Rattled Resume Readers

I read a lot about how to create the most effective and efficient resumes. I want to be able to advise the students who seek my guidance with the most up-to-date information. Yet it seems that almost weekly I am reading something new about what recruiters and hiring managers expect from resumes. Some hate objective statements, others love them. They used to prefer action verbs, now numbers are ranked higher in importance. Cover letter no cover letter? And all of this is decided in a mere 20 seconds or less. It can be mind boggling. So what’s a person to do? Here are some tips I generated after reading a rather depressing blog about how overstressed and overwhelmed some recruiters and hiring managers are when they pick up or open your resume document.  I believe if you employ these tips, you're on your way to creating a resume that will be read.


1. Be truthful. Resume readers have seen it all. They know fluff when they see it. They read right though half truths. Represent yourself in an honest and forthright way and don’t be afraid to blow your own horn (you need a job) – just be truthful.

2. Attention to detail. Resume readers don’t have time to sort around through 100+ electronic documents that are all called resumefinal.doc (you should always name your resume document with your full name in the title). They become more and more irritated when they see you have not taken the time to proofread and create a PERFECT document. And talk about ticked…when they try to call and get your old cell phone number that you disconnected or a crazy wacked out voice mail that you thought was funny or cute. I can just hear her say, “I don’t have time for this.”  bye-bye!

3. Professional and perfect in every way. Some readers are looking for a reason to whittle down their pile – what will it be today. A handwritten rather than typed address on the envelope? Your email is too cutesy? Snowman stamp vs. the standard? Too many files to open in your email? The file is zipped and they don’t have time or energy to deal with it?

4. Focus on the top 1/3. Most readers have less than 30 seconds to scan for key elements. Don’t bury your special skills, unique strengths, and potential value deep in your resume and cover letter.

5. Write to the skimmer. Readers will not look at every detail and word on your resume (yet somehow a spelling error or layout error stands out like a sore thumb).  They might first look for job titles or academic degrees or job skills. Use the job ad and information you can find about the companies priorities on their web page to determine what they are looking for to fill the job and fit into the company (then read item 4 again).
Well, that’s a start. It’s not an exhaustive list of tips by any means but it’s what came to mind for today. I’ll continue to address resume issues in the coming weeks. If you have specific resume questions, be sure to ask and we’ll chat.

~Mikki Jeschke, Career & Academic Advisor