Don't be so sure that managers or HR people looking at resumes are all that functionally literate, or that they have any idea what a 'modern' resume looks like.
Just be careful to cover your skills/experience/expertise, check for spelling and grammar & try to edit it all down to fit in 1 page.
That's it.
Larkof FL3:45PM June 23, 2012
Look at the comments on most of the articles on Yahoo! to see living proof that most people are just this side of functionally illiterate. If you can put a sentence together well with the correct punctuation and spelling, you are miles ahead of the pack!! I am a paralegal - it can be a very demanding profession on a good day. If I could not interview potential clients and carefully and considerately learn about their problem and whether or not they can pay my attorney, I could cost my boss a lot of time and money. Therefore, in most legal offices people skills are right up there with understanding how the law works. A good command of profession specific terminology and spelling with a healthy dose of grammar will take you far in any field.
Patricia Killoughof TX7:21AM June 23, 2012
You should not have your resume on LinkedIn unless you are in a narrow field of work with very specialized skills. Often times, you want to have the flexibility to customize your resume to each job. Having a generalized one can make you less appealing. With LinkedIn you are already summarizing your work history so why have a "duplicate" resume.
WSof CA2:07AM June 23, 2012
Since many recruiters and HR staff use data base queries to search for candidates, I have to disagree with the author's comment of what to leave off of a resume. Resumes should be tailored to match the job skills mentioned. Assuming of course you can perform those skills. IF job requirements mention MS Suite, 2nd language, etc. definitely add those. Take them out if you are applying for a job that does not mention those skills. Although it may seem dishonest to "tweak" a resume based on a job's advertised requirements, remember a) data queries; and b) people can interpret skills/expertise differently. Ex: Technical Writer, vs. Instructional Designer, vs. Business Analyst. the job requirements may be the same, but called differently from company to company, and industry.
R Byrdof TX5:49PM June 22, 2012
I agree with some of these points but only listing Spanish in my opinion is BS. I have had previous experience with employers liking that I speak a foreign language (other than Spanish). I don't see how the inclusion of whatever other language a potential employee speaks could do any harm...you never know, it may just be that extra variable that makes the difference.
Vitaof CA5:41PM June 22, 2012
My question is should I keep my resume on LinkedIn? I am new to LinkedIn so am not up on the ins and outs of it. I am an older job seeker, reentry you might say. Thank you.
Pat Doyleof IA4:56PM June 22, 2012
I am also worried about indicating my age by listing my past employment. I am 57 and many firms steer away from resumes that show dated work history. How do I state that I have 26 years of legal [secretary] (now-outdated term) experience and most recently I have worked for 5 years as a special education teacher. If I list my degrees (undergrad in Communications 20 years ago and Masters in Education 6 years ago), I am just setting myself up to be rejected because the work history and degrees scream "OLD PERSON". How would you handle this?
Carol Winklerof IL3:12PM June 22, 2012
some say put down your last ten years and other say your last 15 years of work. Well, neither really tells who I really am without giving away my age. I was a freelance commercial artist for 30 years until tecnology to away what so many of us did by hand and little by little my clients closed the depertments that i once worked in. I have been working in doctors offices etc since then, but I'd like to have my creative side known too. How do I do that without going back too far and admitting that I am a Dinosour!!
Right now I am working part time and NEED a full time job and I'm not sure how to sell myself. This is something new to me, as I never had trouble getting ajob when I was younger. It's very deflating.
Kacey McDonaldof NY1:35PM June 22, 2012
Résumé and Cover Letters
General Information
• One inch margins on all four sides
• Show personal contact information to include a good email address
• State a specific job title
• State KSAs (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities) like Word, Excel, SAP, 45wpm, will work overtime
• Show a 10 year work history only
• List your highest level of education with no dates first - make sure the reader understands what education you have
• 1 - 2 pages only
• Double check spelling
• Make sure the employer’s key words are on it
• No dates of birth
• No social security numbers
• No references
• No salary history
• List volunteer jobs as regular work
• Have your cover letter and résumé on computer or storage device and change it each time to target the job you are applying for
• Do not mention military experience & awards if outside the 10 year work history limits
Edwardof GA12:05PM June 22, 2012
The job description may indicate knowledge of Microsoft software such as PowerPoint and Excel should you avoid typing proficiency?
Reader Comments
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Lark of FL 3:45PM June 23, 2012
Patricia Killough of TX 7:21AM June 23, 2012
WS of CA 2:07AM June 23, 2012
R Byrd of TX 5:49PM June 22, 2012
Vita of CA 5:41PM June 22, 2012
Pat Doyle of IA 4:56PM June 22, 2012
Carol Winkler of IL 3:12PM June 22, 2012
Kacey McDonald of NY 1:35PM June 22, 2012
Edward of GA 12:05PM June 22, 2012
michelle of GA 8:56AM June 22, 2012