Know what information to include, and, more importantly, what information not to include. Be consistent. Use white space wisely. These are things that can make or break a resume.
The job market took heavy, unexpected hits after Sept. 11, making competition even stiffer for dwindling jobs. Now more than ever, a fine-tuned resume is crucial.
The average employer sees about 5,000 resumes a year, according to www.campuscareercenter.com, an online database of entry-level jobs and internships for college graduates. That’s 13 resumes a day every day of the week.
Looking at that many resumes, employers might trash your otherwise acceptable resume for small errors you didn’t even know you made. So, here’s some advice.
Don’t include personal information like your age or your race. It’s illegal for companies to solicit personal information, so many companies ignore resumes that include it, to avoid lawsuits.
Marcia Hunter, executive director of Ace Personal & Career Development in Memphis, said employers often think resume writers who include personal information are ignorant or negligent of the law.
“Personal information is almost like a bribe,” Hunter said. “Employers think you offer it to get brownie points or get your foot in the door.”
Run the spell check. Even better, get someone to proofread the resume.
“Typos stand out like a sore thumb,” said Kelley Morice, vice president of client services for Conaway Brown, the Memphis advertising agency that handles the Memphis Grizzlies’ account.
Do your homework. Don’t address cover letters to “To Whom It May Concern” or the Human Resources department. Morice said she’s gotten cover letters addressed to no one, or, even worse, letters where the applicant misspelled the employer’s name.
Keep it simple. Don’t clutter the resume with useless information.
“You want to make the resume readable and business-like,” Hunter said.
Don’t go overboard on boxes or graphics. Hunter said she doesn’t advise people to use graphics at all. “You don’t want it to become a cartoon,” she said.
“White space helps,” Morice said. “Not too much, but it’s easier on the eyes.”
