I believe in keeping resumes simple. They should tell what you do or have done, who you've done it for, and the results (accomplishments) you have generated. If you have included those three things, everything else is window dressing.
So let's start with keywords. I would ask this: Why do you need to be concerned if each job summary/description explains what you have done? If you show it to a third party, a family member, etc., and they don't know what your job is, then there is a problem, and keywords aren't going to fix that.
As a recruiter, I started preaching back in the early 90s how much I love keywords. Why? Because most resumes go in a database somewhere until someone searches the database for those keywords. So what does that person typically get? Someone who knows how to use keywords but might otherwise not be particularly qualified. Then what happens when that resume shows up on the hiring manager's desk because the admin person who sent it hasn't really been taught what they are looking for? It goes something like, ''Run a new ad or call a recruiter.'' That is why I love keywords as a recruiter.
Why should you be concerned with something that has a very small impact on your search? If 70% of jobs are found through networking and 12-15% are found through recruiters (who aren't going to be bowled over or impressed by keywords), that means that, realistically, 10% or less of the opportunities are going to occur when you submit a resume upfront.
I will say my standard line once again: ''Forget the job ads. Call the hiring manager and start networking.'' Those are where your best chances of getting hired exist. Then the resume becomes a reference point, not the foot in the door.
I have one final word on keywords. There must be a group of people out there who think hiring managers and most HR people are dumb enough to get excited based on keywords. Wrong!! Like a good recruiter, they are simply looking for an easy-to-understand explanation of your job(s) and what you did for your employer.
Let's talk about wording. My first thought is that a resume should reflect you. This is like someone wearing a $1,500 suit to an interview, while everything else in their closet is a $300 suit. (I was going to use $1,000 and $200, but that was before current gas prices.) Don't use words that have to be looked up in the dictionary (unless you are applying for a top PhD program), if you normally talk fairly ''simply.'' In fact, don't use them at all. They can convey a sense of arrogance. Good professional PR writers and English ''experts'' will tell you to keep it basic, simple, and not use too many words. In fact, go back through your resume at least twice and see what words and/or phrases you can eliminate. (Maybe I should follow my own suggestion).
This is not to say there aren't ''power'' words that can add impact. There certainly are. You can find lists of those on the Internet. In fact, a former PR person did one of the best resumes I ever saw. I had seen the resume in its original form from a candidate, and it was very good. I was surprised by how much the PR person's use of power or impact words ''pumped'' it up even further. The professional didn't change anything except for that. (And before you write to ask, she no longer is in the business.) But then again, she was a professional PR person and was paid for years to write PR.
After you review your own resume two or three times, have someone who is good in English, like an English teacher, review it for spelling, structure, complete sentences, etc. That is basic.
I am going to talk briefly about your career summary and objectives. I don't particularly believe in either one, but I don't go ballistic if someone insists on having them. Here are some reasons, though, that I don't care for them myself:
- A career summary is not going to tell me anything I can't find in the body of the resume. If it does, there is something wrong. It also does not tell me why I should hire you. It only talks briefly about you. I don't care. I am hiring for results.
- If you are applying for a job, certainly you are interested in that job unless you are a serial application filler outer. So why do you need to tell me your objective?
- An objective can be limiting. For example, you might say, ''looking for an opportunity within a large company as a civil engineer.'' Would you turn down an excellent opportunity with a great company, though, if it had a little bit different twist on it? By putting in an objective, you are potentially limiting the company on positions they might consider you for.
- An objective is all about you, not about them. If you want to put an objective on a resume say, ''I am a proven salesperson who would like to work for a firm where I can be the number one producer and hit 300% of quota every year.'' Now that will make someone sit up and pay attention.
Here's Wishing You Terrific Hunting,
Bill
PS: I once read the suggestion of putting keywords all over your resume using white type. I am truly curious. If someone has tried this or would like to try it, I would like to know the results.
About the Author
Bill Gaffney has 17 years of experience as an executive recruiter and career coach. Bill can be reached at 937-567-5267 or wmgaffney@prodigy.net. For questions to be considered for this column, please email askamaxa@yahoo.com.
