A clear objective reveals that you are focused and creates a positive impression. The qualifications section sells you in ways that the job description alone can't do. The section summarizes your strengths and experience and sets the tone for what the reader will discover about you. Training demonstrates growth and proficiency.
Job descriptions must always be filled with results. Results sell you to an employer and reveal much more about your potential than duties alone. The job descriptions need to be short and concise, highlighting key points. Short job descriptions invite the employer to read thoroughly and help maintain interest.
Confidentiality
Employers who receive your resume will rarely inform your current employer. Even if they know your boss, they understand the importance of confidentiality. We can say that only if your boss or company has a reputation for firing people for "disloyalty," should the steps listed below even be considered. If you are truly concerned about confidentiality, your options include:
- Write "Confidential" at the top of your resume.
- At the bottom of the resume type and underline, "Please do not contact employer at this time."
- Replace the name of your present employer (and possibly your next-to-last employer) with a description such as, "A major manufacturer of automotive parts," "A Fortune 500 Corporation," or "A National Retail Chain."
- Utilize an executive recruiter (headhunter). A recruiter will sell you to an employer over the phone without revealing your name and will send your resume only if the employer is particularly interested.
Salary
Salary history and salary requirements should virtually always be omitted from a resume to avoid giving anyone a cause for eliminating you.
Want ads frequently ask for desired salary or salary history. The safest bet would be ignoring the requested information. In this country what a person earns is one of the most personal and confidential bits of information we possess. Not only are you giving away your bar gaining position when you state your current salary or salary requirements, but you are giving private information to people you don't even know.
If you feel compelled to acknowledge the request, you might simply write, "Salary is negotiable."
Relocation
If you are seeking a position with a national company, you'd better be prepared to relocate. Since many people are unwilling to relocate, a statement under "Personal" or "Additional," stating "Willing to Relocate," will make you stand out in a positive way. If you don't have a personal section, merely type it in at the end of the resume.
Reason for Leaving
Everyone has a reason for leaving a job, but the resume is rarely the place for stating it. Invariably an attempt to explain the reason will simply raise more questions than it answers. Save the explanation for an interview where the issue can be handled much more effectively. The only time we must ever mention the reason for leaving is if the company or department moved out of state or the company went out of business. Even then it's best to mention it subtly, so that it just seems to be a part of the resume.
Abbreviations
Avoid abbreviations that may cause confusion to readers who are not familiar with them. As a rule of thumb, if you are certain that everyone, from the personnel clerk who may screen the resume to the person with power to hire you, will recognize and understand it, then consider using it. Keep in mind, however, that words are more visually attractive when spelled out. For this reason one should prefer spelling out the names of states, particularly in the address at the top of a resume. In the employment section we sometimes abbreviate the state, using the Postal Service's two letter abbreviation, if that is the only way the name of the company and city/state will fit on one line. The key is to be consistent throughout the resume. Some exceptions: "B.A.," "M.A.", and "Ph.D." are preferred over spelling them out.
Know the Tradition and Language of Your Field
Learn what is traditional and accepted for resumes in your industry or field. There may also be certain formats which are most accepted and expected in particular fields. When you find that is the case? Go along with that tradition unless you have a compelling reason not to.
Also, use the language of your field. If this is a new field to you, read the trade journals or books on your field to learn the nomenclature and buzz words. If you weave this language into all of your communications - resumes, cover letters, and interviews-the employer will be more likely think of you as a member of that profession.
Creative License
In some ways the advice about resumes follows tradition, in some ways it does not. A conservative, tried-and-true approach often works best. This, for example, is why off-white paper is recommended. At the same time you are always encouraged to be creative. Can you think of something which might just give you an edge over your competition? When you come up with an unusual idea, ask yourself, "Will it work for me; can I pull it off with my personality?" An approach tried by someone with an artistic, flamboyant, personality might be readily accepted, while that same thing attempted by a more conservative, traditional person would not. If you are about to try something rather unusual or "far out," get the opinions of others first, or try it out in a few cases to see what kind of response it gets.
Stragglers
A resume just does not look good with only 2-5 lines on the second page, so if your resume ends up with a few lines on the second page, you have several options.
You can:
- Cut out some less important points to shorten the resume to one page;
- Reduce your top and bottom margins (and possibly on the sides) to get it on one page; or
- Increase the margin top and bottom and narrow your lines, so that page two has at least six lines.
The format is essentially the layout of the resume. Throughout the resume there needs to be a balance of white space and text. There are literally dozens of formats with dozens of variations. If you have seen one that you like, and feel it would do a good job of presenting your background, by all means use it. If you do not have a preferred format, you cannot go wrong if you use the format used in the sample resumes. It is time tested and well accepted.
