Resumes: The harsh reality is that most HR people and recruiters (and hiring managers) are busy these days. They probably
spend between 2 and 5 minutes reviewing a resume the first time (read that, 2 minutes). If they like the resume at that point
it will get further attention. So what is important (not necessarily in order):
- Key words. Not a key words section, but make sure that the important key words of your career are there in
your resume (read a few advertisements and you will find them).
-
Dates. If you don't put them in, you are not fooling anyone.
-
Job Titles. Titles are very important for screening. If the title at your company is different than other companies in the
same industry, you may want to include the alternate title somewhere on your resume.
- Companies. (This may seem obvious, but... )
-
Give a one line description of what the company you worked for does. For example: Rollform
Manufacturer of Office Furniture and Automobile Bumpers. Nothing is more annoying to a hiring manager
than having to look up what the company does to see if you have the experience in office furniture manufacturing that they
are specifically looking for. - Education. Include degrees
and whether they are complete.
- A very brief summary of the
highlights of your career.
- Keep the resume to 1 or 2 pages
that are most relevant to the position you are trying to get. Do this without leaving out any history.
Trust me. These are the things that 95% of all people looking at your resume are looking
for.
Gaps in resumes. Again, my opinion; don't worry most people
have them these days. Try and put a reason to the dates. I.E. My last company locked the doors one day and left town...
