Outdated Resumes

If you haven’t updated your resume for a long time, there are a few things that you might want to consider before you start.

We live in a high-tech world.  Many companies use computers to pick out which resumes the hiring manager will see.  The actual humans who are reviewing resumes are so busy, they don’t have the time or the patience for anything extra on a resume.

Objectives

Everyone’s objective is to get a new job, find the perfect career, grow, develop, yada, yada, yada.  One of the worst things you can do is have an objective that clearly and concisely states you want something other than the job for which you are applying.  Go ahead and laugh, but I see that all the time.

Instead of the objective section, use a short summary describing what you are very good at doing. Key strengths, technical skills, software and industry experience.  No more than a paragraph describing what you bring to a new position.  Tailored to the job you are applying for?  That’s even better.

References

Have those ready, even for the first interview.  Keep them separate from your resume and be sure your references know you are using their names and keep them up-to-date with your search.  So, as soon as you are asked for them, you can hand them over.

It is not necessary to state “references available upon request.”  It is not an option to not have references.

Color

Art is a matter of preference and opinion. What one person sees as beautiful, someone else may see as dreadful.  Even in the artistic professions, it is distracting to have various font colors on your resume.

Remember that computer that is screening your resume?  It doesn’t care that your resume is “pretty.”  And the person reviewing it may hate the color you have chosen for the font.

Columns, Borders, Decorative Edges, Pictures

Formatting in columns, tables, groups, boxed text may look nice but can cause problems with the computer software that is scanning your resume. It is also distracting for a person to try to read.

The same goes for long intense paragraphs with no white space.  Use bullet points, short sentences or short paragraphs.  Remember this is a resume, not a novel.  You want to tell the hiring manager enough to make them want to meet you, but not bore them to death.

Pictures and logos are also disruptive to the eye. Pictures of yourself attached to or embedded in your resume, should be avoided.  If you have a professional “head shot” on LinkedIn, that is perfect.  In fact, if you do not have a picture on LinkedIn, it can make recruiters wonder what you are hiding.  But it does not need to be part of your resume.

Where to Start

Look for samples of current resumes on-line, use a trusted friend or recruiter to help you review your resume before using an outdated resume to apply for your perfect job, or use a resume writing service.  From DIY to paying for the resume, there’s a wide range of options available.  Remember, you never get a second chance to make that good first impression.