Resume Writing Tips and Myths
When writing a resume many people think that the more information the better, this could not be further from the truth.
What you should remember is less is more. Short and sweet is the key. Or let's put it this way - if you can get them to ask you more, then you are almost in the door. After all, there is no point in offering an interview to someone if you already know everything there is to know about them. So by cutting down, it gives you more of a chance for a face to face interview, which gives you the chance to put a bit more of your personality forward, giving you the chance to shine.
Firstly, there is no need to put in every single piece of information ever held on record about you. Your name, address, contact telephone number and e-mail address is enough. Providing more information means that if your resume falls into the wrong hands then it makes it easier for people to commit fraud in your name. Also if your the other side of about 45 to 50 years old, it may reduce the chances of you being interviewed for particular positions.
For education you should include any high school and further education that you have received. Even if this includes things like on the job training, anything that shows you are willing to put in that little bit extra.
When it comes to employment history, you should also be as precise as possible when it comes to dates worked with each previous employer. This is due to the fact that they have the right to contact these previous employers for references and also to ensure that your resume is accurate. My best advice on this is to be as honest as you can be, after all it would not look very good for you if they found out that you lied about the length of time that you worked there, or even that you worked there at all!
Always put down the tasks that you undertook in previous roles, for example cash handling, dealing with inquiries, carrying out research. The more responsible you sound to a prospective employer the better. If they believe that someone else is willing to trust you, then they may just be too!
When explaining the reasons for leaving a previous employer, never be negative about them. This does not show you in a good light. It makes you sound untrustworthy and like you would be more than willing to bad mouth them at your next interview. And lets face it, being bad mouthed by a former employee is not exactly what any company wants. It gives them negative coverage and puts off people they may want to work for them in the future.
For the final part of your resume, always include something on a personal level about yourself. Put in your hobbies, proudest achievements and goals. It is harder to say no to someone if you see them as a person rather than just another resume to be reviewed.
Remember when sending out your resume, not everyone will reply to you. Do not be disheartened with this. Just keep your head up, send out more copies and stay positive. I am not sure if this works for everyone, but I always found that hand delivering my resume got me closer to an interview. This is because companies see that you know where they are and that you are not just sending them off to random places.
