Whip Your Resume Into Shape
14 tips to help you land the job
In this highly competitive job market, your resume must stand well above the rest. Today's Chicago Woman spoke with three Chicagoland career experts – Arlene S. Hirch, a career psychologist and founder of the career counseling specialists Arlene S. Hirsch & Associates; Diane Wilson, a career counselor, coach and founder of Grimard Wilson Consulting, Inc.; and Julie Monti, vice president of the staffing firm The Larko Group – to discover the best tips for making your resume work for you.
1. What’s the most common mistake people make on their resumes?
Arlene Hirsch: Giving too much information. Remember, it’s a marketing tool; be selective. It’s about prioritizing and organizing your information to meet your objectives.
Diane Wilson: Not giving your resume one last review. It’s really important. Read it out loud or have someone else review it.
Julie Monti: Being concerned about length and not content. Pay attention to what’s written. Add your own personality, your voice. You cannot be afraid to toot your own horn.
2. How long should a resume be?
Arlene Hirsch: I never believed one-page is the best for experienced people. If you’ve been in the workforce for a while, the resume should be one and a half to two pages with the most important information listed on the first page.
3. Is the Objective Statement still relevant?
Diane Wilson: It’s good for kids who are still in college or graduating, but for someone who has been into the workforce, keep it for your cover letter.
Julie Monti: The objective is to get the job! If you have a full resume, you don’t have to start with a summary. If changing careers or new to the workforce, you might consider an objective statement – but it has to be personal, “Here’s how I’m different.” It’s hard to do in two to three sentences on a resume.
4. In terms of organization, should education go above job history?
Arlene Hirsch: Education can be listed on the second page because employers will look for it anyway. If you have a recent degree or your education is your top selling point – a wow factor – you’ll want it upfront.
Julie Monti: If you’re not a recent grad, put your education toward the bottom. Don’t leave off the year you graduated. There’s nothing worse than thinking you’re meeting one person and finding someone else. Embrace your age.
Audrey Leon is a Chicago-based writer specializing in all things related to the Windy City.
PAT WATERMAN Posted on 16:57, Jan 21st 2011
Julie Monti - I can guess that you are still young enough to embrace your age in this marketplace, but I would suggest not giving that kind of advice until you have the experience to know what you're talking about.