I realize there are many options when it comes to writing a resume, but I’m not talking about any old resume; I’m talking about a great resume. There are a lot of requirements for producing a document like that, but in this post we’re only dealing with one—specifics. What Are Specifics? Specifics are what separates…
If you’re using a functional resume, you might be starting out the job search process with two strikes against you. Most recruiters and gatekeepers despise functional resumes. The consensus is that if a person uses a functional resume they are hiding something. Using a functional resume is like pulling your hood up and turning your…
It seems as if every other month someone is writing an article on the “10-second” rule of resume screening—that you only have 10 seconds to get the recruiter or the gatekeeper’s attention. I even mention it in my book, No Mistakes Resumes. I don’t like the way it’s presented in many cases, but I wouldn’t…
Two-Dollar Words Many people think that the bigger the word you use the better it sounds. They seem to equate the number of syllables, or scarcity of word usage to sounding scholarly. What these people don’t understand is that the trick is not to find the biggest word, but the word that works best in…
Resume Killer What Are The Biggest Resume Killers? Resumes are complicated — at least that’s what many people think. But in reality, they are one of the simplest documents to write. Despite being simple, a lot of resumes from qualified people end up in the trash. Why? Sometimes it’s a single item, at other times…
If you want to make a difference on your resume, a real difference, make sure to include these three things. The items I’m talking about are these: #, $, %. The symbols don’t have to be on there but what they represent should. Not every resume will have them, although you need to keep these…
(Most of this is an excerpt from one of the chapters in my book, No Mistakes Resumes.) Your resume should be filled with impact words. Words can be very powerful. Think of the emotions some of these simple statements generate: “I love you.” “I hate you.” “You are so beautiful.” These are simple, but strong…
What To Capitalize On Your Resume Capitalization Many people who write resumes have an inclination to capitalize damn near everything. Perhaps they think that by capitalizing words, those words become more important; ergo, the person becomes more important. (Did I just use the word ergo? I did, didn’t I? Smack me if I ever do…
What Is the Best Resume Format? First, let’s talk about… Formatting Mistakes Note: Part of this I’ve taken from the formatting chapter in my book, No Mistakes Resumes.A lot of people pay no attention to the resume format, but that’s a huge mistake. Formatting deals with the readability of your resume, and that affects the…
Responsibilities Dilute Your Message Responsibilities take up a huge part of most resumes, and that’s unfortunate. I say unfortunate because the space most people devote to responsibilities could be used much more effectively.If you have a compelling reason to list responsibilities, follow these few rules: Keep it simple. Keep it short. Keep it relevant. The…