Resume ~ Tip of the week 7/13/10

When creating your new résumé, don’t list minute details of every task you’ve done in every job you’ve had. Recruiters don’t have the time or patience to sort through irrelevant information. Summarize your job tasks in quick, short, and to-the-point snippets. Here’s an example of a significantly overstated task:

Created three databases consisting of employee names, addresses, and salary information for review by senior managers and vice presidents. Sorted information into reports alphabetizing employees by name and then listing employee salaries from highest to lowest to assist Payroll when printing checks and to help Human Resources when conducting job audits.
Note the length of the sentences and the detail provided. This example contains 56 words, roughly 50 more than needed.

Let’s look at this example more closely. The candidate’s ability to create databases is the information that needs to be conveyed. What the databases were for, who benefited from the reports, and why the reports were needed is irrelevant to the reader. Since a résumé has limited space, it’s much more effective to write, “Created numerous complex databases.” Remember, the person reviewing your résumé is only interested in what you can do, so be sure to tell them. If they want more details, they’ll ask you for them during your telephone screen or interview. Make sure you use the space on your résumé wisely and fill it with the information needed to get you that interview.

SHORT, SWEET, FACTUAL, and TO THE POINT!

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