Any time the topic of
resumes comes up, invariably the conversation turns to the appropriate length
of a resume, too long with too many pages seems to be a concern. I suggest that
if you have a lot of applicable experience, and if it requires more than a page
or two, so be it. But there are ways to conserve space, measures you can use to
determine the best way to get the most out of the document meant to open doors
and give you a chance to then impress, in person.
The fact is that many
people have a lot of needless stuff on there, either because it is a part of
the resume template or they think it is necessary. Let’s consider a few of
them.
OBJECTIVE
This is an optional
item, but if you think it is necessary, keep it short, real short. People
wrongly assume this is where they can impress a reader by using flowery words
to set themselves apart. This is not the space or method to do this. If you
need more than one sentence to express your Objective then write a cover
letter.
Here are some examples
of overused and meaningless phrases:
“…I enjoy a challenge…”
“…where I can maximize…”
“…I can utilize my
expertise…”
“…problem solver…”
Would you be even
applying if you didn’t possess these traits? And don’t worry if you don’t have
these catchy little (worn out) clichés – no one is going to assume that you don’t enjoy a challenge or that you don’t want to maximize something and, if
you possess expertise, it’s listed elsewhere in your resume. Likewise, if you
are a problem solver it will be exemplified with your ACCOMPLISHMENTS. Don’t
take up space stating the obvious, save it and elaborate at the interview.
Furthermore, if you don’t think the organization with which you are applying is
a top- tier, world-class, exceptional, well-established,
growth-oriented company, you wouldn’t be applying; brown nosing won’t
increase your chances for an interview.
INTERESTS
This is another
potential space saver because it’s not necessary. I recognize it is a
humanizing feature and, in reality, most people are hoping a hiring manager
shares the same likes, making it more likely to secure an interview, which is
the time and place for this when they suggest, “So tell me about yourself?”
And last but not least,
a totally unnecessary space taker-upper is, REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
Well, of course they are! It’s not necessary, leave it off. Adding Hamburger
Helper increases the volume of content but it doesn’t make it any better; you
want 100% prime cut meat without empty filler.
If the purpose is to
save space and construct the most effective resume, the items I’ve described
above can only distract from the good stuff you want them to see. Your resume
is meant to represent you as a document listing your qualifications and
accomplishments, as it relates to your work and career in a manner that will
attract attention. Sadly, in the current period that is more likely to mean key
wording, which you must also consider because a software program is likely to
be the first reviewer of your resume when it is received by human resources. But at some point in
the process a real person will read it and you want it to have teeth, with facts
and figures, accomplishments and qualifications that subliminally scream out to
the reader, see this person!
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