Reboot Your Resume

Your resume is a sales brochure and you are the product. A crisp, flattering resume that is a good match to positions you are targeting opens the door to interviews.

Resume length varies in different career disciplines. A candidate’s resume with dominantly Federal or State service, is likely to be task-focused and a more lengthy document. For a performer or artist the focus is performances, venues, and awards. However, the majority of today’s employers prefer a one or two page resume --- yes, even for a candidate with high credentials and ten years of experience. Career-related publications or patents should be presented in a separate document.

Although resume formats vary widely and many templates can be found on-line, I highly recommend adopting a format that is not in a “table” and contains as few “controls” as possible. A simply formatted document is more likely to remain in tack during electronic distribution. Using tabs, bold and underline will be sufficient to create an attractive resume. Select Times New Roman or Arial font type and a size between 10 and 12 point. 

The (reverse) chronological resume is still the most frequently requested. It provides job title progression, responsibilities, accomplishments and length of service. The functional resume emphasizes qualifications and competencies; but, an abbreviated chronological list should also be inserted in the document.

How many years? Showcase positions and accomplishments for the most recent 10 years. Don’t create gaps in employment years; however, you can insert a concluding segment titled “Other Related Experience” and list only functional responsibilities. In a formal job application specifi! c employ ment dates may be required; so, prepare a reference document to take with you. Save longer descriptions for cover letters and interviews; but, streamline your resume. 

Strategically select word choices and vocabulary to align with targeted positions and industries. Although your experience can not be altered in your resume, you can artfully select descriptors and phrases re-framing your past experience into the vernacular of future employment.

Learn by researching business websites and position descriptions. Use current industry terminology; but, minimize acronyms in your document. If former job titles were industry-specific, explain it in common language beside the title. Regularly update your resume as your career evolves. In many instances your resume is the first impression that you will make with a prospective employer. Consider making a personal investment and seek the services of a career coach for resume preparation, interview and negotiation skill enhancement.

Joan Hardy Eison is an organizational development professional and performance coach focusing on leadership and career management. Her life-long passion for writing has produced hundreds of training curriculums, a wide variety of workshops, and more than 40 published articles. Joan also provides editing and coaching services to other authors.  She holds a MEd in Adult and Community Education from the University of South Carolina and a BA in Public Relations from Columbia College.

Reset 3 Organizational Development is the consultative art and science of guiding businesses to reset their trajectory and align with performance goals.

Reset 3 Performance-improvement Coaching is tailored to individual needs. The concentration is on strengths and enhanced leadership skills.  A natural by product is an increased self-awareness, self-confidence and ca! reer sat isfaction.

Reset 3 Writing--business and personal. Edits, synthesizes and develops: manuscripts, books, articles, papers, speeches, content for brochures and websites, training manuals, policy/ procedures, soft and technical skills.