As we all know, putting together a resume is one of the most frustrating parts of a job search. Updating an already written resume can really confusing as well. Recently, I was attempting to update mine, after I graduated. I was so excited to be able to write that I earned a degree in journalism, instead of “expected to graduate in May 2011.” But the rest of the updating was horrible.
How do I describe my duties at my last internship? Do I brag? Or should I be self-deprecating? Play up this aspect, or that? How do you know what to say and what not to say?
My mom was very helpful in this aspect. She handed me a newspaper article from the Los Angeles Times that was two years old. Luckily, it answered all of my questions, and had some pretty good visuals.
Talk about your accomplishments, not your responsibilities. Don’t say, I had to photocopy documents; talk about how you personally reorganized the office mail system for maximum efficiency. Talk about how you were responsible for four employees, and show how you helped them double their sales figures in just two months.
Focus on numbers. So when I tell people that I was responsible for writing articles for the internal newsletter, I say, “I wrote articles for a publication that had a readership of over 15,000 people.” When you talk about how you helped double sales figures, what the figures were before, and what they were after.
Be relevant. Don’t include your interests, like cooking or reading. That has no bearing on you job performance, so don’t include it.
Be specific. Like I said, focus on numbers and results. But don’t just tell them what you did, tell them how. “Saved company $5,000 per year by negotiating with providers.” And be sure to keep it short. Hiring managers are busy people. They don’t have to time to read pages upon pages. Especially for recent graduates, use only one page. You might be discounted right off the bat for the length.
Some other practical advice, besides what to put in the resume, was included in the article. We all know that we live in a digital age, and most application processes are online. But if you make it to the interview stage, be sure to have a paper copy of your resume handy. Have multiple copies, just in case.
While Elle Woods might have caught her professors’ attention with her scented, pink-papered resume; these days, that’s not the most practical approach. When applying in the corporate world, they aren’t going to appreciate your nod to Reese Witherspoon’s acting work. Keep things simple and professional.
What do you like to see in a resume? Is there anything you can’t stand to see? Let me know!
