

It amazes me that the people that my company hires for management positions. These people claim to have experience in management, but I can't tell from their skills.

I think formatting is everything. Play around with different resume formats and see which receives the most responses. Also, I would suggest leaving educational info off, if you have more relevant job info to include. No need in including the fact that you have a Bachelor's AND a high school diploma They can assume that you ATLEAST have that or a GED.

Also, if you are looking for a position as an Engineer or whatever, don't add the "waitress" gig on you resume. They don't need to know that


Oh, and have great "references upon request"


Smooches;)
[Edited 1/19/09 14:31pm]

daPrettyman said:

outside of the states, that would be A4 210mm x 297mm

daPrettyman said:

Well, I'd say you probably shouldn't. I don't want to hire a manager w/out manager experience. Not saying they can't manage, but you do want someone with proven experience. If you have any management skills, put them in the summary.

if you are a graphic designer, your resume needs to be pretty goddamn stylish. I bound mine like a square book. I got 4 jobs with it sending it out to places (who weren't seeking any new employees) within 5km of my house, and I only needed one job!

PREDOMINANT said:

My partner has this job and he's a "Facilities Coordinator". He takes care of the Building Maintenance, Helps coordinate office events, and is the go-to guy for computer trouble. Um, I'd say that is an Office Manager with a different Title. When he goes out to apply for a new job, I've told him to go for Office Manger type of positions and to state on his resume he is an office manager.

ZombieKitten said:

Fuck that, any more than 2 sides of A4 and you are lying or applying for the wrong job.

PREDOMINANT said:

aha!
it was not A4, it was small!
and spaced out in a very classy way
white space sells in my industry

ZombieKitten said:

How much is white space these days?

PREDOMINANT said:

I remember my boss and I going through applications, and pretty much the ones that did something nice, had excellent typography, good paper etc, were the ones with some spark. Which you have to have as a graphic designer, since presentation IS everything (shiny glint off white teeth)