Fri, June 12, 2009 - 3:03:13

Is Your Resume Annoying?

It’s no question that in today’s economy, more of us are looking for work than ever before.  Whether you were recently laid off, have just graduated from college, or are trying to reenter the workforce after a few years as a stay-at-home parent, you’ve probably discovered that this time around, finding a job is hard work.  That’s why, as David Silverman writes in his blog Words at Work, it’s extra important to write “a resume that doesn’t annoy people.”

In our new book, we discuss the importance of proofreading all of your written documents for tiny and potentially embarrassing typos and nowhere could this be more crucial than when you are on the job hunt.  As Silverman explains, with more and more qualified candidates flooding the job market, it’s those who sweat the small stuff who get hired.

That means it’s time to dust off that old resume and take a hard look at it with microscopic focus.  To give you a head start we’ve provided this list of SMALL questions you should ask yourself:

How many pages is my resume? When it comes to resumes, bigger is definitely not better. Many hiring managers send lengthy resumes straight to the trash bin, so, if your answer is more than one, it’s time to start condensing.  (And, no, putting it in size 6 font is not the solution!)

Is it relevant? This tip is especially important for college grads.  When you’re low on experience, it can be tempting to fill the page with every paying gig you’ve ever held, but keep your resume focused.  It will not only showcase you as a more qualified applicant, it also shows you value the hiring manager’s time.

Are there any glaring typos? You might feel silly, but read your resume aloud a few times to make sure there are no big errors, such as swapping one word for another or writing the wrong company’s name in your objective.

Are there any tiny errors? Now it’s time to go through your resume with a fine toothed comb.  Print out a copy and look for any inconsistencies in formatting, bulleting, spacing, and fonts.  Double check your grammar for any little mistakes as well.

Is it printed on nice paper? You might think we are nitpicking here, but there is a reason they make resume paper. After you’ve invested so much time and energy into making your resume a stand-out, why not upgrade your paper from the standard to a higher quality stock?  You’ll appear more professional and make a stronger first impression.  Think of it as “dressing for success” for your resume.

Is it email friendly? These days, most resumes are sent via email, so it’s important to make sure that the documents you send are formatted properly and easily opened by recipients. And don’t forget to scan each document for viruses before pressing send.  You want to give potential employers a good impression, not a computer meltdown!

Most importantly, just remind yourself that you will eventually find your next job.  The odds are indeed tough, but they are by no means insurmountable.  Step-by-step, with a lot of effort and a little confidence, you can harness the power you already have inside of you to achieve big things.

Posted by Linda and Robin