Avoiding résumé blunders

Apr 28 2008 by Print This Article

If you have had it with your job and there just doesn't seem to be anyway to fix the situation you're in, it might be time to get your resume in order. But since it may have been years since you last looked at it, what should you avoid? This piece by Anthony Balderrama over at Careerbuilder.com has a few things to keep in mind.

Number one, try not to forget the company you are applying to. Don't think you need to have just one resume for all purposes and be comfortable with tailoring each resume for each company.

Second, realize that your best bet is to put your resume online. Therefore, become comfortable with the use of "keywords."

Third, Bladerrama writes, "an advantage of updating your résumé regularly is that you can not only update your skills and accomplishments but also its format. For example, just five or 10 years ago most résumés included an objective at the top. These days, the career summary has taken its place." Four, never forget to proofread. Nothing turns an employer off than spelling and grammar errors faster.

Five, resist the urge to fib. No matter how clever you think you are, telling even the smallest lie can get you into big trouble.

Six, in Balderrama's words, "make your résumé visually appealing by using bulleted lists, plenty of white space and subheadings. Also, avoid fonts that are full of distracting swirls and colors. It doesn't matter how well-written your résumé is if no one wants to read it."

With those ideas in mind, you stand a pretty good shot at getting that new job. If you do it right, you might even get the job you've always been dreaming about.

Older Comments

Another couple of points

The first ten words you write must grab the interest of the reader, a bit like a newspaper headline.

Your resume should start with a Profile of yourself written in the third person (i.e. as if someone else has written it)

Make sure you have a section on 'Scope of Positions Held' and 'Functional Skills and Competencies'

There is a practice document on my website with some examples of positive statement you can edit use. (its free)

Ric orglearn

Richard Townsend Beijing