Resume Considerations

A resume is your professional marketing tool used to secure interviews. There can be several reasons why a resume does not get attention, generating lackluster interview results. Check your resume to see if any of the following need to be adjusted:

1.     Contact

A resume should include your first and last name, telephone number, and an email address. Some professional resumes also include additional contact information such as a location (city and state), LinkedIn URL, or other social media profile details. 

Check for incomplete contact information (a common mistake). If the contact information is located within a header section of the resume, that can be an issue because some applicant tracking systems (ATS) are unable to scan header and footer information.

Avoid using text boxes for contact information. Many ATS can not read text box content.

2.    Job Goal, Introduction, and Keywords

Under the contact information, include the job title for the position you are trying to secure. This helps to create an ATS job title match. 

Introduction sections are a great place to highlight a few important career achievements and valuable contributions. Include achievement details so readers quickly understand your value and the results of your contributions.

Keywords aligned with specific job skills are great to include in a resume introduction for ATS matching. For example, “Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification” for some job opportunities will be a differentiator and is a series of keywords. 

Avoid general phrases such as “successful leader” or “strong work ethic” because these phrases say nothing unique and are overused. Do not include a section with an objective statement which is outdated and self-serving.

3.    Experience 

Work history is typically the most robust resume section, listing relevant work in chronological order. Not all work needs to be included in a resume. Previous career contributions that are irrelevant to a job goal can be deemphasized or omitted. The experience section can also show volunteer work and contributions. Experience does not mean “paid only” information.

Avoid a job obituary listing general responsibilities and no achievements.

4.    Education & Training

The education section placement within a resume depends on the education relevance to a job. For recent graduates, the education section is usually listed higher within the resume (typically under the introduction section). Career changers who have continued their education or gained new skills to support a job may also list education and training under the introduction section to highlight new knowledge and credentials.

Professionals who have two or more years of experience related to a job with education completed three years prior should place the education section after the experience section.

Did you only attend college for a few classes? Include the course information and the number of credits completed, even if a degree was not awarded. Training and certifications relevant to a job are also helpful to include within a resume.

Avoid education disclaimers or statements explaining why a degree was not earned. Employers will ask you if they want to know more about your education situation. 

5.    Volunteer, Affiliations, and Other Interests

This section can be a differentiator from other qualified applicants. Serving as a community volunteer or board member can be included in a resume to show leadership contributions. Providing one to two sentences about your hobbies and interests can spur positive interview discussions.

Religious, political, or other controversial statements and views should not be included within a resume. 

If you need resume help, contact me to discuss your project.