Resume Advice

Writing an Effective Resume

• Point of View: Hiring managers – and recruiters – tend to move quickly as they assess resumes. When writing your resume, always look at it from their point of view.   Ask yourself some key questions: What do they want to see? – and include it. What is irrelevant to them?  – and delete it. What will develop interest and excitement about you as a potential candidate? Keep in mind that reviewers often use resumes to screen people “out” rather than “in.” So, the first person looking at your resume for a specific job may only be working off a criteria checklist and is not always the person doing an interview.
• Length: We recommend that you keep your resume to a maximum of two pages. If it is any longer, you risk losing your audience.
• Language and Style: Use clear, concise terms with active words that emphasize your strengths (e.g. accomplished, created, enhanced, launched, negotiated). We suggest that you opt for brief points or bullets rather than a narrative style.  And, avoid initials and jargon.
• Content: Please do not write a novel. Be factual and succinct, and aim to encourage further interest in your application or an in-person meeting. Also, it is vital that you are as specific as you can be, using numbers or percentages to illustrate achievements. Your resume should tell prospective employers everything that might interest them without wasting their time.
• Editing: Proofread for typos, spelling and grammatical errors and then ask someone else to double-check your resume for you.  People do notice mistakes – even the little ones – to the detriment of your application.
• Formatting: Use a clear, legible format on good quality plain paper. Only use colored paper, borders or design effects if you work in a creative field.  Keep plenty of white space, so do not attempt to cram extra info onto the page.
• Sections:
  • Contact Information Heading: Present clear identifying information, including your name, address, and all telephone numbers and email addresses. An ideal location for this section is on the top right side of your first page, so it is instantly visible to someone flipping through a pile of hard-copy resumes.
  • Career details: Start with your current or most recent employment and work in reverse chronological order.  Anything more than 10 years ago can be summarized into a couple of lines.
  • Achievements: Give plenty of thought to what you have achieved that will make you stand out and will indicate the benefits you can bring to the role.  Provide key details and be prepared to expand on these in an interview.
• Personal details: Provide only relevant information here that supports your candidacy for the particular job. Include education, if not in a separate section, memberships, language and technical skills, and other topical interests.
• Key Spots: Consider the placement of facts and sections.  The location with most impact and visibility is the second quarter of the first page, so don’t waste it.  Similarly, think about what you place in less significant spots because readers’ interest typically wanes by halfway through page two.
• Honesty: It is the best – and only – policy here. Do not try to enhance your experience or qualifications. If your experience cannot stand up to scrutiny in the interview, your chance of getting the job drops to zero.