Free Tips: (continued)

The resume is written only to get the interview!

• Keep the resume to one page, two at most.  Most firms don't want to be bothered reading about you if it takes too long.

• Don't use an "objective."  Objectives are the exclusive province of recent college graduates who are entering the workplace for the first time.

• Make your resume "accomplishment-oriented" and keep it that way, consistently.

• Chronological resumes are preferable to functional ones because the format is more traditional and easier to follow.  Use functional resumes only when you must minimize gaps in employment and erratic career advancement.

• Take particular pains to avoid typographical and grammatical errors.  As a reflection of intellect, a resume with typos or poor grammar may be discarded on that basis alone.

• Don't lie. The CFO of a well-known, listed company, was recently discharged when it was discovered that his resume stated that he had an M.B.A. when, in fact, he did not. There is nothing wrong, however, with "event glorification."

• It is acceptable, perhaps beneficial, to respond to a job advertisement more than a week after it appears.  Your resume has a better chance of being read if it is received in the "trickle" instead of the "flood" of responses.

• Never write "Health: Excellent."  No one has ever written "Health: Poor."

• Always accompany your resume with a personalized covering letter.  This indicates that the job has enough interest for you so that you took the time to personalize your response.

• An effective covering letter should also be short, precise, accomplishment-oriented and end with a request for an interview.  Wherever possible, address the letter directly to the individual who makes hiring decisions.  Avoid addressing it to "Human Resource Department" or "Personnel Department."  Instead, send it to someone you know or, "Hiring Partner."  Ask for the interview! 

• When you respond to a classified or display advertisement, you are usually in competition with hundreds, if not thousands of applicants with similar qualifications.  Therefore, directing a covering letter to a specific individual will bring greater returns.

• Research!  You can find the name of the individual you seek usually by making a telephone call.  If that doesn't work, consult Martindale-Hubbell or other directories which are easily available on the Internet.

• Whereas the resume features accomplishments in your employment, the covering letter should emphasize personal characteristics (tenacity, communication skills, rapid promotions, etc.) and how your qualifications meet the advertiser's requirements.

• Persistence Beats Resistance!  One, two or even three follow-up letters may be necessary to penetrate your target.

• Ignore requests for salary history or requirements.  That request is an attempt by employers to either disqualify you or assume an unfair advantage during salary negotiations.  If your resume and letter are interesting enough, that should be enough to provoke a response.

We wish you good results in your job search effort.  It is truly the resume and covering letter that makes the difference.  Take great pains to make yours "the perfect resume."

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