You may think that your resume is sharp looking, but are you confident it’s going to help you stand out from your competition?
* Showcase yourself at the right level. I review a lot of resumes and more times than not, the resume reflects the job candidate at a much lower level than what they really are. Use strong verbs like: managed, supervised, led, orchestrated, etc.
Sometimes less is more. You don’t need to include every job role you’ve ever had on your resume. When you keep lower level jobs on your resume, it brings your whole career level down a notch. And conversely, when you delete some of those lower level roles and focus on those jobs where you had more responsibilities and more significant accomplishments – you’re perceived at a level higher.
* Use the correct format. There’s a chronological format, and there’s a skills-based format. Be sure to use the format that showcases you in the best way possible. Also, if you’re applying for a position posted on an on-line job board, like Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com, then make sure you use the text only format.
* Always be truthful. The last thing you want to do is to overstate what you’ve accomplished and get into a job that you’re unqualified and inexperienced. Also, don’t be embarrassed if you have any gaps in employment. It is completely normal to have gaps. Life happens. Hiring managers understand this. If you took a break for more than a year, then just list the years and write next it, Career Break.
For more juicy tips and help from our resume writing pro(!) to make your resume stand out from your competition, visit our resume tips page!
