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Resume Writing: Common Myths and Mistakes
Posted in: Blog by admin1 on July 14, 2011 | No Comments
Just like any other part things or concepts in the world, myths have always played a significant role. In resume writing, there are also certain myths and mistakes that go with it. In the following paragraphs, the different myths and presumptions on resume writing are presented.
- Resumes should not exceed two pages.
This is mostly true but for some people, especially those who have been exposed to a lot of work experiences, a 2-page resume is not enough. However, resumes with many pages such as 4-5 pages, are less likely to be read. Put yourself in the shoes of the employer or the hiring team coming across a 5-page resume. Would you still want to read it when you see that there are a hundred more resumes you have to go over? I think not. The best move regarding this issue is to keep your resume as brief and concise as possible. Keep it the shortest form possible without you missing any detail. This will increase your chances of getting a spot in the interview list.
- All resumes must contain clearly stated objectives.
One important reminder in making a resume is to keep it audience-focused. It may be true that resumes should have objectives but this depends on the type of resume you use and what you want to communicate to your employer. You have to know and understand what the employer is looking for and whether or not you qualify in meeting his/her needs. The use of objectives is a controversial issue, but it serves as a basis for the employers to have a glimpse on what you want to achieve when you get the position. Because of this controversy, a better and more effective alternative has been presented in the form of qualifications summary. Through this, you are able to present to the employer what you promise to commit and serve him if he considers putting you in the job.
- Work history and experiences must be thoroughly described and explained.
If you are in the process of making your resume, you have to include your work experiences and history. However, you also have to filter out everything and choose only those that are relevant to the current job position you are applying for. This means that you may choose not to present all the occupation and work experiences you had in your resume if you find it insignificant to your application. Once you have filtered out what to include, do not bother or even attempt to describe each job in its minute details. You would only disappoint the reader of your resume. If they would be interested with your outline of work history then you are one lucky being.
- Resumes must only contain information that happened in the past 10 years.
It is ideal that you put the latest or most recent information under your work history but it is not mandatory. If you had a very excellent and life changing work experience that took place more than 10 years ago, then you may choose to place it in your resume (provided that the information is true and valid).
- Resumes are said to contain personal information and in depth discussion of your life.
Resumes are used as formal and professional presentation of yourself to the employers. Except for the most vital biographical information such as name, age and educational attainment, there is no need for you to jot down other personal information in your resume.
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How to Make an Effective Resume
Posted in: Blog by admin1 on | No Comments
Expectedly, companies and employers receive a great volume of resumes. Due to this happening, employers now make use of a standard resume tracking system. This allows many tasks in candidacy tracking and it also heightens the possibility for them in finding resumes they received months or years ago. In line with the improving and changing technology, it is vital that you keep your resume in a certain format that shall pass the standards and interpretation of the said system. This is the reason why it has been referred to as a ‘scannable’ resume due to the hardware that scans the resume paper on the computer. Nowadays, careers and resumes are passed and received through electronic mails then are parsed and stored in a database.
The moment your resume has been stored electronically, employing companies use certain keywords to filter out applicants whose resume match with the available positions in the workfield. In order to find their resumes, employers usually type in keywords through Boolean search.
Since technology plays the main part in reaching your resume to the company you have applied for, it is important that you keep your resume format very plain and at its simplest. In other words, you have to avoid graphics, font styles, and other style effects which will only turn your resume to an event invitation card. If such practice is done, expect your resume to be not accepted by the scanner. A resume not properly and correctly formatted is more likely subjected for reject, thus won’t appear in a search when employers match keywords. When that happens, you have totally missed your chance on landing to interviews.
So now, let me give you some tips on how to write and format an effective resume. This will indeed help you out in increasing your chances for job interviews and hopefully, have the position you long desired.
First thing you have to remember is to use a simple font. This means that you have to do away with the decorative and stylish fonts. The most common use fonts for formal letters or papers and generally considered as the standard fonts for business communications are Times New Roman and Arial. These font styles are the safest to use when writing an effective resume. Another thing you have to consider is the font size. Do use fonts of 10-12 points which are known to be the norms in resume making.
Next, you have to avoid using pictures, tables, and other graphical representations in your resume. Resumes that have these rarely make it through. If there any information that needs to be in that format, consider an appendix to come along with your resume or linking a site that you have created which stores the necessary information. If your job requires you to show off your skills such as that of a web or graphics designer, you may also attach or distribute copies of your works during your interviews.
Be keen in the words you use in your resume. The keywords that you use in your resume will resolve how the employer tracks down your resume. Most of these keywords used are job titles, skills and responsibilities, acronyms, buzzwords, computer languages, educations and certifications.