Resume Tips!

[KSigkid]

Ok....my resume is two pages flat - and I've kept it as concise as possible; I've only put down about half of my work experience, and everything applies to my career path. As much as I try, it still comes out at two pages (if kept at a reasonable font)

Now...is this going to be a huge problem?

[DHgirl]

If you're looking for entry level positions, some companies trash resume`s in excess of one page. Are you describing everything you do in too much depth? You don't have to make everything you do sound earth-shattering. I know some-people who list job despcriptions/accomplishments for clubs/societies they are in. If I held a title, I list that as a one worder description. That I ran meetings and organized events is implied and obvious--therefore unecessary to include. I have been compiling a resume book for a student professional society that I'm president of, and every person who has submitted a resume over one page has NOT needed two. Get someone else--older/more experienced than you who has been in the proffessional world--to look at it . Right off, they're going to see things they think are either irrelevant or redundant. (I had my dad take a look at mine, he hires people all the time, so I really listen to what he has to say.) You can go to two pages when you have years of experience.

[James]

I know someone with 25 years of proffessional exerience, with all that entails, who's resume came out to exactly: One Page.

If you are still in college or just a few years out and you are going beyond, One Page, try harder.

Or lets put it this way. Make your resume: One Page. Just do it.

[KSigkid]

I'm going to see someone in the career office this week...it's weird, I've kept things as short and sweet as possible....but I'm going to need help in keeping it down under two pages. I think my problem wasn't the depth that I described things in, but the number of jobs that I listed.

I guess this is why they have the career center at schools. Thanks for the advice.

[DZHBrown]

I have always put my sorority and leadership positions held on my resume. Through the sorority, I actually gained more "work" experience and leadership than through any job I've ever had. I guess my question is what position do you put on there? And as an alumna, I continue to work my way up through regional position....do I list those, as well?

Heather Brown
Delta Zeta

[ZTAngel]

If you have one, put at the bottom of your resume "portfolio available upon request". I, as well as many of my friends, have received many phone calls for interview requests based on that. Employers love to see examples of previous work. In my portfolio, I have my awards, writing samples from both school and my internship, and other important documents. It's great if you're nervous during an interview because it can get you and the employer to open up and talk about your experiences.

[AlphaSigLana]

As a JMC major the worse mistake you can make is to misspell someone's name.
I have been too scared to write my resume because I don't know what to write. UGH!!!!

[cherub]

Another tip - make sure your resume is scannable if you're sending it in to a larger company or through email. If you don't know if the company uses a scanner, best thing to do is call and ask for the HR department and ask someone. Better to ask and know than assume.

For scannable resumes, take your basic resume, convert all text to a TrueType font (Courier, Arial or Times New Roman are standards) and remove all special formatting like bolding, italics, bullets etc. If your resume can't be scanned, it won't matter how many buzz words you use.

Always send a cover letter, even when applying through email. You can attach you resume to the email but some companies won't accept attachments. Again, you can call and ask or leave some space after the letter text and then paste in your resume. You can use the chevrons to make sure people keep reading, like
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