• Online
  Degrees
• Online
  Programs
• Online
  Courses
• Online
  Colleges
• Campus
  Programs
• eLearners
  Advisor
• Articles &
  Resources
• Blogs &
  Forums

Write a Great Résumé

Are You Guilty of These Résumé Blunders?

The workforce has changed quite a bit over the past 20 years. Two decades ago, people would graduate from high school or college, get a job at a factory or local company, and continue to work for that same company for all of their working lives. At the end of their career, they could usually look forward to retirement and receiving a company pension.

Today, things are drastically different.

According to Forbes, the average American between the ages of 18 and 32 will embark upon a job hunt eight times. This figure doesn't take into account the number of baby boomers who decide to change careers. Those in their fifties and sixties change careers an average of two or three times.

Not long ago, employers looked at frequent job changes as a sign that a worker was unreliable. Today, frequent job changes are a common occurrence.

In today's job market, it is important to not only have strong job skills, but strong job hunting skills as well. A well-crafted résumé will best highlight your aptitude.

A résumé is a prospective employee's calling card, illustrating one's skill set to potential employers. However, what may have worked as a résumé when you first entered the workforce may not pass muster today. Here are a few common résumé mistakes we should all avoid, whether changing careers or entering the workforce for the first time.

Omitting an objective?

You may already have an objective on your résumé (if you don't, you should), but does it tell potential employers what you really want? Avoid a generalized objective like "to obtain a full-time job which will utilize my degree in business."

Use strong language and focus your objective toward a specific job, such as "to use my experience and education in business management to lead a successful sales and marketing team." The rest of the information in your résumé should detail why you are the best person to do that job.

Are you highlighting job duties, rather than your accomplishments?

You may have the experience and expertise for the job, but employers aren't going to know that if your résumé reads like a to-do list. Instead of listing the tasks and projects of each job, highlight what kind of achievements you accomplished with each employer.

Rather than "managed a staff of 20," your résumé should detail an accomplishment such as "lead a successful team of 20 marketing representatives and increased sales 40 percent over a 12 month period." This is a tangible asset that would be attractive to any employer.

Think about the specific goals you accomplished and be sure to mention them on your résumé. This is your chance to brag about what a great employee you have been.

"Just the facts, ma'am. Just the facts."

While you should detail what a great employee you are, don't embellish your résumé (this is also called lying).

While it is true that some employers don't bother to check references, it is more commonplace to have full personal, criminal and credit background checks conducted on potential employees. They are becoming a common occurrence, and not only reserved for the high-level job positions. Many companies now require drug testing as a condition of employment.

If your résumé says you were a member of management at your last job when, in fact, you were a part-time employee, this could cost you a job opportunity if a prospective employer decides to check your story.

Are you including too many facts?

It is not necessary to detail every single accomplishment and every single duty you performed at your previous places of employment. In fact, it makes your résumé tedious to read.

Simply hit on the accomplishments that had the most impact (with bullet points, preferably). This will help also help keep down the length of your résumé, which should be no longer than one or 2 pages. No one wants to sift through a six-page autobiography of your work history. Only mention your last ten years of employment, unless the employer specifically asks for more.

Are you afraid of mentioning educational experience?

If you have successfully completed college course work, but do not hold a degree, mention your college work.

The fact remains that you have accomplished postsecondary work and have studied after high school. Simply because the job description says there is a degree requirement, an employer might still hire someone without one. If you have several years of relevant work experience and some extra education, lacking a full degree may not prevent you from receiving a job offer.

You could list your education as "University of Florida, course work in liberal arts" or "Bachelor of Science, Marketing, University of Florida — in progress" if you are indeed working towards such a degree.

You will want to mention any degrees and certificates you have earned, starting with the most recent credential. Not having any mention of your educational history may hurt you more than it helps. It isn't necessary for you to provide a detailed explanation for why you don't have a degree in your cover letter or résumé. Save that for the job interview, if it comes up at all.

Have an old-fashioned résumé?

Most of us are accustomed to the traditional "reverse chronological" résumé format. It's the type of format that lists your most recent job first and goes backwards through your list of employers. That may be fine if you are applying for a job which is related to all of your previous jobs, but may not be appropriate if you are changing careers or applying for a different job in the same career field.

In those cases, use a skills-based résumé format. This type of format highlights your experience that is most relevant to the job position you are applying for.

Here is how you write one: after your objective statement, list your areas of relevant expertise with bullet points, and then mention your accomplishments. Bring focus to areas of your expertise, placing the most relevant experience at the top of your résumé. Provide the dates and locations of your previous places of employment; this information is a good résumé format to use if you have gaps in your employment history, or you are re-entering the workforce after an extended break.

Taking the easy way out?

Some software packages now include nifty résumé templates. All you have to do is fill in the blanks and before you know it — instant résumé!

Writing a résumé can seem like a cumbersome task, but don't be tempted to take the easy way out by using a template. Employers have seen them many, many times, and they are not impressive. If you can't put the work into crafting a winning résumé, how can you be counted on to produce great work on the job?

Are you proofreading?

Sending a résumé chock full of spelling and grammatical errors to a potential employer is not a good idea. It makes you seem sloppy, lazy, and unprofessional.

If attention to detail is important to an employer, then a résumé with spelling errors will be a definite turn-off. It could cost you the job.

Have others look over your résumé for any errors, and do use the spell check feature on your word processing software. At the very least, if could save you some embarrassment at your job interview.

Forgetting the nice stationary?

Printing on résumé paper is an important detail, especially if you are sending it via postal mail. Avoid using paper that is any color other than white or parchment; a professional, clean look is your goal. The paper color of your cover letter should be white with as little texture as possible.

Is it really that important to use résumé paper? A better question is: do you really want to leave anything up to chance?

Using the same résumé for every employer, regardless of the job?

Tailor each résumé for the specific job you are trying to obtain.

Showcase your skills and experience relevant to the particular position you are applying for. Some job seekers make the mistake of using the same résumé to apply for every job that might interest them, regardless of whether the information on the résumé matches the job requirements. A cookie cutter solution will not benefit you when writing your résumé.

Skipping the cover letter? Bad idea.

This is a major oversight for many job seekers. Every résumé should be accompanied by a cover letter.

The cover letter is a way for job applicants to introduce themselves and their résumé. The cover letter should be professional and concise. Avoid rambling about your experience and keep your cover letter to about one page.

If you are sending a résumé by e-mail, include the cover letter in the body of the e-mail, and send the résumé as an attachment to the e-mail, unless the employer requests that you do otherwise.

Last words...

Finally, many job seekers forget about the purpose of a résumé. A résumé is not intended to get you a job. It is intended to get you a job interview.

Not many employers read a résumé, call an applicant on the phone, and say "You're hired!" A résumé is a way for you to get your foot in the door and get a chance to wow a potential employer at a job interview. Remember, a résumé is one of the most important job-related documents you will ever write. Treat it that way!

---

Terrance Lee is a veteran news reporter with more than 20 years of experience in radio and television broadcasting. He currently works in marketing and public relations and is a distance learning student.

We welcome all comments directed to: recession [at] elearners [dot] com.