I say "in a recession" because there now is really a difference in how employers view resumes they receive. With more resumes pouring in than jobs available, an updated and more appropriate for the times resume is a must.
Instructions
1. The number one mistake in most resumes is irrelevant job history. Very few employers want to see a history of every job you have preformed. I recently looked at the resume of a professional grant writer who had at the top of his list "Bus boy, dishwasher, landscaper." These were his first jobs ever, some 30 years ago. What do these jobs have to do with his desire to find another grant writing position? Nothing, and they distract from his resume and worse they were at the top of his job history list.
2. Know what positions you will accept and only include similar jobs you have held in your resume. The exception would be something outstanding in your job history that could shed good light on your resume. Many standard job applications only ask for the past three jobs held. There's a reason for that: that is about all they need to know to decide if you are qualified or they want to interview or hire you.
3. Do not ramble in a resume. Get to the point and leave it at that. The fact your Senior High School music class went to Paris for a week 20 years ago, is not of particular interest to an employer unless you are applying for a job as a musician. You can however list music or being a musician briefly in hobbies or special interests section at bottom of resume. And this could get you hired! See Step #9
4. Do not put references in your resume who are going to be neutral or possibly negative about you when a perspective employer calls. You might be surprised how honest some people feel they must be when called upon to give a reference. All of a sudden they feel a great responsibility and unless they just loved your work they might cast a negative tone on your resume. Best to include only references you are sure about, or just write: References Available Upon Request.
5. Busy employers scan a resume first, so put your best information at the top. If you are applying for a job at say Home Depot, and you have 10 years experience as a carpenter then you should say it as soon as possible in your resume.
6. If you email your resume, wait a day or two and if you have not received a confirmation it was received, email and briefly ask for confirmation. If you mail it wait a few days, no more than a week and try to confim it was received.
7. Unless you are applying for a high-scale corporate job skip the fancy resume paper. Do not submit a resume with crossed out information and penciled-in corrections either.
8. For most jobs a one page resume is impressive. No one wants to read a dissertation of your job and life history to hire you. Get to the point. A little about yourself, relevant job history if possible or the last three jobs held, and a few simple sentences on your interests or hobbies.
9. Did you know many people are hired for jobs based not so much on the job history in their resume but rather some other factor? I was once hired for a great government job primarily because I had majored in philosophy in college and the woman who hired me told me her husband had also majored in philosophy. So . . do not assume you might or will get hired for a job because you feel you are likely the best qualified. Qualified can be subjective, not objective.
10. The job market is currently very tight so the more resumes you spread, the better your chances of getting a job.
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