Writing a stronger resume

It’s shocking. Research shows that the average hiring manager takes less than 30 seconds to read the first page of a resume, about 8 seconds to scan the next, and never turns to the third page. What does this mean? It means you have to pack the first page with punch—and load your resume with the right keywords if it’s going to be Internet-searchable.

Best practices
There’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ resume. Every employer and hiring manager is bound to have slightly different expectations. Many still prefer a chronological resume that starts with your most recent position and works backward. Others prefer to see a list of achievements in a functional resume format. While there’s no perfect way, these tips for the following common resume sections will help make yours most effective:

YOUR NAME

On your resume, give the name you commonly go by. For example, if you use ‘Beth’ but your full name is ‘Elizabeth Semple’, write: Elizabeth (Beth) Semple.

ADDRESS

If you can, give a main number and an alternate. Make sure your voicemail message is appropriate—and check your messages often. Always include the area code so callers don’t have to guess when they dial. If you’re applying for a job from out of town, include a local address to demonstrate your commitment to moving. It could be the address of a friend or relative; it’s important to show you have a means of being there.

CELL

Include your cell phone number if you have one. Answer promptly when it rings—and in a professional way.

E-MAIL

Include your email address as well. More and more often, employers are getting in touch via e-mail. Again, be sure to check often. (And when you reply, be sure to use spell-check and appropriate e-mail etiquette, including a salutation and proper closing.)

Briefly describe your key skills and attributes at the top of your resume. This gives fast readers a clear idea of what you’ve done, helping them form a positive impression. This is a moment where you should put your strengths forward without reservation! Think of your key attributes and include them in your description.

Don’t state ‘Career Objectives’. These can be narrow and might turn off a potential employer. Better for you to get a call and turn down a position than not be called at all because you unintentionally limited yourself.

Always mention software you know how to use, as well as your language skills if you are bilingual in English and French.

EXAMPLE

Dedicated, detail-oriented Administrative Professional with three years’ experience in business writing, secretarial and meeting planning. Key strengths include:

• the ability to plan and coordinate large-scale events including contract negotiation and management
• extensive use of software including: Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• expertise in creating short and multi-page newsletters and brochures
• strong English-language skills

Also called ‘Career History’, ‘Professional Experience’, ‘Relevant Experience’.

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE

Start with your most recent employment and work backward. If your current or most recent role is not relevant to the one for which you’re applying, put it under the subheading ‘Other Employment’. If earlier experience does pertain to the new position, label it ‘Relevant Experience’.

Other tips to remember:

• Always put work experience ahead of academic. Include your academic history first only if you have minimal or no work experience. If you have more than one year’s experience in the relevant field, lead with it.
• If you have more than 10 years’ experience, emphasize the last five to 10 years and give less information about the earlier.
• Give specific dates with month and year, if you can. Citing the year only can make it seem as if there are gaps you’re trying to hide.
• If you have space, include a one-line description of the industry you worked in for every past position. This helps readers have a clearer sense of what you did.
• Include job titles for your prior positions. If the title used by your employer wasn’t quite accurate or easy to understand, consider adapting it. For example, if you were an Administrative Assistant but your title was Director of Administration, go with the former. The senior title may have been appealing at the time but might not reflect your skills and experience.
• Describe your duties using active and achievement-oriented words. List duties as achievements when you can.

EDUCATION: List relevant college, university and other courses. If you have completed a post-secondary diploma or degree, you may decide not to include high school on your resume. If you do include high school, be aware that by citing the year you graduated, the reader will narrow down your age quite closely.

COURSES: List no more than five relevant professional-development courses (such as two-day and half-day workshops, etc.)

These are not commonly included anymore. Add them only if you know it’s in your favour to do so (e.g. you’re a hockey fan and you’ve been told the hiring manager is as well). There are pros and cons to the decision.

• PROS: By stating a few interests you share more about yourself, which can lead to a more extensive conversation with the Interviewer. Further, your interests may demonstrate that you are an appealing person who seeks work/life balance.
• CONS: You can’t always know how your personal interests will be perceived. For example, to say you “enjoy shopping and dancing” or are “addicted to reality TV” may not appeal to all readers. Be aware that overemphasizing interests can raise questions about your commitment or ability to fit work in.

If you do include interests, list just two or three and choose those that have the most common appeal—such as reading, computers, golf, etc..

These also are rarely included now. You do not even have to say, “Will be provided on request,” as it’s simply common practice to do so.

EXAMPLE