Top 3 Things That Get Resumes Rejected
Contrary to popular opinion, there is no 1 resume format that works across all industries and positions.
An effective resume is one that highlights unique skills and accomplishments, and clearly demonstrates your suitability for the position being applied for.
An INEFFECTIVE resume almost always suffers from one of the following: 1) CONFUSING FORMAT/STRUCTURE First impressions COUNT.
If your resume does not attract a reader's attention within the first 10-20 seconds, you chances of obtaining an interview become slim-to-none.
A huge part of that comes down to 2 things: clear formatting and an effective structure.
While loud graphics, flashy sidebars, and other visual tweaks do attract attention, they do so for all the wrong reasons.
Don't try a reader's patience by placing obstacles between them and your work history.
Use a standard resume format, as well as a widely-accepted font such as Arial or Times New Roman.
A solid resume structure is a simple one.
A succinct opening stressing key skills (ABSOLUTELY no "Objective" section please!), a work history demonstrating diversity and progression, and a brief closing section or two listing education and advanced training credits.
That's it.
If your resume doesn't succeed across these 3 areas, or if it's clogged with extraneous sections, it's time for a re-write.
2) LACK OF FOCUS One size does NOT fit all when it comes to resumes.
If you're submitting to vastly different positions spanning multiple industries, you will require more than one resume.
Research the positions you're submitting to, and make sure your opening stresses in-demand skills, your work history backs them up with concrete successes, and your closing lists pertinent credentials.
A targeted resume has the power to GREATLY shorten your job search.
Invest the time and energy to get it right, and don't hesitate to seek out professional counsel.
3) UNNECESSARY INFORMATION Keep in mind that the goal of a resume is to present an OVERVIEW of your work history, not list every single aspect of every position.
Withhold the details of why you got laid off from your last position or conflicts with senior management.
A good rule of thumb: if it doesn't DIRECTLY relate to the position you're seeking, leave it off.
An effective resume is one that highlights unique skills and accomplishments, and clearly demonstrates your suitability for the position being applied for.
An INEFFECTIVE resume almost always suffers from one of the following: 1) CONFUSING FORMAT/STRUCTURE First impressions COUNT.
If your resume does not attract a reader's attention within the first 10-20 seconds, you chances of obtaining an interview become slim-to-none.
A huge part of that comes down to 2 things: clear formatting and an effective structure.
While loud graphics, flashy sidebars, and other visual tweaks do attract attention, they do so for all the wrong reasons.
Don't try a reader's patience by placing obstacles between them and your work history.
Use a standard resume format, as well as a widely-accepted font such as Arial or Times New Roman.
A solid resume structure is a simple one.
A succinct opening stressing key skills (ABSOLUTELY no "Objective" section please!), a work history demonstrating diversity and progression, and a brief closing section or two listing education and advanced training credits.
That's it.
If your resume doesn't succeed across these 3 areas, or if it's clogged with extraneous sections, it's time for a re-write.
2) LACK OF FOCUS One size does NOT fit all when it comes to resumes.
If you're submitting to vastly different positions spanning multiple industries, you will require more than one resume.
Research the positions you're submitting to, and make sure your opening stresses in-demand skills, your work history backs them up with concrete successes, and your closing lists pertinent credentials.
A targeted resume has the power to GREATLY shorten your job search.
Invest the time and energy to get it right, and don't hesitate to seek out professional counsel.
3) UNNECESSARY INFORMATION Keep in mind that the goal of a resume is to present an OVERVIEW of your work history, not list every single aspect of every position.
Withhold the details of why you got laid off from your last position or conflicts with senior management.
A good rule of thumb: if it doesn't DIRECTLY relate to the position you're seeking, leave it off.
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