Resume Advice

While a resume should convey the larger picture of how you would be an asset to a particular company, it is details that are often overlooked that can help you best achieve this goal. No matter what format you use, whether it be chronological, functional or a combination format, never overlook the purpose of a resume.

A resume should be a unique presentation of your skills. With hundreds of applicants, it is important that your resume stands out from the crowd. While templates can give form to a resume, that form will often be a cookie cutter image that looks like everybody else's resume. Yes, the content of your resume can still distinguish you from the other job applicants, but using a template can make your resume visually blend into the others reviewed that day. You must make a great first impression if you want interviews.

  Resume Advice to Consider

Of course, page layout is not the only detail one must be concerned with. There are other small pieces of resume advice that can make a big difference. One of these details is dates. There are some dates that are very important to mention. Especially if you are using a chronological resume, dates of employment need to be present. No explanation or the absence of dates can often send up red flags, which could in turn result in your resume being discarded.

On the other hand, there are times when dates should be left out. For instance, you should never put the year you graduated on your resume unless it occurred within the last 5 years. Also, in most instances, there is no need to include more than 20 years of work experience.

Overall, you should always keep in mind that your resume should convey your accomplishments, not just your job responsibilities. Using your company's job description does nothing to showcase your value. Instead, you should focus on what you have accomplished, outcomes and results that are specific to you.