We know that there are endless tips out there for writing the perfect resume, but Five Point Capital would like to put in its own two cents. The job market is tough and every little bit counts, so here are our tips to helping you land the job you want with the perfect resume.
Unfortunately, when many people go looking for resume tips, they are looking for the perfect cookie-cutter resume format—one that says “put your name here and the dates of your last 5 jobs here, print, and you’re done!” While this would be extremely convenient and easy, print-and-go resumes are all but useless in this economy. Resumes must be tailored for the individual, for the industry to which one is applying, for the specific job to which one is applying, and must include that extra special something to get you noticed. You can be sure that someone else is applying for the same position and that no matter how qualified you are for the job, they are just as qualified. So what will bring you out on top?
In South Coast Today, Brian Boyd provides a few rules that would be good for all to follow. First, keep it brief. Unless you are a top-level executive or applying for an academic or medical job, your resume should be one page. Second, make sure to tailor the resume to the job description. If the job description says that the company is looking for someone who is X, Y, and Z, your resume should make it perfectly clear that you are indeed X, Y, and Z. The job interview is not the time to show the hiring manager that are qualified for the job—the resume process weeds out those who are right for the job from the ones who are not.
The New York Daily News suggests taking this concept a little further. Do not just show that you are qualified for the job, but make sure that everything on your resume is fresh, up-to-date, and relevant. If you are a student, it is fine to include things such as extracurricular activities and internships, but if you are in your fifties and have held top-level positions at your most recent jobs, you should omit things like student internships and working with technology or concepts that are now obsolete.
One thing that most hiring managers and HR professionals will agree on is that you should never pad your resume. Brief and relevant is always better than long and full of fluff. So instead of padding your resume with computer skills when applying for an outdoors job or summer work experience from high school if you are over the age of 25, “pad” your resume with your accomplishments. The number one rule from the New York Daily News for writing a resume is “show, don’t tell.” Everyone knows what kind of work a receptionist, assistant, salesman, or bank teller does, but hiring managers want to know what you did personally. So do not just say “I answered phones,” but instead say “I answered between 20 and 30 phone calls a day as a receptionist for three top level executives, and provided customer service for calls regarding complaints or questions about our product.” Padding a resume with accomplishments and personal details is what turns a resume from a list of job descriptions into an individual’s career biography.
Besides these tips and the resume basics (no typos, readability, easy-to-read font, contact information, etc.), today’s job market means you have to go above and beyond. In the same way that you must be willing to make your mark in a job interview, armed with a flawless appearance, firm handshake, and pleasing personality, you must do the same with your resume as well. Make sure the appearance of the resume is appealing, but not tacky or over-the-top. A large picture of you in a business suit shaking hands with the mayor is unnecessary, but high-quality, monogrammed paper would not be out of the question. An objective section that is not wordy but gives an individual flair is a must, but be careful to avoid giving a personal biography or any information that might be deemed unlawful to know during the interview process (such as age, marital status, or details of appearance). Companies aren’t allowed to hire based on these factors, so do not give them a reason to throw your resume out for legal reasons (more details on this issue are given here in tip #6).
Finally, give in and join LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and any other social networking site that might give your hiring manager an additional glimpse into your life. As this Wall Street Journal article points out, Facebook is not just for the younger crowd. As always, do not put anything into your profile that you would not want your manager or boss to know, but do not risk losing the job to a younger candidate just because you are unfamiliar with the world of social networking. Networking can only help!
We here at 5 Point Capital hope you find these tips helpful and hope you can create the perfect resume when looking for your next job. Just remember—keep it brief and relevant, and back up everything you say with an example. Once you have the perfect information down on paper for the job you want, go that extra mile to make you and your resume stand out. Then prepare yourself for a stellar interview. Good luck!
