Your resume is your calling card. Long before you reach the interview stage, you are judged by your talents, your affiliations and what you can offer an organization.
While you want to cover all of the above points in your resume and cover letter, you don’t want to go overboard. TMI (too much information) is never good for anyone, and the job hunt is NO exception. Prevent yourself from getting looked over or tossed out for providing information that isn’t necessary.
Each hiring manager has a preference as to what should be on a resume, but the following are a few items all would love for us to leave off:
- Pass on the Objective – Plainly speaking, your “objective” is gaining employment. Most employers and hiring managers already know you are looking for a company that allows you to “grow” or to use your “creativity and experience.” Yes, yes… they know. Unless you can pinpoint it specifically to the job for which you’re applying, a generalized objective doesn’t do you much good.
- Trim It Down – Your resume doesn’t need to be three or even four pages. Two pages is sufficient to communicate your experience and message. Most HR managers and recruiters take one minute or less to decide if they want to continue the discussion in an interview. Make your resume relevant to the job you want.
- Clubs and Groups – No one really wants to know your Dungeons and Dragons user name or if you are chairwoman of the PTO unless it is directly related to the job you are going after or to your work experience. Of course, this is at your discretion, so tread carefully when listing your affiliations.
- Additional Paperwork – Unless it’s asked for when you’re submitting your resume, leave additional references, awards, certifications and transcripts out of the equation. If the hiring manager needs more information, it will be requested. It’s not necessary to list on your resume or cover letter that “references are available upon request”. HR managers make sure to get references if needed.
- Computer Skills – If you’ve sent in your resume via email or fax and it’s typed, you can skip your computer skills. Computer skills and office skills are assumed for nearly all hiring managers. Unless you have specialized skills and the job description specifically asks for those skills (for instance some graphics software, fundraising, cms, database experience), you don’t need to list these.
The rules have changed a bit when it comes to what to put on resumes. It’s important to stay informed and current on trends and tips on resume writing so you are sure to put your best foot forward.
Image credit: Jake Levin
Last updated on August 7th, 2009 at 03:13 pm
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