When it comes down to improving your resume there are as many opinions on how to do it as there are people seeking jobs. If you have determined that your current resume is not working and needs to be improved consider these ten suggestions:
- It may seem simple but is often overlooked make sure the cover page of your resume has the following points of contact information: name, address, phone number and email address.
- If your resume has more than one page make sure the following items are on each page: name and phone number.
- Your resume needs to be flexible. You should only produce what you are sending out each week. If you are applying for a position that you are qualified for you should adjust the information presented so that it’s apparent on the very first page.
- Avoid catch phrases and buzz words. If you think something on your resume is cliché then it probably is. Stay away from inserting smiley faces made out of colons and parentheses
. Techno-Texting-Terms (TTT) such as LOL and OMG are out of the question. - Do not be cryptic. If you took a year off to herd goats in Nepal then insert that time period in your job history.
- Do not try to be humorous (unless you are applying for a position at a comedy club).
- Do not assume the person reading your resume will understand what you are referring to. The object is to become employed and make someone else’s job easier. Nothing is more frustrating than having to interpret the intent of every applicant.
- Never be critical of your current or previous employer, no matter what the circumstances are or were. You never know who knows whom and what will come back to you especially when you are staying consistently within a certain career field.
- Provide extremely accurate job history and personal reference contact information. If the person reviewing your resume cannot find phone numbers they will move on. Ensure that all of your references know that they are on your resume and that they may be contacted.
- If you are meant to have the position you are applying for and you are the right person at the right time if will work out. Follow through on making sure your invoice was received but do not be bothersome.
About Author:
Dorothy Reynolds is a freelance writer and blogger. She’s covered many aspects of business from human resources to guerilla marketing to new technology. She is also passionate about covering retail shopping, money-saving tips such as online discounts from Savoo.