Resumes

Resume Recommendations

• Create a master resume and commit to keeping it updated.
• Tailor the resume to the role.
• Include all of your contact information including email address, telephone number and LinkedIn profile quick connect.
• Remove the objective statement and replace with a career summary. Your objective is to get the job.
• Start with your most recent job first.
• Include numbers which show success. If you lead a team, state how many people are on the team. Grew revenue? State by how much. Manage a budget? State how large the budget is. Include the size of the market and the number of units you oversee, if applicable.
• Identify career accomplishments not just descriptions of the duties performed on the job.
• Cut “the fluff”. Make your words purposeful.
• Use powerful words such as anticipated, developed, administered, influenced, empowered, achieved, revitalized, negotiated, enabled, produced, transformed, strengthened, motivated, inspired etc.
• Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. Then have someone else proofread it for you.
• Only list extracurricular activities if they directly relate to the position you’re applying for. No one cares that you have worked with fish and reptiles if you are applying for a District Manager of a restaurant company.
• Keep your resume to one, two or three full pages. The length will depend on the level of your leadership as well as the scope and duration of your responsibility with each employer. Avoid half pages. If your resume is a page and half, either cut or add content accordingly.
• We all know references are available upon request. Rather than state that, use that line of the resume for something impactful.
• Add your LinkedIn profile quick connect and keep your LinkedIn profile updated. Don’t have a LinkedIn profile? Get one. It’s free and a great way to network.
• Tell the truth. If you lie, you will get caught. Whether it’s about your language fluency, college education or your dates of employment. Tell the truth.
• Use a common clean font that is easy to read.
• Omit any references to your birthdate, marital status or religion.
• If you’re more than ten years out of college, remove your graduation year.
• Attach your resume to all correspondence with prospective employer or recruiter. Don’t make them look for it.
• Do not state salary requirements.
• Stating the reason for leaving your last job adds no value.
• Omit personal interests.
• Do not include any information that highlights something that negatively impacts your career search.